November 5, 2024 at 10:06 a.m.
‘AN AWESOME DAY’
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
I had the privilege of attending the third annual Unleashing Love Diocesan Women’s Conference on Saturday, Oct. 19. The day began with Mass and was followed by three excellent presenters, who each in their own way wove the theme of “Unleashing Love” into their presentations. The day concluded with adoration. Thus, the day was bookended with Jesus fully present in the Eucharist and in the Blessed Sacrament.
As I reflect back on the day and the theme of “Unleashing Love,” the idea and truth of our “Life in Christ” became the overarching message of the day. We all experience the fullness of life through knowing Jesus, and being fully known and loved by Him. It may be easy for us to acknowledge that we are fully known by God. After all, He made us. We are also fully loved by Him. He created us with a plan and a purpose. We are His beloved children, or as Laura Phelps put it — “His favorite daughter” (child). He chose us first. He loved us first. God our Father always makes the first step toward us. How do we respond? How do we love Him in return? How do we come to know Him more fully?
This is where the beauty of the day was found. Each speaker led the participants upon a path that invited us, each in our own way, to draw closer to knowing God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There are various ways in which we can come to know Him more fully, each of which was on full display throughout the day — through fully engaging our heart and mind in the great prayer of the Mass, through being fully present to the messages shared by each of the presenters, and through our prayer and worship of our Lord in the gift of adoration. For me, the message that I needed to hear most, in fact the “nudge” that I needed to receive most was the need for daily Mass. This was a message that was shared by our presenters, and one that I took to heart. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to encounter Jesus daily in the Eucharist and the fullness of the Mass. We receive the fullness of life in the “Life in Christ” when we receive Him into ourselves in the Eucharist. May we not take this incredible gift and blessing for granted.
Rebecca Cronin
St. Joseph’s in Greenfield Center
***
This is the first one I attended and I was very impressed with the speakers and the format. It was a great experience as we were welcomed with “open arms” while the staff and volunteers were there for us throughout the day. (Women tend to take care of the food at most parish functions and it was a pleasure to be “waited on” by the men, who provided “service with a smile” and allowed us to enjoy all aspects of the conference.).
Evelyn Bedard
St. Clement’s Parish in Saratoga Springs
***
The recent Unleashing Love Diocesan Women’s Conference was a beautiful day of fellowship, inspiration, contemplation and tranquility. It was truly a blessing to have shared this day with others. Many thanks to all who made it possible.
Elizabeth Callaghan
St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in the Village of Waterford
***
My friend Kristy and I drove 2-1/2 hours to get to the conference. We were greeted as soon as we got there and one of the gentlemen directed us to the church as Mass had started. The Mass was beautiful and it was great to see so many women, some with their babies and some with their animals. Father Roger Landry’s talk was amazing and thought provoking. Breaks were fun with meeting new people; Bishop Ed’s talk was very interesting. Lunch was wonderful sitting with new people and hearing what was going on in their parish community. Laura Phelps was outstanding and had us riveted to our seats. Adoration was so calming and the priests who came to give us reconciliation were so appreciated.
Although it was a 2-1/2 hour drive there and back home, it was worth every minute of the day.
Maureen Hunt
St. Paul the Apostle Church in Hancock
***
This was the first conference that I have attended. I liked that there were three different speakers for the presentations. I feel that the pace of the day was very good. I enjoyed speaking with the different vendors and other participants in the conference.
Lisa Croteau
St. Edward the Confessor in Clifton Park
***
What an awesome event as women and families gathered to see how God is moving by His Holy Spirit amongst the churches. It is encouraging and exciting to see this movement of His Spirit as a confirmation to the nearness of His return.
The church is becoming energized and awakened by His presence, the power and fire of His Baptism, as He promises when committing our lives to Jesus.
Matthew 3:11 says, “I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama — compared to him I’m a mere stagehand — will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out.”
Lisa Mosca
Comments:
You must login to comment.