Kirsten Pederson, Special to the Florida Catholic
In a powerful display of unity and forward-thinking, nearly 120 representatives from Catholic Charities organizations across Florida gathered at the Bethany Center in Lutz for the 2025 Florida State Catholic Charities Conference, hosted by the Diocese of St. Petersburg on April 3 – 4, 2025. This marks the first statewide conference for Florida’s Catholic Charities staff since 2019 and focused heavily on disaster preparedness, collaboration, and leadership.
Each day of the conference began in prayer and fellowship with Mass. On day one, Msgr. Roberto Garza of the Archdiocese of Miami celebrated Mass, offering a meaningful start grounded in faith and reflection. On day two, Most Rev. Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, presided, encouraging all in attendance to carry their mission forward with renewed purpose and trust in God’s guidance.
The conference opened with a keynote address by Kerry Alys Robinson, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, who inspired attendees with a message of hope, mission, and resilience.
Throughout the day, breakout sessions and keynote presentations offered opportunities for growth and reflection. Kim Burgo, Vice President of Disaster Operations at Catholic Charities USA, led a session on disaster assistance leadership, sharing national insights and strategies. Msgr. Garza delivered a moving presentation on Catholic Identity, grounding the conference in the spiritual foundation that guides all Catholic Charities work. Amber Gum, presented on self-care, offering practical tools for managing compassion fatigue and sustaining personal wellness in demanding roles.
Additional breakout discussions included media engagement and disaster case management, fostering cross-diocesan collaboration and knowledge sharing. The day concluded with a dynamic leadership session presented by Christopher Ice, a consultant, emphasizing purpose-driven service and strategic vision.
In the evening, participants gathered for a reception and dinner, reflecting on the day’s lessons and celebrating the shared mission of Catholic Charities: to serve those most in need with compassion, dignity, and faith.
“Gathering like this renews our sense of purpose and reminds us that we’re not alone in this mission,” said Christopher Root, CEO of Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Inc. “By sharing ideas, challenges, and successes, we strengthen our ability to serve with compassion and bring lasting hope to those who need us most.”
