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 2026–2027 Speaker Schedule:

• November 10, 2026 | Dr. Bronwen McShea

Dr. McShea is an Affiliated Scholar with the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at USC and a historian of the Catholic Church. She is the author of three books, including Women of the Church: What Every Catholic Should Know, and her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal and First Things. She earned her Ph.D. in History from Yale and her M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, and has held research and teaching posts at Princeton and Columbia.

 

• December 1, 2026 | Jay Cassell

Jay Cassell is a friend of Desert Disciples who has reached the summit of Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. He will share the story of his climb and the faith, perseverance, and lessons learned along the way.

 

• January 12, 2027 | Dr. Travis Cooper

A Palm Springs native, Dr. Cooper earned his master’s and doctorate in philosophy at the Catholic University of America. He has taught at Thomas Aquinas College for over a decade and now serves as assistant dean for student affairs on its California campus.

 

• February 9, 2027 | Miki Jordan

Miki Jordan was named president and CEO of Martha’s Village & Kitchen in December 2025, leading one of Greater Palm Springs’ largest providers of services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty. She previously led Wayfinder Family Services and Para Los Niños, and co-founded Partners for Impact, which advises nonprofit leaders nationwide.

 

• March 9, 2027 | Curtis & Michaelann Martin

Curtis Martin founded the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) in 1998 and is the author of the best-selling books Made for More and Making Missionary Disciples. Michaelann holds a Master of Education from Pepperdine, and together the couple formed Made for More, Inc. in 2010 to share God’s vision for greatness with young people. In 2004, they received the Benemerenti Medal from Pope Saint John Paul II for their service to the Church, and they have been blessed with nine children.

 

• April 13, 2027 | Fr. Mario DiCicco, OFM

Fr. Mario DiCicco is a Franciscan priest on staff at St. Peter’s Church in the Chicago Loop, where the Franciscans have ministered through the Sacrament of Reconciliation since 1875. He celebrated 60 years of priesthood in 2019

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