I find it a bit spiritually amusing that I am replying to a blog about women covering their heads in Church since I only recently have taken up the custom again.
Thirty potential facilitators and teachers for the Young Women of Grace program attended a hands-on training session on May 14 at the Sisters of St. Joseph convent in Watertown, New York.
Richard Zeidler, my “Uncle Dick”Ten years ago I went for a walk with Alice von Hildebrand. The lovely Catholic philosopher and theologian had come into Phoenix to give a talk on God’s love, and desiring to enjoy the weather and the views around Camelback mountain, she found me a willing companion. Our conversation turned to my uncle, who had recently died after a terribly painful battle with stomach cancer. I had described his life to her, and then she stopped me, looked into my eyes, and said in her beautiful accent, “You’ve got to write that.” Firmly. And I knew I should, not just because when Alice von Hildebrand tells you to do something, you probably should, but also because deep down I knew it was true. So…it took me nine years, but here goes, and intentionally in time for the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, May 1st.
It is said that a journey begins with the first step but I believe that it actually begins with a gentle push from God. The first time I heard Johnnette speak was in 2003 at a small church called St. Mary’s in Lutz, FL. I purchased her book, “Full of Grace” and fell in love with the concept of Women and the Abundant Life.
Gemma Elizabeth Philomena Evanisch, 14 with Sue BrinkmannI 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.
Girls working on Saint Foldable activitySpiritual motherhood was the main topic of this week’s meeting of Young Women of Grace. The girls learned all about their very special call to spiritually mother this hurting world - and how to best accomplish that colossal task in this our day and time.
Photographer: JUAN BELTRAN | FC
Johnnette S. Benkovic, founder of Women of Grace, speaks to women during the one-day conference at St. Mark Church in Southwest Ranches.
It's only fitting that during this Lenten season, we have the opportunity to celebrate the Feast of St. Katharine Drexel, a woman who lived to the full the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
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