Diocesan Women Gather In Faith
Mothers, daughters, sisters … women of all walks of life gathered at St. John the Baptist Parish in Newburgh on Sept. 17 to participate in the Gather in Faith Women’s Conference.
More than 280 women attended the event, which included two keynote speakers, breakout sessions and song. St. John the Baptist parishioner Bethany Logan and her crew of volunteers were present in their pink and gray t-shirts. As keynote speaker Lisa Hendey said, “When the team asks you for your help in making this conference twice as large this year, please consider your yes.”
Hendey displayed her wit and wisdom as she encouraged women to give their yes to generosity, love, humility, and even giving a yes to saying no. Founder and editor of CatholicMom.com and the bestselling author of the “Chime Travelers” children's fiction series, “The Grace of Yes” and ‘The Handbook for Catholic Moms”, she stressed that saying yes to God can make huge ripples in the world around us.
“It’s those tiny acts of love that make our world a better place,” she said. “In a year filled with election craziness, war and violence in our streets, your yes is critical.”
Hendey spoke of a daily recommitment to God in her address. As much as she deeply desires to live her days in prayer, from the time her feet hit the floor someone needs her. So she shared her simple daily prayer: “God, I give you my yes today. Whatever it is, I want it to be your will today. Make it clear to me that whatever it is I’m here to do it.”
One of the tenets Hendey spoke of in saying yes was the ability to ask for help and graciously accept it. This message was heard throughout the day, and was repeated in the second keynote address by Kelly Craig Schaefer.
Schaefer, author of “Fractured, Not Broken,” told her story of a tragic accident changing her path in life. The former cheerleader from Jasper survived an accident in which she, her brother and a number of friends were hit by a drunk driver in 1999, leaving her a quadriplegic.
Her story, told with tears and laughter, gave a very honest impression of someone who has had her faith tested. “I was very angry,” Schaefer said.”I actually said to God in the ICU, ‘Either I walk out of here, or I die here. I don’t want anything in between.’ In between is what I got.” She learned through encounters with others that life can be beautiful despite its circumstances.
“I saw others owning it...I needed to do that too,” Schaefer said.”My resentment was with God who controls everything. After the accident we received so many letters and cards offering hope through scripture. One verse kept reappearing: Romans 8:28: ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose;’ and through it I realized God causes all of this to work together, the good and the bad, not for my purpose, not for our purpose, but for his purpose…. We have to trust that God’s plan is better than our own plan.”
Schaefer listed how she met goals she had seen as unattainable after the accident. Now a teacher, wife and mother of two children, she is living out her God-altered plan with faith and love.
Breakout sessions were held over topics such as marriage, prayer life, technology and parenting. Speakers included Cynthia Barfield, Norma Folz, Leigh Gray, Benedictine Father Godfrey Mullen, Sister of Providence Mary Mundy, Carol Niehaus, Mimi Scheessele and Amy Schroeder.
Music played an important part in the day’s spirituality. Members of St. John the Baptist’s choir and young adult choir began the day leading song during Mass and before the opening of the conference. Following lunch Annie-Rose Keith led attendees in praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Priests were present over the lunch break to offer the sacrament of reconciliation to the conference participants. At the end of the conference a prayer service was held and door prizes were awarded.
