Claire Dwyer and her family.In 1995, I was nearing graduation as a student at the Franciscan University with a degree in theology when I learned about the tragic impact of the radical feminist movement in Beijing, China. My father was a lobbyist at the UN conference on Women in Beijing and I remember sitting on the floor of my dorm room as he told me with great concern about their move to redefine gender. I knew this was wrong, very wrong, and I wanted to find out more about what the Church, in her wisdom, had taught about authentic femininity.
Pictured from left to right: Dr. Theresa Wilfert, Vickie Adams, Regional Coordinator Brenda Dooley, Facilitator Karen Brown, and Pam BilliotKaren Brown has been Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans (CCRNO) retreat devotee for 20 years. Karen answered the "call" to become a Women of Grace Facilitator at the 2014 CCRNO Retreat. She recalls, "I desired to do more to share what I had experienced in my life through the Holy Spirit." Karen’s desire and her heartfelt "yes" has certainly born the fruit of that response. The Women of Grace in attendance at this year’s CCRNO Retreat definitely agree as do all the participants from St. John's Parish. We are grateful for the faith-filled support and encouragement of Father Robert Cavalier, Pastor of St. John the Baptist's Parish whose support is indispensable!
Johnnette Benkovic with Regional Coordinator, Monique RissoIn the April of 2014, Johnnette was invited by an eager group of women who wanted to bring the transforming message of authentic femininity to "the Rock" of Gibraltar. Monique Risso graciously gave her "YES" to becoming our local Regional Coordinator. Already she and her team have brought the program to several parishes, leading many women to embrace their mission as Catholic women. They even helped to launch Women of Grace in Spain!
My name is Diana Salsman and when I became the Women of Grace Regional Coordinator for Texas, I was humbled and yet eager to help all women in Texas discern the specific mission entrusted to them by Our Loving Father. As I meet many of the women during their time of learning, as well as at their Going Forth Celebrations, I am edified at the beautiful ways Our Lady and her spouse, the Holy Spirit, guide them. I recently attended a Spanish Women of Grace Going Forth ceremony. I was blessed to be among such beautiful Women of Grace, and witness deep transformations and conversions of faith. I wish to now introduce you to a couple of these women as they share their personal stories of transformation through the Women of Grace study program.
Women of Grace Christmas Caroling with the home-bound.Our Lady of Fatima Church in Lafayette launched its Women of Grace study program during Lent of 2014. The fruit of the Lenten program and the newly added Advent program has borne an evangelical sisterhood of 175 women. Through this sisterhood, the parish family is reaping the fruits of what these women have received through their “Women of Grace” study experience.
This week we will be celebrating the #WeekofGrace. It is a week to highlight the ways that women of grace are transforming lives around the world. We will feature testimonials that have been submitted on our website and via the radio program. Johnnette will be interviewing several individuals who will share their stories of hope and transformation.
Karol Meynard was born and raised in Lafayette, LA by loving parents whose values included God, Catholic faith and morals, family, and community service. She attended twelve years of Catholic education at Mount Carmel Academy; obtained a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Southwestern Louisiana; and earned a Masters in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University of New Orleans. She is a Secular Discalced Carmelite, a Master Catechist, and a Certified Director of Religious Education. For the past twenty three years, Karol has been employed by the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana; the first ten years as Court Instructor for the Office of the Tribunal and the past thirteen years as Director of the Office of Pro Life Apostolate. Karol is the widow of Deacon Leonard Meynard and together they have 7 married children and 15 grandchildren.
My name is Rose Newcomer and I am literally a “newcomer” since I have only been a Women of Grace Regional Coordinator for the past year. My journey began in 2008 when I attended my first Malvern Retreat. It was at this retreat that I met a woman who was to become a very dear friend in my life. She introduced me to the Women of Grace Full of Grace: Women and the Abundant Life Foundational Study Program at her parish and since then I have facilitated seven classes, bringing this life transforming gift to nearly 100 faith-filled daughters of God.
