ATLANTA—The 55th annual conference of the International Catholic Stewardship Council will be Sept. 17-20 in Atlanta.

Clergy, parish staff and lay leaders, as well as diocesan stewardship and development staff, are encouraged to attend. The conference theme is “Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response.”

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky, will deliver the keynote address. In the spirit of this year’s ICSC conference theme, Archbishop Kurtz will bring his passion for justice, charity and love for the poor to the conference participants.

Attendees will learn from parishes using stewardship concepts to inspire youth and young adults and how digital communications can encourage parishioner involvement.

A new school advancement track will be offered at the conference, to be held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

The ICSC was originally founded in 1962 under the auspices of Cardinal Joseph Ritter and under the direction of Father Paul F. Kaletta of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. As head of the archdiocese’s expansion fund, Father Kaletta saw the need for a Catholic theology of resource development that would lead to a sharing of information about financial problems facing the church. Cardinal Ritter invited Catholics from around the country to share ideas about support.

The organization was originally named the National Council for Diocesan Support Programs.

In 1965, the council began holding annual gatherings in cities across the United States. Hundreds of pastors, diocesan directors of development and stewardship, parish leaders, professional firms, Catholic associations and religious congregations come together each year for four days of presentations, workshops, liturgies and addresses. Participants experience the Catholic vision of Christian stewardship as a way of life.