NASPA 2025 Convention
We invite you to join us for our Annual Convention being held this year at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City, OK, September 15 - 17.
This year’s theme, 'Go and make disciples,' will encourage shrine and pilgrimage leaders across the nation to live the Church’s mission. Let’s pray, collaborate, and draw inspiration in our shared call to fulfill the Great Commission. Don’t miss this opportunity to collaborate with other NASPA members at this beautiful shrine.
Silver Sponsors
Exhibitors
Schedule
NASPA Annual Convention 2025 “Go and Make Disciples"
Tentative Schedule
Monday, September 15 ​
All Day 1 events held at the Catholic Pastoral Center (7501 Northwest Expy, Oklahoma City, OK 73132)
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4:30 p.m. - Check-in at the Catholic Pastoral Center
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5:00 p.m. - Open with Evening Prayer or Vespers (CPC Chapel)
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5:30 p.m. - Welcome letter from Bishop Gerardo J. Colacicco read by NASPA President Carol Bezak followed by Keynote address by Fr. Don Wolf (CPC)
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6:30 p.m. - Reception with heavy hors d'oeuvres / Social (CPC C-1)
Tuesday, September 16
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8:00 a.m. - Breakfast (CPC)
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8:30 a.m. - Session 1: Grace Veloz and Chris Polito "Fundraising and Stewardship" (CPC)
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9:30 a.m. - Break
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10:00 a.m. - Breakout Session: Giftshop Management and Best Practices (CPC)
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10:30 a.m. - Roundtable discussion: led by Jon Carres "Gift Shop Trends in Member Shrines" (CPC)
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11:00 a.m. - Bus to Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine for daily Mass (700 SE 89th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73149)
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12:15 p.m. - Mass
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1:00 p.m. - Lunch (BSRS)
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2:00 p.m. - Shrine Tour
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3:00 p.m. - Session 2: Fr. Michael Baggot (BSRS)
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4:30 p.m. - Bus leaves for Dinner and social at Cattlemen's (1309 S Agnew Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73108)
Wednesday, September 17
All Day 3 events held at the Catholic Pastoral Center
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8:00 a.m. - Breakfast (CPC)
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8:30 a.m. - Session 3: Archbishop Paul S. Coakley (CPC)
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9:30 a.m. - Break with Vendors & Sponsors (CPC)
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10:00 a.m. - NASPA Business Meeting (CPC)
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11:30 a.m. - Mass (CPC Chapel)
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12:30 p.m. - Lunch (CPC)
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1:30 p.m. - Breakout Session: Fr. Zachary Boazman "Diocesan Collaboration"
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3:00 p.m. - Departure
Convention Speakers
Monday, September 15
5:30 PM Opening Keynote
Father Don Wolf, ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City in 1981, brings a wealth of experience and a profound connection to the community as the Rector of the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, starting in July 2022. Sharing a special bond with the shrine through his relation as the cousin of Blessed Stanley Rother, Father Wolf embodies a legacy of faith and service. His leadership is inspired by a life deeply rooted in spiritual dedication, guiding the shrine as a beacon of hope and transformation, standing testament to the power of living a Christ-centered life in service to others.
Tuesday, September 16
3:30 PM Session 2
Fr. Michael Baggot is an Associate Professor of Bioethics at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina
Apostolorum and an Invited Professor of Theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas
Aquinas (the Angelicum) and the Catholic Institute of Technology. In addition, Baggot is a Research
Scholar at the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights and a member of the Scholarly
Advisory Board for Magisterium AI. His media work includes appearances on Pints with Aquinas, ETWN, The Future of Life Institute, and on his co-hosted YouTube channel Those Two Priests. Baggot also frequently serves as chaplain for The Catholic Traveler pilgrimage organization.
Wednesday, September 17
8:30 AM Session 3
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley was born to John and Mary Coakley in Norfolk, Va., in 1955 and lived there with his father, mother and older brother. He was ordained a priest on May 21, 1983 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
After serving as a priest of the Diocese of Wichita for 21 years, he was appointed Bishop of Salina on Oct. 21, 2004. He was ordained and installed as Bishop of Salina on Dec. 28, 2004. On Dec. 16, 2010, Bishop Coakley was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as the fourth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. He was installed as metropolitan archbishop on Feb. 11, 2011.
Breakout Sessions
Tuesday, September 16
8:30 AM
Christopher J. Polito, serves as Senior Vice President of CCS Fundraising. He brings 19 years of experience in designing, implementing and managing key philanthropic initiatives for nonprofit organizations in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions and Canada. Chris has partnered on more than 75 strategic resource development initiatives and capital campaigns that have raised collectively over $600 million. He is an expert in feasibility and planning studies and development assessments and annual appeals.
Grace Arjona Veloz is the Director of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, bringing more than 37 years of professional experience in banking, lending, marketing, and stewardship. Her career has included roles with Radio Disney, the American Red Cross, and ten years as Director of Stewardship for the Archdiocese of Miami, where she assisted more than 100 parishes in adopting 21st-century technology and giving practices, and developed award-winning Hispanic stewardship models. At the Shrine, she continues to adapt stewardship approaches to meet the needs of visitors and devotees. She believes stewardship is not one-size-fits-all, but a true calling.
Tuesday, September 16
10:00 AM
Edward Albert, is the President at Circle A Western Wear, a family business started by his father in 1980. Edward took over Circle A in 1987. Due to Edward’s hard work and dedication to customer service and quality products, he has grown Circle A Western & Outdoor into the success it is today.
Jon Carres, served as Executive Director of the National Shrine of Our Lady of La leche in the Diocese of St. Augustine, FL for 7 years. He is also a technology consultant with over 30 years of experience in hospitality information technology strategy.
Wednesday, September 17
1:30 PM
Father Zachary Boazman is originally from Dallas, TX, where he grew up going to Catholic elementary school and Cistercian Preparatory School. In 2010 he graduated from high school and moved to Norman, OK to attend The University of Oklahoma. It was there that he discerned God’s call to study for the diocesan priesthood. He attended seminary at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, CO. He was ordained a priest on Sept. 12 2020 at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and is pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Okarche, OK. He is also the Associate Director of the Secretariat for Divine Worship for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
Travel and Lodging
Guests have the opportunity to reserve a room at the Catholic Pastoral Center (501 Northwest Expy, Oklahoma City, OK 73132).
Rooms are available on a first-come first-choose basis. Transportation is provided to and from Convention events.
The Shrine will also provide a free shuttle service for guests staying at the hotels listed below.
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Home2 Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Northwest Expressway
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Tru by Hilton Oklahoma City Northwest Expressway
