The Claim Conference

The Claim Conference is an annual event held in Pittsburgh, PA for the express purpose of assisting the lay faithful
​to live in the Freedom of God's Children.
"There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, 
is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan." 
C. S. Lewis

This years conference

Theme for this years Conference​​
Terrible as an army in battle array...
Mary's role in the defeat of Satan

December  2nd and 3rd, Pittsburgh PA
St. John Neumann Campus
Regina Coeli Parish
2230 Rochester Road
Pittsburgh PA 15237

Come and learn about Mary's unique role in the battle with evil. 

Registration open

Speakers for 2022

Sister Deirdre Byrne is an active missionary sister and superior of her community in Washington, DC. She is double board-certified in family medicine and general surgery. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Sister Deirdre (known to many as Sister DeDe) is one of eight siblings, attended Langley High School, and graduated from Virginia Tech.  After college, Sister DeDe followed in her thoracic surgeon father’s footsteps and entered medical school at Georgetown University, where she eventually completed a surgical residency. During that time she also joined the Army. After a life of medical and military service in far ranging areas, she was led to the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts community, whose charism involves sisters placing each and every person they care for between the Heart of Jesus and Mary.  Her apostolate has been performing overseas medical missionary surgery and providing free medical care for the poor and uninsured.  
Sister DeDe retired with the rank of Colonel from the United States Army in 2009 after 29 years of service in the military. She was extremely grateful for the opportunity to have served the “brave soldiers” while deployed to Afghanistan. Though comfortable in scrubs, she wears a full black or a white working habit when she can and is grateful for the impact it has on those to whom she ministers.
Dave VanVickle has been assisting Priests with their ministries of exorcism and deliverance for many years. He is the Director and Co-Founder of the Immaculate Heart Center for Healing and Liberation. He is widely considered an expert on the topic of Spiritual Warfare from a Catholic perspective and he travels all over the country teaching Catholics about the victory of Jesus Christ and His Church over the kingdom of darkness. Dave is also the co-host of the popular Ascension Press Podcast: "Every Knee Shall Bow". He is first and foremost a husband to his wife, Amber and father to his five children Sam, Max, Judah, Josie and Louisa. 
Most Reverend William John Waltersheid was born on November 18, 1956 in Ashland , Pennsylvania; ordained a priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg on July 11, 1992; appointed Titular Bishop of California and Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh February 15, 2011; consecrated April 25, 2011.  Appointed Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Secretary for Clergy and Consecrated Life April 26, 2011.  Appointed dean of the regional vicar of Vicariate 1 and chaplain to the Sisters of the Holy Spirit September 21, 2017. 
Father Carlos Martins is a priest with the Companions of the Cross, a religious community with the charism and mission of evangelization. A convert from atheism, he discovered Jesus Christ and the Christian faith while he was an undergraduate.  He travels internationally as an itinerant preacher with the Treasures of the Church exhibit. Fr. Carlos is an experienced exorcist and internationally known expert on Sacred Relics. 
Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, became president of Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2019. The well-known Catholic speaker and author received his bachelor’s from Franciscan University, then earned an MDiv, MA in theology, doctorate in education, and executive juris doctorate. 
John Beaulieu has worked in the Christian Outreach Office of Franciscan University since 2003 and serves as the director of Evangelization and Engagement. A graduate of Franciscan University, John has served in ministry for over 30 years. He spent 2 years serving with NET and 19 years as a parish youth minister. A regular speaker at parish and diocesan events, John addresses topics such as life in the Spirit, media and teen culture, and Catholic evangelization. John and his wife, Lisa, live in Steubenville with their five children.
Dr. Michael Sirilla Ph.D. Married with seven children. Professor of dogmatic and systematic theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. A Thomist in the Dominican interpretive tradition. Special research focus: fundamental theology, ecclesiology, and theology of the episcopacy.