2009 Catholic Women's Conference

The Catholic Women's Conference is the topic for this week's "Catholicism Live!" Wednesday, August 19th on Catholic Television series on CTSA/Time Warner Channel 15 and simulcasted on Guadalupe Radio, 89.7 FM.

"Why a Catholic Women's Conference?" By Mary Jane Fox

After reading an article in Canticle Magazine titled "The Vocation of Holy Womanhood" by Amy Love; I was convinced that every woman needed to learn about the beauty of their vocation as woman. The article was encouraging, inspirational, educational and exciting. In sharing my excitement with my husband, Tom, he suggested I organize a Woman's Conference. My immediate response was 'no, I am already too busy!'. However, the Holy Spirit had already planted a seed in my heart with a yearning to share with other women the beauty of our vocation as woman. And so it began - the first Catholic Women's Conference was held in 2001. Anbd it has continued each year. Thanks to a Steering Committee of 14 women; the Committee meets throughout the year planning this annual event reaching to all women.

There is a great need for a Catholic Woman's Conference:
--To renew families and society by enriching women's relationship with God, fostering appreciation for the personal dignity of women and inspiring women to use their feminine gifts for the good of all.
--To educate on the very nature and dignity of woman.
--The dignity, role and sometimes the rights of womanhood has been diminished in many ways.
--There is an increased number of single mothers, higher rate of divorce even among Catholics.
--An increasing fear among many due to economical stress, war, the confusion and turmoil among some youth.
--Lack of proper stewardship of time to spend for oneself (for prayer, for meditation, for spiritual growth, for physical exercise, for a healthy balance)!

Seems that I am presenting a bleak picture…but it is a cause for us to face reality to grow in faith and in hope.
The Good News is that God never changes and He is always present in all situations. God's Mercy is available…but how many know it is available if only they ask?
God's forgiveness is available…but how many know how to receive it?
God's presence is apparent…but how many have been introduced to an experience with God…with His peace…to Jesus?

The Catholic Women's Conference (CWC) is an opportunity to invite women to learn, to be healed, to be encouraged and to be given spiritual tools.

The CWC is like a "spiritual haven" or perhaps for some a "spiritual hospital"…a time to remove all the junk, heartaches from our lives (at least a beginning process) and to be touched by the Divine Healer, Jesus our Lord.

And for those who serve as volunteers, as "CWC partners" during the Conference, it can be a time of fraternal charity and service to the hundred of women who will come with open hearts, in search for a deeper faith and hope to live on!

If one woman is led to Christ and renewed in her faith and hope in the Truth, she then affects many - her family, friends, co-workers, the community!

I invite you to make an effort to attend the Catholic Women's Conference on September 11-12, 2009 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, I can assure you will receive many blessings when you come with an open heart.

For details go to www.cwc2009.org or call us at 210-521-3377.