NCPD Summer Intensive on Accompanying Aging Populations

Mon, 06/08/2026 - 1:00pm EDT to Thu, 06/11/2026 - 4:00pm EDT

The Summer Intensive on Accompanying Aging Populations is for diocesan and parish leadership and anyone interested in this important topic.

The event is online via Zoom.

If you have any accessibility needs please contact us at ncpd@ncpd.org.

Is your diocese an NCPD Affiliate? If so, you qualify for special pricing! Check the Affiliate list here. A check mark in either the 2025-2026 or 2026-2027 column means your diocese qualifies.

To receive your coupon code, email ncpd@ncpd.org with the name of your diocese.

Diocese/ Parishes

Diocese/ Parishes - What to Do for Disability Ministry

Family / Caregiver Support

Physician-Assisted Suicide

Pastoral Outreach

Event

English

Day One - Session One

Topic: Spirituality and the Blessings of Aging

Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Archbishop Emeritus, Archdiocese of Louisville

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz earned bachelor (1968) and master of divinity (1972) degrees from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia and a master’s degree in social work from the Marywood School of Social Work in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Allentown on March 18, 1972, served as Bishop of Knoxville from 1999 to 2007, and retired after serving as Archbishop of Louisville from 2007 until 2022.

During his 27 years in the Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Archbishop Kirtz oversaw social services, diocesan administration, and parish ministry. Two of his specific roles include serving as director and later executive director of the Catholic Social Agency and Family Life Bureau from 1976 to 1994, and diocesan coordinator for health affairs from 1991 to 1998. Archbishop Kurtz received the distinguished title of monsignor in 1986.

Archbishop Kurtz has served on numerous boards. A very abbreviated list includes President of the board of directors of the Catholic Social Agency; Vice President and then President of the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB); Episcopal Moderator for the National Catholic Partnership on Disability; Board of Directors of the National Catholic Bioethics Center.

Day One - Session Two

Topic: Supporting Caregivers

Evelyn Fink, Ph.D., BCC Parish Volunteer Minister, St. Patrick's Parish Anchorage, AK

Growing up in Nebraska, Evelyn Fink moved to Arizona to start her career as a schoolteacher and principal. She retired early and then became a board-certified chaplain through the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. For 15 years she worked as a chaplain in four hospitals in the Phoenix, Arizona area. During those years she started a caregiving support ministry at her parish in Mesa, Arizona. Following the death of her first husband, she remarried and moved to Alaska with her current husband Ron and became a member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Anchorage. In 2024 Evelyn started a caregiving ministry for her parish. She also serves as a choir director, an extraordinary minister of holy communion, lector, minister of care for homebound parishioners, and, with her husband, co-facilitator of the grief support ministry. In addition to starting two caregiving support ministries, she is an experienced caregiver caring eleven years for her first husband and now caring for her current husband recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Evelyn indulges her love of photography as she and her husband explore Alaska’s scenic beauty.

Day Two - Session One

Topic: Living at the End of Life

Rick Becker, DNP Assistant Professor of Nursing Science, Saint Mary's College

Rick Becker has deep expertise in Healthcare Ethics and Bioethics. Demonstrating his specialized training in Catholic moral teaching, he holds the National Catholic Certification in Health Care Ethics, Certificate of Completion with Distinction, from the National Catholic Bioethics Center. Becker's extensive academic background includes a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Indiana Wesleyan University, two master’s degrees, and two bachelor’s degrees. His scholarly contributions include research interests in moral distress and moral resilience and publications in the National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, such as "Hypodermoclysis and proctoclysis as basic care: Avoiding unnecessary terminal dehydration", as well as clinical ethics articles in the Journal of Christian Nursing. Drawing on professional experience as an Assistant Professor of nursing at Bethel University (2004-2022), an Oncology staff nurse (2000-2008), and work with the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care (2002-2004), Becker integrates clinical realism with his ethical specialization. His professional career has always revolved around education, including time as a religious educator committed to faithfully passing along church teaching and forming others in faith, striving to accompany individuals in their learning and development.

Day Two - Session Two

Topic: Supporting Parishioners with Dementia

Carolyn Klaver, R. N., Faith Community Nurse

Carolyn is the Dementia Specialist for the Faith Community Nurse Network of the Greater Twin Cities. Carolyn has over 42 years of nursing experience from hospital, faith community, community, school, long term care and home settings including two decades of concentrated work in the dementia field, working with people living with dementia in mild cognitive impairment, early- and mid-stages providing cognitive and socially stimulating programming, as well as support and resources to caregivers, and training volunteers in dementia work. For 15 years she worked with a group respite program with over 300 volunteers, 100 participants, 30 faith communities of 9 different denominations, in 4 metro counties. This program won a national award in 2017 from the Brookdale Foundation. She has done multiple trainings on Dementia Friendly Faith Communities, Healthy Brain, and other dementia-related topics.

Having been a long-distance caregiver for 3 parents with dementia, Carolyn understands the struggles that people living with dementia and their families experience. She knows firsthand how important it is for all of us to keep our brains active and happy.

Tom Hayes

Tom hase been an active member of St. Odilia Catholic Church in Shoreview, Minnesota for over 40 years. He attended Dementia Friendly Congregation training in 2017, was trained as a Dementia Friend in 2018, and has been involved in supporting parishioners who are experiencing memory loss since 2019.

Day Three - Session One

Topic: Voices of the Aging

Join us to learn from a panel of persons who are experiencing age-related limitations and changes to how they can participate in parish life.

Day Three - Session Two

Topic: Supporting Mental Well-Being of the Aging

Sr. Gianna Casino, LIHM, PLPC St. Joseph's House of Healing

Sr. Mary Gianna Casino is a consecrated missionary sister with the Leaven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (LIHM), devoted to evangelizing youth and families. A licensed clinical therapist, author, and field traumatologist, she has accompanied over 200 individuals impacted by abuse, grief, trauma, and terrorism, including hospice patients facing end-of-life care. She is also the co-author of the faith legacy journal series, Tell Me Why You’re Catholic. Her work has been featured by The New York Times, EWTN, and the Augustine Institute. She has also presented to representatives of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the White House on school safety and virtue education.

Sister Gianna holds degrees in Theology and Philosophy from Holy Apostles College & Seminary and a master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Divine Mercy University. Integrating Catholic anthropology with evidence-based practice, she incorporates forgiveness therapy alongside interpersonal neurobiology, trauma recovery, resilience, and virtue formation. It is of her deepest joy to accompany others toward dignity, healing, and the redemptive meaning of suffering.

Day Four - Session One

Topic: Ministry of Consolation

Ricardo Medina, Ph.D. Director of the Office of Family Life of the Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston

Ricardo was born and raised in Mexico City and has been living in the Houston area for 16 years. In addition to serving as the Director of the Office of Family Life, he also serves as Director of Pastoral Planning and Director of the Circle Lake Retreat Center for the Archdiocese. Ricardo holds a PhD in Business Administration, as well as two master’s degrees: one in Human Development and another in Theology. He is the author of a dozen books, essays, and articles focused on personal growth, organizational development, and pastoral ministry, the most recent of which is When Love Becomes Whole.

Ricardo is an enthusiastic advocate of learning communities and adult formation. He designs and facilitates numerous programs in family enrichment, leadership, spiritual, and personal development. In his free time, Ricardo enjoys family gatherings, wildlife photography, and meaningful conversations with friends.

Day Four - Session Two

Topic: Preparing for a Physically Aging Congregation

William Bonn, Chair, Art & Architecture Committee, Diocese of Salt Lake City

Bill is a Lay Ecclesial Minister (LEM) for the Diocese of Salt Lake City and chair of the Diocese’s Art & Architecture committee. He is a licensed architect and a former board member of the Society for Advancement of Gerontological Environments (aka SAGE Federation). Bill was part of the committee that wrote the first Assisted Living construction rule for the State of Utah and was a member and co-chair of several cycles of the national Guidelines for Design and Construction of Healthcare Facilities which included Assisted Living and nursing care facilities. He is the recipient of the Crystal Eagle Lifetime Achievement award from the Utah Society for Healthcare Engineering.