Catholic Women’s Conference to feature inspiring talks, uplifting music

By Katherine Jass Stone

For Today’s Catholic

In today’s fast paced, drive through world, it’s easy for women to get lost in the different directions they are being pulled into. We are wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, employees — however often, we forget the most important person we are — God’s daughter. Whether you are 18 or 88, you are important to God and he wants to spend time with you; what better place to do this than with hundreds of other women at the 2015 Catholic Women’s Conference!

Mark your calendars for Aug. 28-29 for this year’s conference, “Come To Me,” which will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The conference, celebrating 14 years, is sponsored by the Pilgrim Center of Hope, a Catholic evangelization ministry. The Pilgrim Center of Hope was founded in 1993 by Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox.

“Every person is on a journey. We are never standing still and life is always throwing obstacles in our paths. Where do we turn — which way do we go? What the Pilgrim Center of Hope seeks to do through this conference is encourage women not to make this journey alone. The Catholic Church cares about every woman becoming who God created her to be. Where we start is no obstacle to where we can go if we choose God to accompany us. The Catholic Women’s Conference has a new motto: ‘You do not have to be perfect to begin anew in Christ.’ At this conference, women see for themselves how this is true,” said Nan Balfour, events coordinator for the Pilgrim Center of Hope.

At the two day conference, women will have many opportunities to reconnect to their faith and give their faith journey a boost. In addition to hearing inspiring talks and uplifting music, attendee’s will have time to spend in the Adoration Chapel, go to reconciliation connect with women from across the archdiocese and even the United States.

“Women should come to the conference to hear talks directed to them and for them on what the Catholic Church really professes about women. It is a place to meet other like-minded Christian women and it is a great place to discover how women can live their love for Jesus out into their lives,” Balfour said.

Those speaking at the conference include Noelle Garcia, musician and blogger; Sheri Wohlfert, writer; Sally Robb, radio host, Carol Weiler, certified spiritual director and back by popular demand, Dr. Margarett Schlientez.

“Margarett has a master’s degree in theology and spirituality and a doctorate in psychiatric nursing. She was one of our top rated speakers last year and we are so excited she is able to join us again this year,” Balfour said.

In her talk, Garcia hopes to remind women of their personal value. “The message of the talk is very simple and right from Psalms…I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. At the heart of every women is the question, am I lovable. Sadly I have found more women say no to that question than yes. Not because they aren’t lovable, but because they can’t get over their failures and insecurities enough to let God love and heal them and derive their worth from Him. When we realize how valuable we are simply because God loves us, we will do amazing things and as St. Catherine of Siena says, we will set the world ablaze,” Garcia said.

Wohlfert will continue the message of drawing closer to God’s abundant love in her talk. “We are loved without condition and without limit by someone who can only do us good, never harm. I don’t think we can fully wrap our minds around that so we will spend some time unpacking that idea and thinking about receiving that gift. We have to prepare for that gift and be able to recognize and receive it to the full,” said Wohlfert.

Registration is open at www.pilgrimcenterofhope.org/conferences/cwc/ for more information and to register online for this faith filled event that is purposely planned to rekindle that special relationship with the Father.