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Catholic apologist and Relevant Radio host Patrick Madrid will speak to friends of Thomas Aquinas College from throughout the Midwest as they cruise the Chicago River on the evening of June 15, 2019. The cruise, which will take place aboard the Odyssey Chicago River, will feature panoramic skyline views, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a keynote address from Mr. Madrid, “The Importance of an Authentic Catholic Liberal Arts Education in our Modern Society.” After the cruise, guests are invited to a dinner at at the famed Chicago Cut Steakhouse.

“For more than 30 years, Patrick Madrid has been one of the preeminent voices in Catholic apologetics,” says Thomas Aquinas College Vice President Paul J. O’Reilly. “We are grateful that he will be joining us for the cruise, and we look forward to hearing his insights on a topic that is dear to our hearts.”

The host of the Patrick Madrid Show on Relevant Radio, Mr. Madrid is the author of 16 books, including the Surprised By Truth series of Catholic conversion stories. He has hosted numerous EWTN television and radio series and previously served as the publisher of Envoy magazine.

Hosting the river cruise and post-cruise dinner will be the members of the Thomas Aquinas College Chicago Board of Regents, a group of local alumni and friends who serve as the College’s Chicagoland ambassadors. “Part of the mission for the Chicago Board of Regents is to offer a glimpse of what the College has to offer through quality, entertaining events with a focus on Christ-centered living,” says Peter Colarelli (’92), the board’s chairman. “The Chicago cocktail cruise and dinner will do just that through an engaging experience with Patrick Madrid. Guests will no doubt enjoy deep conversations about the most important things in life — and will leave the event on fire for the Faith!”

The government and public affairs manager at the CITGO Lemont Refinery, Mr. Colarelli is both a graduate of the College and the father of three students, past and present. “My years at Thomas Aquinas College have provided some of the most influential experiences of my life,” he says. “The College has been the foundation for incredibly happy and successful personal and professional lives for me, my wife, Angela (O’Neill ’93), and — so far — 3 of our 10 children. This is why we are still involved with the College and give back some of the blessings that God has given to us through it.”

The Chicago River cruise will take place June 15, with a boarding time of 3:30 p.m. at 455 N. Cityfront Plaza Drive, Chicago, Illinois ($100 per person / $175 per couple). Dinner will follow immediately afterward at Chicago Cut Steakhouse, 300 N. LaSalle Drive ($175 per person / $300 per couple). Tickets are available via the online order form.