The fifth annual ENDOW Catholic Women’s Conference went off with flying colors and abundant blessings this past weekend at St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial, CO. Facilitators of ENDOW were treated to a very special pre-conference retreat by Fr. Scott Traynor titled “Behold, I am with You Always: Daily Life in Christ.” Fr. Scott led facilitators and friends of ENDOW through a wonderful day of joy filled teaching, meditation and prayer including a most beautiful celebration of mass in the company of 18 relics of beloved Saints. What an experience it was of the presence of the Communion of Saints! The faithful women of ENDOW were blessed to participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the very presence of all of those blessed relics!
While some women participated in the pre-conference retreat, others participated in new facilitator training which was held for women to learn all about becoming facilitators and to experience an in-depth overview of ENDOW’s signature study guide “Letter to Women.”
The evening continued with a wonderful dinner together while we all listened to a very heartfelt, touching and moving talk by His Excellency Archbishop José H. Gomez titled “Strong Women and Holy Mothers: lessons from Scripture and the Lives of the Saints.” What inspiration we heard from Archbishop Gomez to imitate the holy, loving and prayerful lives of the saints who have gone before us....especially all of those “hidden and unknown” ones who were the mothers and sisters of so many well known saints.
Bright and early on Saturday morning, Archbishop José H. Gomez celebrated a most beautiful mass for all and, once again, it truly was a pure taste of heaven right there in the beautiful sanctuary of St. Thomas More....in the company of all the relics and of all the ladies of ENDOW. What a way to start off another blessed day!
We first heard all about Dorothy Day from Dr. Terrence C. Wright, and about St. Catherine of Siena from Sr. Catherine Droste, O.P, and about Edith Stein (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) from Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell. A real treat on top of hearing the excellent speakers was the opportunity to have ENDOW style small table discussions after each speaker. It was a terrific way to get to know new ladies and to experience the flavor of ENDOW for those who have yet to be involved in a study group. After a panel discussion by the speakers, the day wound up with many very happy hearts and smiling faces.
While the women’s Conference was in full swing there was also a very special ENDOW Teen Retreat and Conference titled “True Freedom. A Weekend Adventure.” The presenters were Kate and Brigid Sweeney from the ENDOW staff. Kate and Brigid always draw the hearts of the young girls into a deeper love of Christ and his Church through enthusiastic presentations which are filled with joy and humor!
A special thanks to all those who worked tirelessly on making this Conference what many have said “the very best one yet!” Rumor has it that the evaluations are full of words of praise and gratitude for a truly outstanding Conference! Check out the ENDOW website soon to purchase CD’s of the talks.
May God bring forth much fruit in our hearts and lives from this great time of fellowship in Christ.
Praise and thanksgiving to God for the time of great blessing and grace at the ENDOW Women's Conference!
