National Catholic Disability Ministry Conference to be held in Salt Lake City

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SALT LAKE CITY — The National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) will hold the 2025 National Catholic Disability Ministry Conference Aug. 7-9 in Salt Lake City.

“This conference will equip Catholics to value the gifts and respond to the needs of persons with disabilities across the United States,” states the conference invitation.

The conference theme is “Pilgrims of Hope.”

This is the first national conference that NCPD will host since 2012, said Carol Ruddell, a member of the Diocesan Commission for People with Disabilities. She is  organizing the Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations for the conference.

An ADA team from among Utah’s Catholic community has already been recruited, “just as we did for the Diocesan Eucharistic Rally, but we can always use more,” Ruddell said, inviting everyone to participate in the conference and, if interested, to volunteer.

“The Diocese of Salt Lake City is an affiliate of the NCPD, so Utahns do receive a registration discount,” Ruddell said

To qualify for the discount, the registration must be received before June 11.  

Conference-goers can expect to receive current strategies and best practices for ministering to people with disabilities. They will also have an opportunity to reflect on disability from a Catholic perspective; learn how to increase fully accessible environments and programming in faith communities; promote knowledge that removes stigma and misperceptions about disability; and share models and resources that make Catholic parishes a home for all, “encouraging the evangelization in their faith communities that unite all members of the Church,” the conference invitation states.

Among the keynote speakers are the Most Rev. Brendan J. Cahill, Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria, Texas, who will present “Pilgrims with Joys and Hopes – Reflections on the 60th Anniversary of Gaudium et spes;” and Mary O’Meara, executive director of deaf and disabilities ministries for the Archdiocese of Washington, who will speak on “Pilgrims of Hope – Journeys of Belonging and Giftedness.” In addition, Jason Shanks, who is the father of five children, will share his story of having a child with a rare genetic condition and a life-threatening battle with COVID-19.

Bishop Oscar A. Solis will preside at the conference’s closing Mass.

The conference will also offer other sessions of special interest, exhibits and virtual bilingual (English/Spanish) sessions.

WHAT: National Catholic Disability Ministry Conference

WHEN: Aug. 7-9, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day; Friday’s dinner will be 6:30-8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Hilton Salt Lake City Center, 255 S. West Temple, SLC

COST: before June 11 $375 Individual ($350 with affiliate coupon)

 $440 Individual/Mental Health First Aid Pre-conference ($410 with coupon)

 Per day, $125 ($115 with affiliate coupon)

 $100 - Virtual English, 6 sessions ($90 with affiliate coupon)

 $100 - Virtual Spanish, 6 sessions ($90 with affiliate coupon)

For information about the conference, call ESI Management Group at 801-501-9446 or email ESI@esimgt.com.

To register, visit https://ncpd.esimgt.com/conference-registration-pilgrims-of-hope/

To volunteer, contact Carol Ruddell at cgruddell@comcast.net.