Guest House Leadership Conference

GUEST HOUSE

Month & Year: January 2026

Day(s): Jan 12-14

DiamondHead Beach Resort
Fort Myers Beach, FL

DiamondHead Beach Resort Photo

Conference Details

Celebrating 70 Years of Hope and Healing

Clergy and religious have the same high rates of addiction, anxiety, depression, and trauma as the general population. There is a need for comprehensive support for addictions and mental health disorders as well as visionary leadership. Join us for this conference designed specifically for clergy and religious leadership to gather, learn, and share best practices in providing addiction and mental health disorder services and resources.

 

Keynote Speaker

Most Rev. John P. Dolan,
Diocese of Phoenix

 

Bishop John P. Dolan was born and raised in San Diego, California, the seventh of nine children born to Catherine and Gerald Dolan. He attended local Catholic schools before entering St. Francis Seminary and the University of San Diego, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. He went on to earn a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Theology from St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California.

 

Bishop Dolan brings to his ministry a deep and personal commitment to mental health advocacy. Having lost three siblings and a brother-in-law to suicide, he has become a compassionate voice within the Church for those affected by mental illness and suicide loss. He currently serves as chaplain of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, continuing to advocate for greater understanding, healing, and pastoral care within the Church for all those impacted by mental health challenges.

 

Who Should Attend

The Conference is designed for church leaders who are responsible for formation and care of clergy and men and women religious including Bishops, Provincials, Chancellors, Vicars for Clergy, Vicars for Religious, Canon Lawyers, Vicars General, Formation and Vocation Directors, Seminary Personnel, Directors of Clergy Personnel, and Healthcare Coordinators.

 

Conference Information

DiamondHead Beach Resort

A full-service, state-of-the-art conference facility with 124 hotel suites, located right on Fort Myers Beach. The hotel offers: free parking, fitness center, privately screened balcony, in-room safe, and wireless internet.


DiamondHead Beach Resort
2000 Estero Blvd.
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
239-765-7654
DiamondHeadFL.com

 

Hotel Check-in: 4:00 PM
Hotel Check-out: 11:00 AM

 

Conference Fee

The low conference fee of $129 includes all presentations and most meals. The hotel room is NOT included in the conference registration fee. The DiamondHead Hotel room rate is $215 (plus $10 resort fee).

 

Registration Deadline

To ensure lodging, room reservations must be made prior to December 19. After December 19, 2025, all remaining held rooms will be released. The Guest House group rate is also available the night before the conference and the night the conference ends.

 

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations of conference registration received before December 19, will receive a $75 refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellations on or after December 19, 2025.

 

Transportation

Closest Airports

The Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is the closest airport to the hotel. The commute from the airport to the hotel is 21 miles and approximately 40 minutes.

 

Shuttle

A number of shuttle services are available to and from the hotel; however, Comfort Transportation is highly recommended. To ensure availability with Comfort Transportation, we advise making a reservation in advance by calling 239-745-2845. The Guest House rate is $60 each way for up to three passengers. For additional passengers, a $10 charge applies per person, with a maximum of six passengers total. Please be sure to mention “Guest House” at the time of booking to receive this special rate.

 

Area Activities

During the free afternoon, conference participants can enjoy miles of walkable beach or
explore a nearby state park. Just a short walk from the hotel, the Times Square area features a variety of beachfront restaurants and shops. For those interested in history and culture, the Edison and Ford Winter Estate is a short drive away in the downtown Fort Myers area.

 

Questions? Contact Colleen Richards, Alumni Relations & Education Programs
248-393-8994 or [email protected]

Monday, January 12, 2026

3:00-5:00 PM Registration
5:00-5:30 PM Welcome,
Introduction & Opening Prayer
5:30-6:30 PM Dinner
6:30-7:30 PM Keynote Address:
Most Rev. John P. Dolan,
Diocese of Phoenix
“A Future with Hope & Healing”
8:00 PM Liturgy –
Celebrant Most Rev. John P. Dolan, Diocese of Phoenix

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

7:00-7:45 AM Experience a Catholics in Recovery Meeting
7:45-8:30 AM Breakfast Buffet
8:30-9:30 AM 1st Morning Presentation:
Scott Weeman, MA, LMFT Temp
“The Twelve Steps and Catholic Spirituality”
10:00-11:00 AM 2nd Morning Presentation:
Terrence Shulman, JD, LMSW,
ACSW, CAADA, CPC
“Cluttered Lives, Hidden Struggles: Exploring Compulsive Spending and Hoarding”
11:30 AM Liturgy – Celebrant Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Diocese of Venice
12:15 PM Lunch
1:00-2:00 PM Afternoon Presentation:
Jeff Henrich, MA, LAADC
“Intervention with Compassion: A Holistic Path to Healing”
2:00 PM Free afternoon & dinner on your own
6:30-7:30 PM 1st Evening Presentation:
Kristin Agar, LCSW, CEDS, CIP, CAI
“Binge Eating Disorder: What It Is and How We Can Create a Climate
of Hope and Healing for Those Who Have It and Their Loved Ones”
7:45-8:45 PM 2nd Evening Presentation:
Guest House Staff
“Why Guest House?”
8:45 PM Night Prayer

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

7:00 AM Liturgy
7:45-8:30 AM Breakfast Buffet
8:30-9:30 AM 1st Morning Presentation:
Sr. Julie Bruss, SND,
LPCC-S, LCDC III
“Understanding and Mitigating the
Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences”
10:00-11:00 AM 2nd Morning Presentation:
Rev. Mark Stelzer, SThD
“Recovery and Narrative Identity”
11:00 AM Closing
11:15 AM Lunch (Boxed lunches available to grab & go)