Catholic Social Gathering 2009

Welcome to the 2009 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering Web site

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Registration Booklet l Online Registration

On behalf of the eighteen Catholic national co-sponsoring organizations, we invite you to join us in Washington, DC as we host what promises to be an exciting four-day conference. Our theme, Christ Our Hope: Healing a Broken World, echoes the message of Pope Benedict’s pastoral visit to our nation. This annual gathering brings together over 700 leaders of Catholic social ministry from across the United States.

The meeting will take place Sunday, February 22, through Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill.

The Catholic Social Ministry Gathering brings together diverse individuals to discuss common issues and concerns. We will discuss global and domestic issues of life, justice and peace that challenge our world, including the food crisis, healthcare and economic stability.

We are pleased to have His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago and President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as the presider and homilist for the opening liturgy. Following the opening mass, His Excellency Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, will give the opening plenary address on the place of Catholic social teaching in the life and ministry of the Church.

There will be briefings, workshops, and strategy sessions on important domestic and international issues facing our various ministries.

A centerpiece of the gathering will be our afternoon on Capitol Hill where we’ll hear from Congressional leaders and bring our concerns about policies affecting those who are poor and vulnerable to our legislators.

We will also get a post-election analysis from the NewsHour commentator Mark Shields and other national Catholic leaders. Most importantly, we’ll have time to connect with others involved in the Catholic social ministry network from across the country.

The annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering is one of the most important gatherings for Catholics who are engaged in the social mission work of the Church. Please browse through the brochure, register early, and be sure to attend what promises to be one of our most outstanding gatherings to date. We look forward to seeing you in February.Mark your Calendar!