November 17, 2025

Diocesan conference reminds women they are ‘beloved’

REGIONAL
By Kathleen Harrington

CHICOPEE – More than 300 women gathered for the Springfield Diocesan Catholic Women’s Conference Saturday, Nov. 15, at Bellamy Middle School in Chicopee. As one of the events celebrating the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, it was the first time in eight years women gathered for a day of faith renewal. The day included speakers, Eucharistic adoration, confession, Mass and an exhibition of vendors and Catholic ministries.

Among the speakers, a Ludlow native, Sister Maris Stella, SV, a member of the Sisters of Life religious order. She is also a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Sister Stella spoke of Jesus’ Divine Mercy. She said he wants to flood our souls with mercy so all can live in the fullness of life.

“When our eyes fixed on him, we live in that mercy and hope,” she said.

Sister Stella explained that people can persevere knowing that they wait in hope for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. She also encouraged the women by saying, “the world is depending on your ‘yes’,” to following Christ.

The Office of Missionary Discipleship brought both the men’s and women’s conferences back this year.

“So much of Jesus’ ministry was focused on healing. At its root, evangelization is a healing ministry. I hope that Saturday’s conference was an opportunity for many to experience first hand the healing power of the Lord in their lives and to come away feeling refreshed and ready to begin again,” said Joe Austin, director of the Office of Missionary Discipleship, who worked for months with a committee of mostly women to organize the conference.

“I’m very grateful for the many ways in which my wife, Samantha, was instrumental towards the success of this conference,” he added. The Office of Missionary Discipleship also runs youth, young adult and family ministry for the Diocese of Springfield.

Catholic speaker and author, Mary Lenaberg gave two talks, using both personal stories and humor to connect to the audience. Lenaberg wrote “Be Brave in the Scared,” and “Be Bold in the Broken.”

“But to choose love, you need to choose hope. To choose hope, you choose Christ. Love remains and his name is Jesus,” Lenaberg told the women gathered. She also shared openly about the loss of her daughter in 2014, who was disabled.

With his focus on St. Mary Magdalene, Dominican Father James Brent talked about how women’s lives are damaged by negative self-regard. He said toxic relationships at home, rejection, abandonment, and external messaging about how a woman should look, all damage a woman’s self-regard. Father Brent said women should look to the life of Mary Magdalene. Jesus drove out seven demons from her body and soul and in showing her mercy, gave her her life back.

“She was at the foot of the cross when he died. She got to see Jesus after his resurrection,” he explained. “I have come to believe that St. Mary Magdalene is the patron saint of women with low self-regard.”

Reaction to the speakers was immediate. For Gina, a parishioner at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Agawam, this was her first experience at a diocesan women’s conference. “I think the speakers have been amazing. This was my first experience with adoration,” she said.

This is the third or fourth conference for Diane and her sister, both parishioners at St. Patrick Parish in South Hadley. “This one is phenomenal. The speakers have awesome. It’s very uplifting,” they said.

The Knights of Columbus provided lunch for the day. Psalm 33 Music Ministry, based out of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westfield, led the music during both the eucharistic procession and Mass, which was celebrated by Bishop William D. Byrne.

“It’s not a good afternoon, but a great afternoon,” the bishop said in his homily. He encouraged the women to take the graces they received from the conference out into the world.

“Tell the Good News. Be the eyes of the Lord. Be the eyes of the women who were the first to witness the resurrection,” he said.

A video version of this story will be on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which temporarily airs Sunday mornings at 6:30 a.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS.