The National Catholic Partnership on Disability marked its 40th anniversary Aug. 27 with a Mass concelebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge followed by a gala, all at St. Louis Bertrand Church in Louisville, Ky.
The Washington-based organization works with a variety of Catholic stakeholders across the country to “promote the full and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in the life of the church,” according to its mission statement. Bishop Burbidge joined NCPD as its episcopal moderator in January.
His immediate predecessor, Louisville Archbishop Emeritus Joseph E. Kurtz, was honored at the gala, where NCPD announced the awarding of a one-time scholarship in honor of the prelate’s late brother, who was born with Down syndrome. The Georgie Kurtz Educational Scholarship was awarded to St. John School in Lawrence, Kan. in the amount of $5,000 to support Mila Reffett’s enrollment.
