2025 Women of Christ Conference

All women are invited to celebrate the beauty of their Catholic faith at the annual Women of Christ Conference on Saturday, November 15, at the Brookfield Conference Center at 325 S. Moorland Road across from Brookfield Square.

The theme of this year’s conference is: Anchored in Hope. Together, we will ponder the ways in which we anchor ourselves in Christ, especially in the Eucharist and tether of the rosary.

Come for a day of joy and camaraderie and be renewed and fortified in your faith!    Take encouragement from dynamic speakers - Fr. Chris Alar, Anne Auger, Msgr. James Shea, Julianne Stanz, Mother Amata Veritas OP and Dr. Ashley Pavlic as emcee. Take part in confession and Adoration and shop at the vendor market for perfect Christmas gifts. The day will conclude with a Vigil Mass celebrated by Archbishop Jeffrey Grob. To register, contact your parish liaison or go to www.womenofchrist.net.  

Prayer for St. John’s Seminary Reconstruction in India; Fr. Mathew Chennekudy

"Almighty and everlasting God, You are the source of all things and by Your grace all endeavours succeed. We ask You to bless our plans for the seminary reconstruction.  As we begin the plans for the  reconstruction of St. John’s Mission seminary to form future servants for Your mission, grant us Your grace and guidance. Bless this project with vision, resources, peace, and success. May all who are trained here grow in Your love and truth, and become holy ministers to serve the world.

Bless all our benefactors and well wishers whose prayerful sacrifice  and generous support enable us to build this seminary for your glory. Shield this project from all harm, protect the workers, architects and engineers from danger, and let no evil spirit interfere with this sacred work. Grant that the materials and labour used in this construction are pleasing to You. Guide the hands and minds of those who are designing and building this place. May their efforts be guided by wisdom and prudence. Help them to work with integrity, diligence, and a spirit of service.  We pray that this seminary will be a house of prayer and study, where future Divine Word Missionaries will be formed for your service. Let the ground where this building stands be consecrated, so that it may be a holy place for encounter with Your truth and your Son, Jesus Christ. May the people who labour here and those who will eventually live and learn within these walls experience Your grace and peace. May this work be accomplished according to Your will.

 We ask this through the intercession of St. Arnold Janssen, the founder of Divine Word Mission and St. Joseph Freinademetz, and all the saints, who are models of faithful service. Through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever. Amen.”

Each year, roughly 6.6 million people lose a friend or family member to suicide. Our parishes have not always done their best - and sometimes have failed - in supporting people with mental illness and families after a suicide death, oftentimes because we don't know what to do or say.

Pope Francis says that the Church is at its best as a “field hospital for wounded souls.”  This includes people suffering from mental illness and their families.  Millions of people flock to the pews each day, frantic for help with their depression or anxiety, confusion and loneliness, grief and loss.  We need to find ways to make them feel seen and heard and warmed by the fires of our love and acceptance.

Join us for this special opportunity with Pulitzer Prize winning Catholic Author, Meg Kissinger, as she shares her own experiences of the deaths of her siblings, her journey through grief, and her call to parishes to be field hospitals of hope. This is a live, interactive training offered via Zoom. The session will last about an hour, with time for questions and answers. After you register, you will receive a Zoom link, and following the session, you will receive any handouts or resources.

SUICIDE AND GRIEF: BE READY TO ACT WITH LOVE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH AT 10 am OR

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH AT 10 am 

The sessions are identical, and free, please register for one.

Click this Suicide and Grief 2025