Grow in Faith. Strengthen Community.

Monthly Dinner Meetings | November–April

Desert Disciples for Christ hosts six spiritually enriching dinner meetings throughout the year, each offering an opportunity to grow in faith and fellowship. Evenings include rosary, Mass, social time, dinner, and a featured speaker or planned activity.

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• Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

• Prospective member guests are welcome (additional cost may apply).

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Tentative 2025 Speaker Schedule:

• November 11, 2025 | Tim Gray

Tim Gray is President of the Augustine Institute and a well-known Catholic speaker and author. Under Dr. Gray's leadership, the Augustine Institute has established the largest Catholic graduate school of theology in the country and has created best-selling programs, including Symbolon, a comprehensive program of faith formation for adults. 

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• December 2, 2025 | Ben Aker

Ben Akers is the Chief Content Officer at the Augustine Institute which serves the formation of Catholics through academic and parish programs. He oversees FORMED.org, Amen App, Catholic prayer and meditation app, and Word of Life K-8 Curriculum Project.

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• January 13, 2026 | Fr. Dave Heney

​Fr. Dave Heney, Pastor of St. Bruno Catholic Church in Whittier. The son of a scientist, he was ordained in 1978 and holds a Masters Degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from USC. He is the author of “Don’t Tell Me What to Do: A Catholic Understanding of Modern Moral Issues”, and “Luke 10 Leadership: How to Succeed in Parish Ministry”, and leads an annual Holy Land Archeological Tour, now in its 20th year.

 

• February 10, 2026 | Monsignor James Shea

Monsignor James P. Shea, KCHS, is the sixth president of the University of Mary and, at the time of his appointment in 2009, was the youngest college president in the United States. A North Dakota native, Monsignor Shea was ordained in 2002 and has dedicated his ministry to Catholic education, pastoral service, and the renewal of faith in public life. Known as a gifted orator who can move the soul, he has inspired audiences across the country with his deep theological insight and authentic witness, most recently serving as keynote speaker at the 2025 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.

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• March 10, 2026 | Kathleen Beckman

Kathleen Beckman is an international evangelist, best-selling author and retreat director who has served the Church for twenty-six years.  At the invitation of bishops, priests, and laity, Kathleen has travelled to thirteen countries to speak at conferences and lead retreats.  She has made appearances on various Catholic media outlets including EWTN, The Catholic Channel, and Radio Maria.​

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• April 14, 2026 | Michael Patrick Barber​

Michael Patrick Barber is Professor of Sacred Scripture and Theology. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles and publications, including The Historical Jesus and the Temple: Memory, Methodology, and the Gospel of Matthew. He is an active member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Catholic Biblical Association. In addition to his teaching and academic research, Dr. Barber has written public-facing works. 

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