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.

Speaking to more than 60 women, I shared the story of my own conversion back to the faith after wandering around in radical feminism for more than 15 years. It was only after reading Mulieris Dignitatem (On the Dignity and Vocation of Women), and learning about what it means to be authentically feminine, that I realized I had it all wrong.

“After reading the document, I remember thinking to myself, ‘I kinda like this stuff! Did a pope really write this?’” I told the crowd.

For the first time in my life, I understood why men and women were truly equal, how the centuries of discrimination against women were never meant to be, and how Jesus’ equal treatment of women during His day was so radical. In fact, it was Jesus’ teachings about marriage that granted women their first taste of liberation because it spared them from the impoverishment that came with divorce. It also made the same moral code obligatory to both men and women, thus putting the sexes on the same footing for the first time in history.

I couldn’t help but wonder, “Could this stuff really be coming from that old dinosaur known as the Catholic Church?”

As I slowly made my way back into the Church, my eyes were opened to many of the lies which imbue today’s culture, particularly about birth control and abortion, and finally convinced me to forsake my former beliefs and say goodbye to the feminism that once ruled my life.

“And I don’t regret it,” I said. “In fact, the happiest times in my life have been since I returned to God and His Church here on earth.”

I wanted to share my story, as embarrassing as it is, because it shows just how transformative it can be to come to terms with God’s idea of women, which is the main goal of Women of Grace.

“Everything we do at Women of Grace revolves around getting this message out to women. Exposing them to the truth . . . so that they can be healed of the damage, the injury, that is being done to us in this our day and time.”

(L/R) Emily Bacon, 14, Marigrace Huntington, 13, and Grace Ciaccia, 14

But we’re not stopping at women – we want to reach our girls too! I spoke at length about the Young Women of Grace program and told them how excited we are to be introducing this to girls ages 12-17.

“Imagine being able to infuse the minds of our girls with the same exalted view of their femininity!” I said. “We all know they’re not getting this message from the culture.”

No sooner had I finished speaking when a former Women of Grace facilitator named Janine Evanisch stood up and told the crowd just how life-changing the study can be.

“Especially the chapter on forgiveness. I was really struggling with some issues at the time and it really helped me,” she said.

I was also approached by her daughter, Gemma Elizabeth Philomena Evanisch, 14, who announced that she wanted to be a Young Woman of Grace. As it turns out, Gemma is already well on the way. A staunch supporter of life, she told me how she brought a pro-abortion protestor to tears during the last March for Life simply by witnessing to the truth.

Three other girls also came up to say they were interested in becoming Young Women of Grace. Emily Bacon, 14, Marigrace Huntington, 13, and Grace Ciaccia, 14, were all excited about the program and were full of helpful suggestions such as how we need an “app” for the program and need to get our Twitter and Instagram accounts up and running.

“We can help!” they volunteered.

Several women came forward to say they were going to start either Women of Grace and/or Young Women of Grace groups – with some suggesting that they might run the programs concurrently so mothers and daughters can experience this transforming message at the same time.

It was truly a holy night, complete with the blessing of Gate of Heaven pastor, Rev. Daniel A. Toomey and a delicious spread of goodies donated by attendees. We all had a wonderful time.

And in the process, we all came a little closer to accomplishing our sacred mandate to “save the peace of the world” – one woman at a time!