The Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City will host its third annual Utah Catholic Conference in Draper this Saturday, gathering Catholics from across the state for a day of faith formation and fellowship. The event, which is open to the public, will feature bilingual workshops and keynote addresses at the Skaggs Catholic Center.
Expanding Diocesan Outreach
Bishop Oscar A. Solis of the Diocese of Salt Lake City will preside over the conference, which is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Skaggs Catholic Center. The conference theme for this year is "Sacred Heart, Heart of the Mission."
According to KSL News, the conference has expanded significantly since its inception. While the event was originally reserved as a training opportunity for leaders within the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Bishop Solis opened the conference to the public three years ago.
High Registration and Participation
More than 1,100 people have already registered for the conference, though organizers say registration remains open until the morning of the event to ensure no one is excluded. Adult registration is currently set at $35, while registration for youth is free.
Crystal Painter, the director of the diocese's Marriage and Family Life Office, said she expects registration to continue increasing throughout the week. Painter noted that the event is part of the bishop's broader vision for the diocese, which emphasizes comprehensive faith formation for individuals at every stage of life.
Workshops and Keynote Speakers
The day will begin with a morning Mass led by Bishop Solis and several priests. Attendees may park at Juan Diego Catholic High School and travel to the Skaggs Catholic Center for the service. Following Mass, the conference will feature introductory keynotes in both English and Spanish, including a presentation by Professor Michael Barber of the Augustine Institute and a session by Rev. Dempsey Rosales Acosta.
After lunch, attendees will participate in various workshops designed to cover topics such as prayer, discipleship, family life, evangelization, ministry, and leadership. The sessions are intended to provide practical tools for daily life and parish community involvement, according to Bishop Solis in a video message released on Sept. 4.
Youth Programming
The conference includes specialized programming for younger participants. Catholic youth in grades 6 through 12 will attend dedicated sessions led by Cooper Ray. These youth sessions will run parallel to the adult programming before the participants rejoin the adults for the final keynote address, which will be a bilingual presentation by Rev. Acosta.
A Call to Fellowship
In a video message released on Sept. 4, Bishop Solis encouraged all members of the faithful to attend, whether they are lifelong Catholics, new to parish life, or ministry leaders. He described the conference as a special opportunity to learn, grow, and strengthen faith through fellowship and renewal.
