Julia, a local parishioner and enthusiastic supporter of the Archdiocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities, was recently elected to the Board of Directors for National Catholic Partnership on Disability, or NCPD. NCPD was founded in collaboration with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1982, and works collaboratively with dioceses, parishes, and other constituents to ensure meaningful participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of the life of the Church and society. In addition to serving on the Board, Julia serves as the Chair of the Development Committee and Board Liaison for the Physical Disabilities Committee. She will also co-present two talks at NCPD’s Conference in Salt Lake City in August.
Julia moved to the Cincinnati area in 2018 to serve in fundraising and development for Glenmary Home Missioners, one of the religious communities founded and headquartered in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Glenmary is a community of priests and brothers who bring the gift of the Sacraments and outreach ministries to underserved areas of rural Appalachia and the South in the United States. Julia previously served in administrative roles for disability organizations in her native Southern California, which specialized in day programing, supported employment, and group home residential care for adults with developmental disabilities.
Born with mild cerebral palsy and a devout Catholic, Julia’s writing and speaking engagements focus on affirming the giftedness of people with disabilities and advocating for positive changes that enable them to contribute and participate fully in the life of the Church. She is especially interested in ensuring full access to the Sacraments, Catholic education, and vocations to the diaconate, priesthood, and consecrated life for people with disabilities. Julia graduated Summa Cum Laude with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and theology, and a minor in business administration, from Mount St. Mary’s University, Los Angeles. She also completed a Master of Arts degree in ethics and social theory from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. She is a lay associate with the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary and has written for the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network in collaboration with the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers.
You are welcome to contact her by email at [email protected]