'Humanae Vitae' expert to speak at sold out conference

During this 50th anniversary year of “Humanae Vitae,” those attending the Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference will hear from an expert on the subject.
Janet E. Smith, Ph.D., author of “Self-Gift: Essays on ‘Humanae Vitae’ and the Thought of John Paul II” will speak at the conference, Saturday, Nov. 10 at Assumption College. The title of her talk is, “The Sexual Mess that We Are In and How We Got Here.”
Professor Smith is the author of several books and numerous articles, including many appearing in the National Catholic Register and blogs on CatholicVote.com. She has dedicated her career to promoting the dignity of the human person and the beauty of the marital bond. She has taught philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, the University of Dallas, and now at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, where she holds the Father Michael J. McGivney Chair of Life Ethics.
Valued for her dedication and knowledge, she served three terms as a consultant for the Pontifical Council on the Family and served the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity as a member of the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission for eight years.
Many have seen her on Fox News, CNN, Al Jazeera, or more likely on various series on EWTN. Even more have come to embrace Pope Paul’s VI’s counter-cultural teachings by listening to her popular lecture “Contraception: Why Not?” on cassette, CD or MP3, with over 2 million copies in circulation.
Professor Smith exemplifies the theme of this year’s women’s conference, “To Know Him, to Love Him, to Serve Him.” As a young professor at Notre Dame, like many in the pro-life movement, she would stand in front of the abortion clinic in South Bend and pray, but she did not stop there. In 1984 she raised $30,000 in a telethon to establish the Women’s Care Center, helping women to protect the lives of their unborn children. Her passion led her to write “Humanae Vitae: A Generation Later” in 1991, a move that earned her the reputation as a fearless defender of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical. This, however, did not garner her any favors with progressive Catholics at the university considering her tenure. Despite meeting all the criteria, she was denied tenure. Fortunately, she was warmly accepted at the University of Dallas where she taught for 12 years.
Organizers of the 2018 women’s conference consider themselves blessed to have been able to secure Professor Smith as she has been in very high demand this year during the 50th anniversary of “Humanae Vitae.”
Besides Janet Smith, other featured speakers include Mother Mary Assumpta Long, Susie Lloyd, Helen Alvaré, and Susan Conroy.
In addition to the speakers program, the sacrament of reconciliation will be available during the lunch break. The conference will begin with the recitation of the rosary led by Bishop McManus and end with a Vigil Mass at 4 p.m. celebrated by Father Richard F. Reidy, diocesan vicar general.
Tickets for 400 participants are sold out. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. followed by the rosary at 8. A music program starts at 8:30, with welcoming remarks and prayer at 8:45. The speakers begin shortly after that.
More information can be found on the website www.worcestercatholicwomensconference.com.    

The Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference has sold out.
Organizer Corinn Dahm said Tuesday that there is a waiting list because the 400 seats for the Nov. 10 conference are filled. The conference is to be held in the Tsotsis Family Academic Center at Assumption College, 500 Salisbury St., Worcester.
One of the speakers if Susie Lloyd, a homeschooling mother, and award winning author of “Please Don’t Drink the Holy Water,” and “Bless Me, Father, for I Have Kids.”
The title of her talk will be, “Be Not Afraid of the Puddle in the High Chair.”
Susie Lloyd’s motto, “The uninterrupted life is not worth living,” exemplifies the theme of this year’s woman’s conference, “To Know Him, to Love Him, to Serve Him.” She is the youngest in a big Catholic family. She is a wife, mom of seven, grandmother, and a homeschool lifer. Her early education came from her parents who gave her good books to read and who made her memorize the Baltimore Catechism.
To her great surprise, Lloyd was the recipient of three Catholic Press Association awards for her writings. Her first two books, “Please Don’t Drink the Holy Water” and “Bless Me, Father, for I Have Kids” (Sophia Institute Press), bring comic relief to Catholic homeschooling families in the modern world. Her latest book, “Yes, God!” (Ave Maria Press) draws parenting lessons from the joys and struggles of modern families who have raised young priests and religious.
Her articles have appeared in “Faith and Family,” “Catholic Digest,” “Latin Mass Magazine,” “Crisis,” “Catholic Match Blog,” “Catholic Answers Magazine,” “Franciscan Way,” “TAN Homeschool Blog,” and “National Catholic Register.” Organizers of the 2018 women’s conference look forward to hearing Lloyd’s light-hearted real-world insights, which should allow attendees to relax and know they are not alone in the world.  
Besides Susie Lloyd, the other featured speakers at the Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference include Janet Smith, Mother Mary Assumpta Long, Helen Alvaré, and Susan Conroy.
In addition to the speakers program, organizers hope that women will take advantage of the availability of the sacrament of reconciliation during the lunch break, as well as visiting a variety of vendors with products and services of interest to Catholic women. The conference will begin with the recitation of the rosary led by Bishop McManus. The event will end with a Vigil Mass at 4 p.m. celebrated by Father Richard F. Reidy, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia.
For those women attending the conference, registration begins at 7:30 a.m. followed by the rosary at 8. A music program starts at 8:30, with welcoming remarks and prayer at 8:45. The speakers begin shortly after that. More information about the schedule and general conference information can be found on the website www.worcestercatholicwomensconference.com.
For questions call 508-277-3969 or email worcesterwomen2018@aol.com.





Susan Conroy to talk about time with Mother Teresa at Women's Conference

Susan Conroy will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference on Nov. 10 at Assumption College. While the name might not immediately ring a bell, her experiences with the beloved saint, Mother Teresa, will certainly have the conference attendees spellbound. The title of her speech is, “Learning from the Saints how to Love and Serve God.”
Conroy originates from Portland, Maine and grew up as the seventh of 10 children. While studying at Dartmouth College in 1986, she was inspired to journey to Kolkata, India to assist in orphanages and homes for the dying with Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity.
Upon meeting this significant, historical figure, Conroy said it was “extraordinary to be on her turf,” and she had “never seen someone so humble.” Conroy also talks about how she found joy in working in such a poverty-stricken place. She fed orphaned children, administered medicine, taught English, and played with the children. She picked dying men off the street to give them a peaceful place to pass away. She says, “When I arrived in India, my only training was having hands, a heart, and joy in working with the orphans, the sick, and the dying. In working with Mother Teresa, I saw how her humility, willingness, and love transformed the lives of others. From Mother Teresa I learned ‘Joy is half the gift you bring.’”
After returning from Kolkata, Susan describes the culture shock of returning to her own country. She finished her time at Dartmouth, and received a degree in economics, but she still found herself wanting something more. In 1987, Susan began staying with the Missionaries of Charity in the South Bronx, New York. Mother Teresa gave Susan permission to write a book about her experiences, to which Susan wrote two: Mother Teresa’s Lessons of Love and Secrets of Sanctity and Praying in the Presence of Our Lord with Mother Teresa.
Today, Susan travels around the U.S. talking about her experience with Mother Teresa. She has made many appearances on EWTN, and even hosted a mini-series called “Speaking of Saints.”
The Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference is pleased to be able to give attendees the opportunity to hear Susan Conroy speak about her experiences with St. Teresa of Kolkata.
Besides Susan Conroy, the other featured speakers at the Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference include Dr. Janet Smith, Susie Lloyd, Helen Alvaré, and Mother Mary Assumpta Long.
In addition to the speakers program, organizers hope that women will take advantage of the availability of the sacrament of reconciliation during the lunch break, as well as visiting a variety of vendors with products and services of interest to Catholic women. The conference will end with a Vigil Mass at 4 p.m. celebrated by  Bishop McManus .
More information about the conference can be found on the website www.worcestercatholicwomensconference.com.  Now through Oct. 13 ticket prices are $45 for adults and $25 for students, age 16-22. On Oct. 14 ticket prices will increase to $60 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online or by sending a check payable to RCB Diocese of Worcester, to WCWC, 12 Maynard Rd., Berlin, MA 01503. For questions call 508-277-3969.


Pro-life activist to speak

Professor Helen M. Alvaré, a pro-life activist, marriage and family advocate, and author of “Breaking Through: Catholic Women Speak for Themselves,” will be speaking at the Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference on Nov. 10 at Assumption College. The women coordinating the conference are excited for attendees to hear Helen Alvaré speak and get the opportunity to meet her. The title of her talk is, “Women and the Crisis: For the Church and the Next Generation.”

Alvaré is currently a professor of law at Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, where she teaches family law, law and religion, and property law. She received her law degree from Cornell University School of Law in 1984. In 1989 she went on to get her master’s degree in systematic theology from The Catholic University of America. She practiced with the Philadelphia law firm of Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, where she specialized in free exercise of religious matters. She also worked at the Office of General Counsel for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, where she drafted briefs in leading U.S. Supreme Court cases concerning abortion, euthanasia, and the Establishment Clause. She also lobbied and testified before congressional committees while working with the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities at the NCCB. Alvaré has also appeared on several TV and radio programs on behalf of the U.S. Catholic bishops, in addition to being a news consultant for ABC. Alvaré chaired the commission investigating clerical abuse in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and was an adviser to Pope Benedict XVI’s Pontifical Council for the Laity. 

Alvaré has authored and published many books and her scholarship treats controversies regarding such matters as marriage, parenting, and the new reproductive technologies. Her recent book, published in 2017, “Putting Children’s Interests First in U.S. Family Law and Policy: With Power Comes Responsibility” traces the government’s declining concern for children,beginning with the Supreme Court’s decision on abortion in the 1973 case of Roe v. Wade, and ending with their decision about legalizing same-sex marriage, in the 2015 case of Obergefell v. Hodges. 

Besides Alvaré, the other featured speakers at the Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference include Dr. Janet Smith, Susie Lloyd, Mother Assumpta Long, and Susan Conroy.

In addition to the speakers program, organizers hope that women will take advantage of the availability of the sacrament of reconciliation during the lunch break, as well as visiting a variety of vendors with products and services of interest to Catholic women. 

The conference will end with a Vigil Mass at 4 p.m., celebrated by Bishop McManus. 

More information about the conference can be found on the website www.worcestercatholicwomensconference.com. Through Oct. 13 ticket prices are $45 for adults and $25 for students, age 16-22. On Oct. 14 ticket prices will increase to $60 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online or by sending a check payable to RCB Diocese of Worcester, to WCWC, 12 Maynard Rd., Berlin, MA 01503. For questions call 508-277-3969.

Theme of conference

“To Know Him, to Love Him, to Serve Him,” is the theme of the upcoming Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference. With this year’s slate of speakers and a variety of exhibitors, the organizers of the conference expect it to be sold out. The conference will take place Nov. 10 in the Tsotsis Family Academic Center at Assumption College. 
The women’s conference is modeled after the annual Worcester Catholic Men’s Conference. After volunteering at a past men’s conference, one of the organizers of the women’s conference, Corinn Dahm, said that she was so moved by the reverence, spirituality, and camaraderie of the men that she decided that the women of the Worcester Diocese, and surrounding areas, should experience an event like this for themselves. 
The highlights of the Catholic Women’s Conference include five national Catholic speakers, time for confession, celebration of the Eucharist, and opportunities to join in fellowship and make new friends. There will be several priests available to hear confessions, and  Bishop McManus will conclude the event with the celebration of the Mass in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at 4 p.m. The pilgrim image of Our Lady of America will also be present at the conference. Our Lady of Fatima statue will grace the conference as well. 
The conference begins with registration at 7:30 a.m., followed by the rosary and a music program. Confessions will be available during the lunch break at noon. A hot lunch is included in the ticket price.
Featured speakers begin at 9 a.m. and continue throughout the day. Speakers include: 
Helen M. Alvaré, professor of law at George Mason University. She has drafted briefs in U.S. Supreme Court cases and chaired the commission investigating clerical abuse in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The title of her talk is, “Women and the Crisis: For the Church and the Next Generation.” 
Susie Lloyd, a homeschooling mother and author of the book “Please Don’t Drink the Holy Water,” will be presenting her talk, “Be Not Afraid of the Puddle in the High Chair.” 
Mother Mary Assumpta Long, prioress general of Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, will speak to the women about the Blessed Mother in her speech, “What Would Mary Say?” 
Dr. Janet Smith author of “Humanae Vitae: A Generation Later,” who is very busy this year during the 50th anniversary of “Humanae Vitae,” will discuss, “The Sexual Mess that We Are In and How We Got Here.” Dr. Smith is frequently featured and quoted on EWTN and is well-known for her talk “Contraception: Why Not.”
Susan Conroy, an evangelist who worked closely with Mother Teresa, will be wrapping up the speakers program with her talk, “Learning from the Saints how to Love and Serve God!”
More information about the conference can be found on the website  www.worcestercatholicwomensconference.com . Through Oct. 13 ticket prices are $45 for adults and $25 for students, age 16-22. On Oct. 14, ticket prices increase to $60 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online or by sending a check payable to RCB Diocese of Worcester, to WCWC, 12 Maynard Rd., Berlin, MA 01503. For questions call 508-277-3969.