2026 Annual Gallagher Talk – When Conversations Get Hard: Finding Common Ground in a Divided World
The Catholic Information Center invites you to the 2026 Annual Gallagher Talk, our signature annual fundraising event, on Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 6:00–8:30 PM at the Catholic Information Center in Cathedral Square, Grand Rapids. Proceeds from the Gallagher Talk support the CIC’s ongoing mission to form missionary disciples, foster dialogue across difference, and build a community rooted in truth, compassion, and communion.
Named in honor of former CIC Director Father Joseph Gallagher, C.S.P., the Gallagher Talk has, for more than a decade, welcomed nationally recognized thought leaders into conversation with the West Michigan community. More than a lecture, this annual gathering creates space for meaningful encounter and equips participants to become bridge-builders in their families, workplaces, parishes, and civic life.
This year’s theme, When Conversations Get Hard: Finding Common Ground in a Divided World, speaks directly to the challenges of our time. In a culture shaped by polarization, Robert “Bob” Bordone, Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School, negotiation expert, mediator, and co-author of Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement Without Giving Up or Giving In, will offer practical and hopeful insights for navigating disagreement with clarity, courage, and integrity.
We invite you to attend, sponsor, or partner with us in this important work. Sponsorship opportunities are available at the Partner, Leader, Builder, and Keeper levels, with benefits that may include event recognition, program advertising, CIC newsletter and website visibility, lobby signage, and table-host tickets. Please see the linked sponsorship form, below, for full details and deadlines.
