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2025 Gallagher Talk: The Role of Compassion in a Divided World
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
6:00 p.m.
Join us for an unforgettable evening that blends inspiration, imagination, and impact. The Gallagher Talk, our signature annual event, is being reimagined in 2025 as a dynamic gathering designed to raise support, raise friends, and raise the profile of the Catholic Information Center.
The Gallagher Talk honors the life and visionary leadership of Father Joseph V. Gallagher, CSP, who served as CIC Director from 1978 to 1982. Father Gallagher believed that creating a “future brighter than any past” would require ministries that reach beyond church walls – into the marketplace, into culture, and into the everyday intersections of faith and life.
In that spirit, this year’s event is more than a talk. It’s an immersive evening of inspiration, creativity, and community:
- Interactive mission exhibits that bring the CIC’s work to life
- Live music that stirs the soul
- Refreshments and space for meaningful conversation
This year’s event will also include a special opportunity to support the CIC’s mission and expand its reach in West Michigan and beyond.
Join us for an evening that celebrates bold ideas, deep faith, and the power of compassionate engagement in a divided world.
Featuring Keynote Speaker: Gloria Purvis
Gloria Purvis is a nationally recognized Catholic speaker, author, and public scholar known for her bold and compassionate voice on issues of faith, dignity, and justice. She is the host of The Gloria Purvis Podcast in collaboration with America Media and has spoken widely on topics including racial justice, pro-life ethics, religious liberty, and Catholic social teaching.
A graduate of Cornell University, Gloria has served on numerous boards and advisory councils within the Church and was recently named a Scholar in Residence at St. Martin’s University. In 2022, she became the first African American female Catholic journalist to conduct an extended private interview with Pope Francis.
Her keynote, “The Role of Compassion in a Divided World,” will offer a timely and inspiring reflection on how Catholic values can heal and unite.
Watch Gloria Purvis’ Keynote speech at the National Eucharistic Congress
What to Expect:
- Keynote from Gloria Purvis
- Immersive mission exhibits that bring the CIC’s work to life
- Live music to elevate the atmosphere
- Refreshments and opportunities to connect
- A mission moment and invitation to support the CIC’s ongoing work
This is more than an event, it’s an experience. Come be part of something meaningful.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Support Dialogue. Build Community.
Your support makes the Gallagher Talk possible. This annual event brings nationally recognized Catholic voices into meaningful conversation with our West Michigan community, creating a space for dialogue, reflection, and faith-filled engagement on the most pressing issues of our time. By sponsoring the 2025 Gallagher Talk, featuring Gloria Purvis, a nationally recognized Catholic media personality, you help ensure that this gathering remains open and accessible to all. Sponsorships not only strengthen the Catholic Information Center’s mission of forming missionary disciples and fostering vibrant ministries, but also publicly affirms your commitment to building bridges of understanding and hope in our community.