National Catholic
Wed, 11/30/2022 - 2:00pm EST to 3:00pm
In honor of the 2022 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Aracely Baeza
NCPD Board member
Case Manager at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
Aracely works in the Family Support Services Department of Catholic Charities, where the focus is to assist low-income families and individuals in working towards self-sufficiency to maintain a healthy, safe, and secure lifestyle. Baeza was also the Oklahoma State Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association during 2017 and 2018. She represented NCPD at the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry in 2018, which is a process of ecclesial reflection and action in Catholic parishes across the United States. She also assisted NCPD in facilitating a 2016 diocesan review about participation of individuals with disabilities within the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
Bridget Brown
NCPD Council on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities member
Disability/Pro-Life Speaker and Writer, Joliet, IL
Bridget is a 33 year old young adult with Down syndrome, a national and statewide public speaker, an actress in movies, and a long-term member of Kiwanis Aktion club. Bridget is also the 2nd Vice President of the National Association for Down Syndrome NADS board. She helps train self-advocates to become leaders. Bridget is the middle of two wonderful siblings and siblings-in-law and is an aunt/godmother of incredible nieces and nephews.
Deacon Ronald San Nicolas
NCPD Council on Mental Illness and Wellness member
Coordinator of Mental Health and Inclusion Ministries, Archdiocese of Seattle, Washington
Deacon Ronnie was ordained in the Archdiocese of Agana, Guam in 2003. He is a social worker with a combined 30 years of experience in behavioral health and university teaching in Guam, Hawaii and, the State of Washington. Presently, he is a teaching professor at the University of Washington, Tacoma’s School of Social Work and Criminal Justice. His ministry experiences include chaplaincy service at Western State Hospital, parish mental health ministry, and pastoral care to the mentally ill, developmentally disabled, and their families. He and his wife Missy married in 1986 and are blessed with three adult sons and two grandchildren. His youngest son is autistic. He resides with his family in Tumwater, Washington.