By Ruby Thomas, Record Staff Writer
The Archdiocese of Louisville is preparing to host its first Catholic Women’s Conference Nov. 7 and organizers said they are prepared to receive 300-400 women.
The event, themed “Setting Our Hearts on God,” will take place at St. Patrick Church, 1000 N. Beckley Station Road, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Organizers said there will be something for women of all ages and backgrounds, just like the Catholic Men’s Conference, which was held for the fourth time last March.
Barbara Klump — chairperson of the Catholic Women’s Conference planning committee — said the idea grew out of discussions with women in the diaconate community. Her husband is a deacon. She heard women saying, “the men have a conference. Why can’t we have a one?”
About two years ago, Klump said, she took the idea to other women in the archdiocese and they decided to form a committee to consider the possibility of a women’s gathering. She also noted that they held “listening sessions” to determine what women wanted to be included in the conference.
What she found out, she explained, is that women of all ages and ethnicities wanted the opportunity to gather.
“We want to offer a prayerful day for women in the archdiocese where they can enhance their spirituality, share about their faith and learn more about God,” said Klump.
The Archdiocese’s Office of Multicultural Ministry (OMM), the Office of Adult Formation and Initiation and women from around the archdiocese have helped plan the conference.
Annette Turner, executive director of the OMM, and Kay Frazier, associate director of the OMM, are two of the women Klump has been working with
in the planning. Both agree that the time is right for a first women’s conference.
“The Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Louisville is very diverse,” said Frazier. It’s important, she noted, that this conference reflects that.
Turner added that the time is “right and ready” for such an event, noting that both Pope Francis and Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz have encouraged Catholics to “bring their gifts to the church.”
“This event will provide the type of enrichment and collected wisdom from a diverse community that so many women are seeking,” said Turner.
The event will begin with a welcome message from Archbishop Kurtz, followed by the keynote address by ValLimar Jansen.
Jansen is a “highly regarded and sought-after singer, composer, inspirational and catechetical speaker,” according to biographical information published on the conference’s website.
Debbie Minton, a member of the planning committee, said she’s had the opportunity to hear Jansen on several occassions.
“She has an incredible voice and uses it to lift up everyone’s spirit,” said Minton. “She’s a master storyteller who gives new insight into well known Scripture stories.”
Participants will hear from several other speakers during two break-out sessions, which will include more than a dozen workshops, two of them in Spanish.
Eva Gonzalez, director of Hispanic ministry in the archdiocese’s Office of Multicultural Ministry will present a workshop in Spanish called “Missionary Disciples.” The session “will explore the meaning of discipleship through the lens of Hispanic women,” according to a statement from the event’s organizers.
Dr. Jane Thibault, University of Louisville professor emerita, will lead a workshop on “Aging Gracefully,” which will focus on ways women can serve in the church, regardless of age.
“Hearts on Fire for God” is the title of a workshop to be lead by Therese Wilson-Favors, executive director for the National Black Catholic Congress.
A workshop for children in kindergarten through fifth grade will be available, as well. The title is “Following Jesus” and it will be led by Audrey Penman, director of the Catholic Enrichment Center (CEC), and Dorice Firmin, family life skills coordinator at the CEC.
Priests also will be available to hear confessions throughout the day, including for women whose first language is Spanish, Vietnamese or French. The conference will conclude with a Mass with Archbishop Kurtz.
The Catholic Women’s Conference website is www.cwclouisville.net and women are encouraged to register online. The cost, which includes a continental breakfast, is $30 for adults and $5 for children. Payment may be made online as well.
A paper registration form and flyer has been sent to parishes throughout the archdiocese. Those forms can be sent with checks to: Archdiocese of Louisville, CWC, 1935 Lewiston Drive, Louisville, Ky., 40216.
