Ten years ago I went for a walk with Alice von Hildebrand. The lovely Catholic philosopher and theologian had come into Phoenix to give a talk on God’s love, and desiring to enjoy the weather and the views around Camelback mountain, she found me a willing companion. Our conversation turned to my uncle, who had recently died after a terribly painful battle with stomach cancer. I had described his life to her, and then she stopped me, looked into my eyes, and said in her beautiful accent, “You’ve got to write that.” Firmly. And I knew I should, not just because when Alice von Hildebrand tells you to do something, you probably should, but also because deep down I knew it was true. So…it took me nine years, but here goes, and intentionally in time for the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, May 1st.
This young Woman of Grace isn't shy about sharing her enthusiasm for the new Young Women of Grace program. She is bubbling over with excitement about the course and what a difference it is making in her life. Let us keep all of these precious young women in our prayers as they open their hearts and minds to this life-changing - and very counter-cultural - message.
During a recent visit to Dallas, PA to speak about authentic femininity, I shared my evolution from a birth control pill-popping feminist to a woman who no longer needed to play the part of an "object" for men's pleasure. After the talk, Jessica Nickel, a 32 year old wife and mother of a toddler shared her own story about how the pill is too often prescribed for women as a panacea rather than what it is - a problem.
It is said that a journey begins with the first step but I believe that it actually begins with a gentle push from God. The first time I heard Johnnette speak was in 2003 at a small church called St. Mary’s in Lutz, FL. I purchased her book, “Full of Grace” and fell in love with the concept of Women and the Abundant Life.
Gemma Elizabeth Philomena Evanisch, 14 with Sue Brinkmann
I had the pleasure of beholding some of Pennsylvania’s most spectacular views of the plush hills surrounding the city of Wilkes Barre during a recent visit to Gate of Heaven Parish in nearby Dallas. It was here that I was able to introduce dozens of women – both young and not so young – to the wonders of authentic femininity.
Spiritual motherhood was the main topic of this week’s meeting of Young Women of Grace. The girls learned all about their very special call to spiritually mother this hurting world - and how to best accomplish that colossal task in this our day and time.
It's only fitting that during this Lenten season, we have the opportunity to celebrate the Feast of St. Katharine Drexel, a woman who lived to the full the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
The discussion that took place during our last Young Women of Grace meeting confirmed the reason why we feel so passionately about this study - our girls are under-fire daily in our rapidly unraveling culture and are in desperate need of encouragement, counsel, and support!
On February 6, Mothers and daughters from the suburban Philadelphia area enjoyed an afternoon filled with tea, sweets, and lots of discovery about the glories of womanhood, including a peak at our brand new Young Women of Grace study.
Richard Zeidler, my “Uncle Dick”
