Annual Women’s Conference coming Feb. 20 to Fort Myers
Women from the 10-county Diocese of Venice will soon be gathering for the second annual “Women of Faith… Women of Action” Conference Feb. 20 at BishopVerotHigh School.
The Diocese of Venice will honor women of all ages and provide them with an opportunity for spiritual renewal at this exciting one-day event.
More than 200 women attended the first women’s conference in 2009 and organizers hope to bring in more people this year for a day of spiritual renewal, solidarity and personal growth for all women.
“I want this day to be an opportunity to reflect upon your own feminine genius,” Bishop Frank J. Dewane said. “Many women work, often in obscurity, for the good of humanity and the Kingdom of God… It is also understood that the power, strength and “feminine genius” contribute much to the Church.”
This conference is different than the variety of other women’s events which take place each year on the parish level with nationally-known speakers including: Helen Alvaré, a senior fellow in law for the Culture of Life Foundation, and an associate professor of law at the George Mason University School of Law in Arlington, Va., and was named a consultor to the Pontifical Council for the Laity by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008; Christina Martinez, who was born in Chile and currently lives in Fort Myers and will talk about her personal faith journey; and Father Miguel Gonzalez, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Orlando and returns for a second year. Everyone will also be able to enjoy music by Gabriela Frie, a graduate of FranciscanUniversity, a musician with her first album recorded while in high school, "Light Unto the World."
Bishop Dewane will celebrate Mass at neighboring St. Cecelia Parish.
There will be an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation; a recitation of the rosary; and information about being a Catholic woman in the world today.
The day begins with 8 a.m. registration and continental breakfast. The registration fee for the conference is $25 for adults and $10 for students in advance and $30 for adults and $15 for students at the door. The registration fee includes lunch.
For more information or to register online visit the Diocese of Venice Web site at www.dioceseofvenice.org and follow the Women’s Conference link. Or you can call Ellen Bachman 941-721-7393 or Fran Patterson 239-540-7116.