ACP Membership Meeting

Bridget Ritz, Ph.D., from the University of Notre Dame will open the 2026 ACP Membership Meeting, talking about Christian Smith's latest book on religious obsolescence.

Bridget's research is animated by the desire to understand culture and how it changes. Her theoretical work seeks to bridge insights from pragmatism and critical realism, and develop sociological theories of cultural change. Empirically, her work examines culture though qualitative or mixed methods research about science, religion, abortion, and parenting. Bridget is co-author of Religious Parenting: Transmitting Faith and Values in Contemporary America (Princeton University Press, 2020). Her articles have been published in the Journal for the Theory of Social Behavior, the Journal of Critical Realism, and Science Advances. Bridget completed her PhD in Sociology at the University of Notre Dame (2022) and her MA in the Social Sciences at the University of Chicago (2015).

Jason Malec from Gloo will offer a virtual presentation on using AI in creative, innovative, and productive ways.

Jason helps organizations accelerate mission by streamlining objectives, strategies, and storytelling. He works with Gloo AI, an AI-powered trustworthy source for spiritual growth. (ai.gloo.us) He’s served in executive leadership at Living on the Edge, American Bible Society, New Denver Church, ExploreGod, and North Point Ministries.

Ashley McKinless and Zac Davis, co-hosts of the Jesuitical podcast will talk about what they are seeing and hearing about the intersection between the world, faith, and culture.

Ashley McKinless is an executive editor at America.

Zac Davis is an associate editor and the senior director for digital strategy for America. 

Sponsorship/Exhibitor Information

Pre-Conference Events

Catholic Writers Guild 

Are you a member of the Catholic Writers Guild? Your annual in-person conference will be held on Tuesday, May 26-Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the Holiday Inn O'Hare, Chicago, IL.

Mark your calendars!

ACP Board of Directors

The ACP Board of Directors meets prior to the annual membership meeting on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 3-6 p.m.

Meeting on the Liturgical Translation of the Bible

Mary Sperry and Fr. Dought, director of the Secretariat for Divine Worship, will host a meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on the new liturgical translation of the Bible.

Schedule

This is the tentative schedule as of September 2025.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.      ACP Board Meeting

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.     ACP Board/Heads of Houses’ Dinner

Thursday, May 28, 2026

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.  Opening Session: Lunch, Prayer, Introductions/Ice Breakers and Keynote Speaker
                                           Keynote Speaker: Bridgit Ritz, PhD, on Christian Smith's research on "religious obsolescence"

1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.     Networking Break

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.     Workshops: Round A

2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.     Networking Break 

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.     Afternoon General Session: Keynote Speaker

4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.     Networking Break

4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.     Workshops: Round B

5:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.     Beer/Wine Social

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.     Reverse Exhibit

6:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.     ACP Dinner with ACP Awards, Excellence in Publishing Awards (tenta.)

Friday, May 29, 2026

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.     Morning Prayer (Superior BR)

8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.     Continental Breakfast with Keynote Speaker

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ACP Peer Groups

The 2026 ACP Membership Meeting returns to the Holiday Inn O'Hare (5615 N. Cumberland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631)!

Our special room rate is $129++. The cut-off date is 5/5/26.

There are 2 ways to register:

• Go online to www.hiohare.com and use the group code "ACP."
• Call 1-800-HOLIDAY (1-800-465-4329) or 773-693-5800 and use the group name "Association of Catholic Publishers."