Harley Packer

Harley grew up in Estevan Saskatchewan, the younger of two brothers. By the age of 15, Harley had dropped out of school, alienated himself from his family, was abusing drugs and alcohol and was in trouble with the law. He was on the verge of self destruction when a series of events, including the death of his father, helped him to realize there must be more to life. It was at this critical point that he had a life changing experience of God's love and forgiveness. Since then Harley has obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology/theology from the FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY OF STEUBENVILLE in Ohio. He has studied world religions for two years at the University of Saskatchewan. He taught music for ten years and also worked frontline with Government of Alberta Child and Family Services for ten years. Of all his accomplishments, he is most proud to have become a happy, healthy, grateful family man.

Harley worked frontline with the Child and Family Services agency – Family Ties Association – for 10 years. During this time Harley's faith gave him the strength to walk with many adult and youth clients through some of the most difficult struggles of their life. Harley's experience with "at risk" teenagers enables him to offer a unique perspective to youth audiences. Harley's supervisors spoke highly of his ability to develop rapport with his clients and help them overcome destructive attitudes and behaviours. In 2012 Family Ties Association presented him with the Starfish Award for "making a difference one person at a time."

Harley draws deeply from his child and family service experience, and the challenges he has faced in his own life to deliver his very own unique style of inspiration. When he speaks you can also expect that he will inspire with song. Music has always been an integral part of Harley's life and he often includes music to enhance the message. Over the past 25 years he has had many opportunities to speak and sing in Catholic high schools and parishes in Canada and the United States. When Harley speaks he stands on the shoulders of giants like Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Augustine and shines a light on everything true and beautiful that the Catholic Church has held and taught down through the ages. Harley's style of presentation is unique because he uses vivid stories and songs of faith hope and love to capture listener's imaginations and entices them with the beauty, majesty, awe and wonder of God and the church. Harley will stir your imagination with a fresh and intuitive look at the beautiful, timeless truths of the faith. He will inspire rather than inform, motivate rather than moralize.

Harley delivers three powerful keynotes, based on the theme of the Prodigal Son, which can stand alone at conferences, retreats and youth events or they can be combined into a three day parish mission. Harley is also willing and able to adapt his program to the theme of your event.

1. Lost and found: from high school dropout to university graduate
Harley tells the story of his own Prodigal Son experience and reminds us that no life is ever hopeless. He provides insightful reflection on how the prodigal son story is everyone's story.

2. Coming to your senses: change your mind change your life
It's all about lifelong growth and transformation, discovering our true identity and purpose – living the prodigal son experience every day and the powerful role our minds play in this process.

3. Coming Home: remembering where we came from
After he came to his senses the prodigal son remembered where he came from and went home to his father's house. Harley helps us to remember where we came from – our incredible Catholic heritage – and reminds us of the many reasons we can be proud to call the Catholic Church "home."