2024-03-08-eEdition

PAGE 18 THE CATHOLIC WEEK MARCH 8, 2024 ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH, AUBURN Inaugural conference reaches all wom en By SARAHWIESE For The Catholic Week AUBURN — “You are loved. You are not alone. He will never leave you. You are good.” These truths were spoken to about 150 women who attended the inaugural Renew Catholic Women’s Conference at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Auburn on Feb. 9-10. Keynote speaker Rachel Bulman, author at “Word on Fire,” reminded conference-goers that no matter the lies of the world, the hardships endured through their vocation, or how close they feel to God, these statements ring true for all eternity. Fr. Peyton Plessala, parochial vicar at St. Michael, opened the weekend with a reflection on Martha and Mary’s inter- action with Jesus in Luke 5. He spoke about how each woman reflects, in her person, a balance of Martha and Mary — that is, a balance of an active faith and a contemplative one — and their goal is to strike the right balance. This intergenerational reach was quite the draw for many women in the parish and surrounding communities. College- aged women through retirees, young newlyweds and mothers with grown children were all together, being filled during a weekend set apart from their other responsibilities. But through small group conversa- tions, communal prayer time and free time, women shared, learned and grew with and from each other in ways that other conferences don’t always facilitate. “So many of us are in different women’s ministries, typically separated by age. But this conference is one of the first chances we’ve had to come together, as women of the Church, intergenera- tionally,” said parishioner and panelist Marie Ruggiero. St. Michael Parish was primed for an event such as the Renew Catholic Women’s Conference after multiple at- tempts growing annual semi-virtual of- ferings since 2020’s lockdown measures due to COVID-19. “We knew we could offer more to the women at our parish, to grow commu- nity, and to feed their souls in ways that met their needs, right here and right now,” said Debbie Brooks, a member of the conference planning team and principal of St. Michael Catholic School. Details of the conference were planned for nine months, with the prior- ity of ensuring that women in any stage of life, who carry responsibilities of all kinds, could take just eight hours across two days to find respite within the local offering. Moreover, the wide range of sessions and activities throughout the confer- ence, including an “after party” wine and cheese social on Friday night as well as a period of Eucharistic Adoration, were specifically chosen to fill women’s souls and desire for connection with Christ- centered women. The conference sent many women back to families and other responsibili- ties with a stronger conviction of their purpose, their mission, their daughter- hood and their ability to both give and receive the love of God, regardless of their vocation. As they all sat at the feet of the Lord being renewed, it was clear they had chosen the better part. Photo courtesy of Ariel Goodman/Fine Southern Photography About 150 women attended the inaugural Renew Catholic Women's Conference at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Auburn.