Hello Everyone!

I am finally back and feeling much better. I seemed to beat the upper respiratory infection only to have it come back again.

So, after about four weeks of mild fever, coughing, and a generalized fatigue, I am back blogging.

In the meantime, much has been going on.

Women of Grace held its fourth annual retreat and leadership institute at Malvern outside of Philadelphia, PA . It was preceded by the Women of Grace Leadership Institute which I presented. Through presentations and a workshop format, the women who attended not only realized their specific call and mission in this our day and time and the virtues necessary to engage it, but also developed their personal vision and mission statements, goals and strategies to fulfill it. Based on their evaluations and comments, it was well-received and blessed the women abundantly. 

The retreat began with the opening dinner at 6 PM on Friday evening with 340 women in attendance.  Its theme was “The Blessed Mother, The Angels, and The Spiritual Battle”  and it was one powerful retreat weekend!

Our keynote speaker, who gave the majority of the talks due to my ragged voice and health, was Kathleen Towne. Our participants benefited greatly by her teachings. She captivated their attention as she discussed the fall of the angels, the way to discern between the good angels and the bad, how the demonic presents itself to us, and the tools to combat evil spirits. With conviction, humor, and insight, Kathleen helped the women to see that through Christ Jesus and our Blessed Mother,the victory is truly ours.

I was able to squeak out one two hour talk (yes, can you imagine!), and two half-hour talks which reminded us of our call, our mission, the importance of Our Lady especially at this moment in the history of man, and how each one of us has been chosen by God to be a conduit of His life in the world today. The women were on their feet with holy zeal, and a true desire to be those valiant women of grace at this critical, pivotal, and historic juncture in time.

Father Edmund Sylvia, C.S.C. gave three marvelous homilies which anchored the women in the blessings of Holy Mother Church, the gift of the sacraments, the Holy Spirit and Our Lady. During the healing service on Saturday night, Father processed among the women with the Blessed Sacrament, pausing to bless them as they opened their hearts to the healing action of God. Many women were set free and experienced hope and new life as the graces flowed from Our Lord’s Eucharistic Presence.

Three selfless, dedicated, and loving priests tended to the women’s spiritual needs throughout the weekend — and I do mean throughout the weekend. Father Richard Fineo (North Dakota), Father Michael Fitzpatrick (Massachusetts), and Monsignor Robert Laliberte (North Dakota), prayed and interceded for all of the women as the talks were being presented. But, they ministered to the women via the Sacrament of Reconciliation for hours on end — one period of time from early morning, throughout the evening, to the wee hours of the next morning ( about 18 hours in all! ). So many women availed themselves of the sacrament after having been away for as many as 30 years or more.

Two break-out sessions were offered to the women during the retreat. Thomas K. Sullivan, author of the book, Called to Knighthood: The Sacrament of Confirmation in the Kingdom Family of God http://womenofgrace.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=863, spoke about the importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation in the life of the Christian and why this sacrament is especially vital today.

Martha Nicolli and Vicki Crispo conducted the information session for the Women of Grace Foundational Study. Their presentation and assistance helped several women to become new facilitators for the program. Vicki’s husband, Deacon Neil Crispo, gave his testimony as to how the Women of Grace Study changed his life by way of his wife. Look for this testimony soon to be added to our website. You won’t want to miss it!

Our next annual Women of Grace Retreat will be at Malvern the weekend of July 23, 2010. This retreat sells out quickly so begin to make your plans now.