Rich was everything we wanted in a keynoter. He had a great mix of entertaining stories, light-hearted “icebreaker”-style games that had a point, and a moving conclusion that resonated for a lot of youth. It’s hard to command the attention of a room filled with teenagers, but Rich did just that. Most of them haven’t been truly touched by Christ. Rich’s witness inspires them to open themselves up to a relationship with Christ, and his ability to bridge the gap between the Sacred and secular allows him to connect with youth and speak their language.
- Kevin Driscoll, Director of Youth Ministry, Diocese of Gary, IN
I am writing to encourage you to consider bringing Rich Curran to your rally, conferences, retreats or other youth experiences. It was a pleasure to work with someone so thoroughly professional in his approach to meeting the needs of our young people.
Rich brought a high level of enthusiasm and a presentation filled with content, fun and great stories. All of out high school aged youth as well as the adults left the conference center with much more than a smile. As one young senior girl wrote in her evaluation,
“Rich Curran presentation made me look at myself in anew way. He challenged me to see my faith in a new light and to search for way for me to put my faith into an action mode.” Along with being an outstanding presenter, Rich’s example as a father, husband and as a Catholic youth minister were obvious to all who heard his presentation. I highly recommend Rich Curran knowing in advance that you and the young people of your diocese will be rewarded.- Bragg Moore, Director of Youth Ministry, Diocese of Biloxi, MS
Rich has an intensity, intentionality and focus, which is laser-like. His zest and zeal for helping people connect with Jesus is obvious. He is compelled to bring his A-game and those in the listening audience, know, feel and are MOVED by it.
- Mike Patin, National Speaker and Trainer
I have been telling everyone back here in my parish that yours was the best session that I attended at the whole national conference. I will be looking for the book and for the next time Rich is doing a presentation in this area. Thank you for helping me to see my ministry with new eyes and new strategies!
- Bob Dudley, St. Petersburg, FL
I recommend Rich Curran to you with great confidence! Everyone of us has a different style of communicating and Rich is the best, most entertaining ‘teacher’ of both faith and ministry I have EVER encountered. Whether it be adult youth ministry training or a slightly hardened group of confirmation students, Rich has a way of sharing our faith that is disarming, challenging, entertaining and meaningful. I recommend him highly, knowing the difference he will make in the lives of many.
- Steve Angrisano, Musician and Conference Keynoter
It was an extreme pleasure meeting you and having you minister to our wonderful group this last weekend…The Rally as a whole was fabulous but would have been ever better had you spoken more…Your faith and your passion were very evident throughout!!! Special blessings and I hope to meet and hear you again sometime…
- Patty Ehmann, Director of Youth Ministries & Confirmation, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Colorado Springs, CO
I am still trying to soak in all the events of the Youth Rally in Colorado Springs. What an amazing, fabulous event. I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful I thought you were. I was one of those “Adults” that were watching the kids to make sure all was okay and they were just eating out of the palm of your hand. I wish I had the gift of speaking like you do. I would LOVE to ‘jazz’ the youth. Wow what a gift from God you were to all of us adults and kids. Thanks for taking the time to come to Colorado for the kids.
- Julie Malsam, Parent
Rich Curran was awesome! He had the youth wanting more. His stories and talks were very relatable to them. He spent time with them, outside of the talks, during meals and such, building relational ministry. He was easy to work with on anything. We can’t wait to have him back.
- Michelle Maher, Director of Youth Ministry, Diocese of Colorado Springs, CO
Thank you for coming! Your message was warmly received by our students. I could not believe my ears. They loved your presentation, your message and you…We hope you will come back again in the near future for another strong message.
- Kathy Geffers, Campus Minister, Lourdes High School, Oshkosh, WI
Rich Curran captured the imagination and emotions of the young people and adults that attended our Diocesan Youth Rally. He shared his faith by using interactive, engaging activities which helped our group to see how God is Love in their lives (our Rally theme). I look forward to inviting Rich back to Albany in the future.
- David Stagliano, Associate Director Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Diocese of Albany, NY
For several years now, we have had Rich speak to the Confirmation candidates and sponsors from Milwaukee area parishes, about 900 people. Every year people are talking about his presentation. Rich is energizing, spirit filled and inspiring. He is a game changer!
- Tim Winters, Youth Minister, St. Mary’s Parish, Hales Corners, WI
Rich is a passionate person who evangelizes to the teens at their level and challenges them where they are at in their lives. When we brought him to our youth gathering of 600+ he easily had their attention and kept it throughout his talks and interactive activities. Many of our teens and CORE members still are talking about him months after the event. He is a guaranteed success for whatever you bring him in to do!
- Juanjose Armenta-Aguirre, Youth Minister, St. Luke the Evangelist, Houston, TX
Rich Curran is a man of conviction and integrity. You can see how much he truly loves his relationship with Christ and how much he wants to share that with you. He has the ability to teach his topic and preach his faith at the same time. He’s a gifted speaker that genuinely cares that his message is clear and received well among his listeners. Professional and passionate, you can feel the energy that he exudes. You can’t help but leave one of his sessions ready to serve God and His people.
- Tiffany Swann-Covington, Youth Ministry Coordinator, Archdiocese of Chicago, IL
You have touched my heart and changed my life forever.
- Martha, Age 16
Your passion and energy is such a joy. I look forward to using your tips and ideas to improve the way I parent and live my life.
- John Santago, Parent, Volunteer & Sales Representative
Thank you for speaking to us last week! Once I got home I told my parents all about the day and all you talked about. They could not believe how much I paid attention. As you spoke about making a contribution in life, I started thinking about what contribution I was making. The next day I started volunteering in my younger sister’s classes and it’s a ton of fun.
- Rachel, Age 15
Rich Curran is a talented, thought provoking, and inspirational speaker. He speaks from the heart providing suggestions, challenges, and insights to make Faith come alive! His message on a number of different topics touches groups of all ages; youth groups, families, church workers, and people in the pews. His down to earth approach is practical, humorous, and extremely inspiring!
- Jennifer Schubring C.R.E. – St. Mary/St. Joseph Parish, Appleton, WI
I did not think anyone understood what I was feeling inside… You have given me hope and a reason to keep trying in life.
- Amanda, Age 17
Rich Curran is an outstanding person. But he’s more. He’s an outstanding presenter– a dangerous combination! His message is authentic, dynamic, positive, and encouraging. He has much to offer to both adults and teens. I highly recommend him.
- Frank Mercadante, Executive Director, Cultivation Ministries, Author of Growing Teen Disciples and Positively Dangerous
We had Rich out for our Middle School Rally. Rich was in a word, engaging. Our students were laughing their way right into the heart of the Gospel message. It was fun, affordable, engaging and powerful. Rich Curran isn’t just a speaker, he’s an experience!
- Chris Bartlett, Director of Youth, Young Adult & Campus Ministry, Diocese of Austin, TX
I had the privilege of watching Rich Curran start with a couple of youth from our parish and develop a full scale Youth Ministry Presence in a few short years. Rich is passionately in love with the Gospel message and helping people see Jesus working in their lives. His passion, honesty and convictions are contagious. Any one who hears him speak knows they have witness God’s spirit working. Any amount of time you get to spend with Rich is a blessing in one’s life.
- Fr. Tony Nugent, Pastor, St Joseph Parish, Bradley, IL
Rich is more than just a speaker, he is an enabler of the faith. Rich brings both educational expertise and real life experience to engage youth and assemblies to not only understand faith but live it in the every day. His passion for youth and Jesus Christ is a true witness for all to experience.
- John Angotti, Catholic Musician and missionary…..
Being that Rich is originally from the Diocese of Joliet, it can be hard for a speaker to go back to were they are from, but Rich did a wonderful job with our Rally for Jr. High youth. High energy, plenty of movement and engaging with the youth, were all part of his presentations to the youth. One youth minister even came to me during the event and shared “wow I have known of Rich for a long time and didn’t know how good he was at presentations, you should bring him back again”.
- Paul Mach, Director for Youth Ministry, Diocese of Joliet, IL
Rich’s passion for living life fully is contagious to others. His message and style invites others to find meaning and purpose in all that they do.
- John Donahue Grossman, Speaker and Trainer
Your presentation at the Diocese of Beaumont, Junior High Spectacular was fantastic. Through my nine years as a catechist I have heard some great speakers at this event. Your stories and examples have a great connection to the children, keeping them interested and teaching them a simple, but powerful message. Weaving the Hillshire Farm, Go Meat! piece into the ice breaker was hilarious and a huge hit. Oh how we must be flexible. The piece on Texas was also very funny. We Texians are proud of our heritage, and we want everyone else to know it. Thanks for your passion for your ministry. You left a lasting impression on several children and adults.
- Tim Sudela, Parent
Rich Curran took a group of typically skeptical but willing early adolescents and reached them… really reached them. With only a theme and some time parameters to go on Rich developed two presentations that were right on target. To say he understands young people is an understatement. His high-energy style got their attention, his creative ice-breakers made them comfortable, and his engaging stories and message touched their hearts. His success in connecting with the young people, and the adults present as well was, at least in part, due to the attention he gave to interacting with them prior to the start of the program, during breaks, and after the last presentation. He demonstrated a genuine interest in who they were and what they were into, and then creatively worked some of what he learned into the presentations. Rich is a talented, gifted speaker with a heart for young people and an openness to minister for Jesus wherever He leads. I was impressed with his level of organization and professionalism, his flexibility and adaptability, and especially his enthusiasm for ministry. Through Rich the Lord touched and challenged our young people. I look forward to having him in our diocese again, and I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a quality Catholic speaker.
- Tommy Chatlosh, Director of Youth Ministry, Diocese of Beaumont, TX
Rich Curran is a man of deep faith and convictions. He is a passionate evangelizer who has a knack for engaging his audience on multiple levels. His stories are real. By that I mean the stories come from real life which he uses as a way to make events from scripture and Church teachings come alive. And, there is a depth of wisdom to his message. I highly recommend Rich as a presenter!
- Mark Erdosy, Director, San Damiano Scholars Program, Marian University, Indianapolis, IN
I just wanted to say thanks to Rich Curran for such an inspiring presentation/speech at the Milwaukee Archdiocese Confirmation Meeting in Hales Corners last night. I hope the kids got as much out of it as most of the adults. I wanted to let you know it was a (surprisingly) enjoyable night. I usually dread Sunday evenings…knowing we need to go back to work the next morning. YET your talk was wonderful and hopefully inspiring to everyone there. I truly wanted to share with you the impact that you surely made on many present last night and to thank you for sharing with all of us. Because it seems many people don’t appreciate life or the people they are blessed with until something terrible happens to them. Maybe, just maybe your inspiring talk actually did make that (1 degree) difference with some there…and they will in turn do the same for others in the future. We can only hope! I look forward to trying to find a way for your organization to make additional impacts in areas that I am involved. Either through my daughter’s catholic high school here in Milwaukee or at Marquette University where I work. So many high school and college students can benefit from what you have to offer them. I plan to forward this information on o them in hopes they have a venue to invite you to someday in the future. Thank You so much!
- Carol E. Chilson, Asst. to the Dean, Office of Admissions, Marquette University
Rich has the ability to engage any size group of teens right to the core of reflection. Whether it is a small group of one or two kids, or an auditorium of 500, Rich’s words and genuine engagement captures the spirit and challenges the listener to reach out to their fullest potential, care for others and truly grow in their walk of faith.
- John Schmitt, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, The Church of St. Anne, Wausau, WI
Engaging, Enthusiastic, Convicted – Rich did an AWESOME job at our Deanery Youth Rally! We had over 700 teens in attendance, and he was still able to get everyone engaged in his message. His enthusiasm and conviction helped all of us move our faith “from maintenance to mission.” We also liked that he used games and stories that got the teens involved in his talk! I would STRONGLY recommend him for parish, deanery, and diocesan events!!!
- James Carrasco, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, St. Helen Catholic Church, Pearland, TX