St. Philip Parish Hosts Women's Evening Of Faith

More than 200 guests filled the gymnasium of St. Philip School on April 27 to celebrate the Women’s Evening of Faith Dinner, held annually as a collaborative event between St. Philip and Corpus Christi Parishes.  

The two parishes rotate hosting the event, which began as an outcome of sharing Father Dusty Burns as pastor of both parishes.

Joining the St. Philip and Corpus Christi community was nationally known Catholic speaker Patty Schneier.  The energetic wife and mother-of-three engaged the crowd with her talk titled, “God, I really don’t have time for this.”  This topic grew from the speaker’s own prayer journals, as she discovered the recurring theme.

Schneier spoke of how she lived her life being “Catholic enough.”  A parish mission inspired her with the encouragement to have a morning prayer time.  Small steps encouraged her to help and equip ordinary Catholics to have the prayer life they wish to attain.

    Schneier was born and raised Catholic, and felt she was “doing enough.” A cantor for the parish, she participated in Mass along with her husband and family.  They volunteered on Parish Council and the school.  After they discovered the Theology of the Body, Schneier and her husband went through a conversion that caused their lives to change.  “And we’ve never looked back, “ Scheier says.

    Her first talk was titled, “Prove it, God!” and in Schneier’s words, He did. “I was not different than the thief on the cross who said to God, ‘If you’re the Son of God, come down from that cross and prove it.’ I was no different than Pontius Pilate who had all truth in front of him, and he asked, ‘What is truth?’ That was me. I had all truth, was born and raised in it, and asked, can I follow this?”

A former high school teacher, Schneier has given talks to students and parents alike on chastity and God’s plan for all.  Her speaking engagements have taken her all throughout the United States from coast to coast.

“It’s a beautiful experience to see the Catholic faith lived out amongst our families; to meet different priests and bishops throughout the country,” Schneier said. “ I’m the one usually saying,’Pinch me - I can’t believe I get to do this.’”

    For more information about Schneier and her message, visit www.pattyschneier.com.  Her latest book, Love Letters from Mom on What Matters Most is available for purchase online, as well as digital downloads of her presentations and music.