Women's conference is back for 2021

By Christina Galeone
CFP Correspondent

The bravery, determination and unwavering faith of St. Joan of Arc have inspired many people since the teenage heroine was burned at the stake in 1431. Among those who have found inspiration in the saint’s amazing fortitude are the organizers of this year’s Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference. The theme of the 2021 conference is “Joan Up with the Armor of God.”
“The only thing she feared was not being in a state of grace upon her death; she also encouraged or, rather, demanded her troops be in a state of grace before battle,” Corinn Dahm, the lead organizer of this year’s conference, said of the saint. “We hope to empower women to armor up with all the graces bestowed upon us through Holy Mother Church and face life fearlessly, just as St. Joan did. Faith over fear.” 
The conference will be held Saturday, Sept. 11, at St. Joseph School in Webster. The all-day event will include talks by nationally renowned Catholic speakers. Additionally, there will be opportunities for attendees to pray the rosary, go to confession, browse offerings from Catholic vendors and organizations, and end the day by attending a Mass celebrated by Bishop McManus.
The conference speakers are people who boldly live their faith.
Jesse Romero is a bilingual lay preacher, author and radio host who speaks on topics from apologetics to spiritual warfare, and he’s won the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Award.
Sister Deirdre Byrne, POSC, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and surgeon, is the Superior of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts community in Washington, D.C. who has served on many medical missions to Haiti and Iraq.
Father David Gunter, MIC, joined the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception 10 years after serving as a parish priest and enthusiastically fulfills his calling to give parish missions about Our Lady of Fatima and the triumph of the Immaculate Heart throughout the country.
Finally, Mary Rice Hasson, the director of the Catholic Women’s Forum, is an expert, writer and speaker on topics including education, sexual morality and gender ideology, who – along with her husband – received the 2015 St. John Paul II Award for the New Evangelization.   
Although Mrs. Dahm said that the event won’t be available virtually due to budget constraints, people who would like to attend but can’t or aren’t ready to attend in-person conferences may purchase videos of the conference talks once they’re available. She believes that those who can attend will enjoy the new venue.
“We are excited to host this year’s conference at St. Joseph in Webster,” she said. “The facilities will not disappoint those who attended the conference at Assumption. In fact, there is less walking between the talks, exhibits and lunches. We are limiting seating due to COVID concerns, but this facility will allow us to grow in the future to accommodate more attendees.”
In addition to being excited about sharing the day with “sisters in Christ, passionate Catholic speakers and interesting exhibitors, after a long hiatus,” Mrs. Dahm said that she’s especially looking forward to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass “being celebrated in the basilica with its choir loft and stunningly gorgeous interior.” And she said that she’s confident that the attendees will “leave armored with the weapons to face the uncertainties of life with hope and a contagious love of our faith.” 
“Our speakers are inspirational, and each will help us battle the spiritual attacks we face and be assured of God’s loving presence,” she shared. “Peace on Earth begins with each of us growing in our faith and living it to its fullest.”

– To register or learn more about the conference, please visit wcwconference.com.