“This is My Body, which is given for you.” - Luke 22:19
HAMMOND – There was liturgy, prayer, adoration and inspiration – and even shopping – as 300 women gathered on April 1 at Bishop Noll Institute for the 2023 Northwest Indiana Catholic Women’s Conference, the fifth such event, interrupted only in 2021 by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ve been to every one,” said Pamela Varchetto, of Knox, a parishioner at St. Thomas. “I enjoy the companionship and camaraderie, not only being with Catholics, but simply as women coming together to talk. You find out that a lot of things you are going through in your life, other women are going through, too.
It is a time to get comfort, get advice and understand your faith better,” added Varchetto, a self-described “Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, lector, baker and catechist.
“The whole thing is inspiring and uplifting, and it is only one day. You aren’t ‘giving anything up’ to come – the garden and the laundry will still be there tomorrow.”
This year’s conference, in recognition of the National Eucharistic Revival 2022-25, focused on gaining inspiration from the precious gift of the Eucharist, which Catholics throughout the United States are studying with greater interest.
Proudly recalling that he received his First Holy Communion 52 years ago on March 31, Bishop Robert J. McClory opened the conference by celebrating Mass with the 300 women (and a few men) in attendance, calling it “the privilege, the blessing of the gift of the Holy Eucharist that Jesus is pouring out for us.”
While some Protestant religions question Catholics for venerating a crucifix that depicts Christ nailed to a cross in death instead of celebrating his Resurrection, Bishop McClory explained that in reality, “We are reminding ourselves of Jesus’ death on the cross because it means he gave himself for us … that this offering would serve for all ages … taking away the sins of the world.
“His Body and Blood given up for us, what else more beautiful could we imagine?” said the bishop.
Also focusing on the Eucharist – with a decidedly female flavor – was keynote speaker Father Roger J. Landry, a seminary classmate of Bishop McClory who serves as a priest in the Diocese of Fall River, Mass. and chaplain to Columbia University in NYC and the Thomas Merton Institute for Catholic Life, as well as a Eucharistic Preacher for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s Eucharistic Revival.
“The Eucharist is supposed to change who we are, have a major impact on our lives,” Father Landry said. If a follower believes in The Real Presence “and gives witness to Jesus,” he added, “How can we keep Jesus to ourselves?”
To inspire his audience, Father Landry offered short biographies of 15 female saints, starting with the Blessed Virgin Mary and listing both well-known holy women – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Bernadette Soubirous, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Faustina Kowalska and St. Teresa of Calcutta – as well as possibly lesser known but no less devout women including Blessed Imelda Lambertini, St. Gemma Galgani, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Frances of Rome, St. Catherine of Siena, Blessed Alexandrina da Costa and St. Claire of Assisi. (To read about each of these saints, visit catholicpreaching.com and find “Most Recent Talks”.)
Father Landry also drew a large audience for his second presentation concerning the Eucharist, “Transmitting Our Eucharistic Faith, Amazement, Love and Life to the Young.”
Admitting it is a challenging task, especially in an age “where it is hindered by our culture, especially pervasive secularism, scientism and scandals,” Father Landry said. “The challenges are real, but the opportunities are real, too.
“The Church doesn’t have a mission, but IS a mission,” he stressed. “Our example matters; we can draw people to the faith or be an obstacle.”
Father Landry agreed that there is “a rapid increase in religious illiteracy, but there is also a great hunger for God, for stability, answers to the ‘big’ questions and for the satisfaction of the restless heart.”
Eve Figueroa of Chicago was drawn to the conference last year by the participation of well-known speaker Father Donald Calloway, M.I.C., popular author of “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father,” and returned this year to experience again “the unity of the religious people and what they bring. It is a secure feeling and brings you closer to God.”
One of her companions, Mia Valadez, said she brought her daughter this year “because I wanted her to experience the unity, the overall feeling” of the day. “I thought it was awesome for a group of women with similar beliefs to come together and listen to these testimonies,” Valadez added.
Carolyn Martinelli of Highland, a parishioner at St. Thomas More in Munster, said she took the day off work to attend her first women’s conference. “My friend, Sherrie Peters, brought me to this wonderful day. I look forward to the Mass and the speakers, (since) I’ve never heard any of them before. “The exhibitors are interesting; I’ve got to go back to check them out.”
Peters, a parishioner at Our Lady of Grace in Highland, said she especially enjoyed radio personality/evangelist Sonia Corbett last year and was happy to return to the conference. “I learned a lot last year, and I’ve even kept in touch with one of the vendors,” she said.
