Esther is passionate with the integration of persons with disabilities to a full participation in the life of the Church. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Master Catechist certificate, Pastoral Formation and Catechetical Leadership from the Diocese of Dallas and Bible Studies from the University of Dallas and has over 30 years of experience as a community and ecclesial volunteer, as well as a catechist. She is specialized in leading catechetical programs for children, youth, adults, and families. In addition, she leads formation in special education - autism and other disabilities - and early childhood in multicultural communities. Esther is a member of the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry (NCCHM), the Federation for Catechesis with Hispanics (FCH), La RED Pastoral Juvenil Hispana, and former Rep Council of National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. Esther was Director of Faith Formation at Sacred Heart Parish in the Diocese of Dallas and a teacher at the Autism Treatment Center in Dallas. She is currently the Director of Outreach and Diocesan Relations from the National Catholic Partnership on Disability with headquarters in Washington DC.
Esther gives conferences, workshops, and training nationwide to Diocesan personnel, parish catechetical leaders, catechists, parents, and volunteers in Catechesis and Disabilities; and she is a resource for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in the area of Catechesis and Disability, such as the revision in Spanish of the Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, Catechetical Sunday among other initiatives for the Hispanic Community.
She lives in Texas with her husband and their two children. Her love for persons with disabilities and her desire to serve them arose from having her own child, Eric, who has autism.