Meeting at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, these girls are rocking our new study and having themselves a good time while they're at it!

“They love being able to share their faith and to talk about things at school that concern them and their faith,” said Christine Arnold, Women of Grace Regional Coordinator for Western Pennsylvania. “It’s a great place to talk confidentially and form a sacred sisterhood.”

Facilitated by Ann Marie Lapkowicz, there are seven girls in the group who come together twice a month on Sunday afternoon for a 90 minute class. Most are sophomores in high school with two in Catholic school and five in public school.

“The girls really seem to like the content and how the material is presented,” Christine said.

While studying the lesson on vocations, the group invited a guest speaker, fellow parishioner Alexandra DeRose who spoke to the girls about the vocation of marriage.

Another presentation on the vocation of religious life really hit home with the girls when they were able to watch a rerun of an Oprah Winfrey show which was dedicated to women who chose to enter the religious life – a show that featured a member of their own parish who entered the convent!

“They really enjoyed that,” Christine said.

She had no problem getting a group together. Thanks to the endorsement of Women of Grace from Harrisburg Bishop Ronald W. Gainer, she was able to advertise in the diocesan paper as well as in parish bulletins.

The group’s facilitator, who happens to be the mother of a teenaged girl, was also instrumental in getting the word out to moms that there was a new study designed to introduce young girls to the concept of authentic femininity and counter the toxic messages being sent to our girls by the media.

The group plans to take the summer off and will resume the study in the fall.

Click here for more information on how to start a group in your area!