We are one in the spirit, no matter where we’re gathered.
With that thought in mind, Bishop Edward Malesic opened the second annual Cleveland Catholic Women’s Conference on Oct. 17 with a livestreamed Mass from St. Basil the Great Church in Brecksville.
A handful of conference committee members attended the liturgy, which was concelebrated by Father Ryan Mann, St. Basil’s administrator, while others joined the livestream.
“Simply Holy: Living God’s Will in All Things,” this year’s conference theme, was inspired by the writings of St. Therese of Lisieux.
Jen Ricard, who helped coordinate the event, said things were much different than anticipated by the committee after the coronavirus pandemic threw a wrench into the gears.
At last year’s inaugural conference, more than 400 women filled the parish hall at St. Basil’s and another 200 were on the waiting list, so the committee secured a larger venue for this year.
Once it became clear they could not safety host a large, in-person event like the women’s conference, Ricard said the committee shifted gears to a livestreamed event and rebooked the new venue for 2021. More than 350 women registered for the daylong conference.
In addition to the bishop’s remarks during Mass, conference participants heard from Debbie Georgianni, a radio host, writer, inspirational speaker and life coach; Mother Gabriella, a stavrophore nun of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery in Burton; Brooke Taylor, host of the podcast “Good Things Radio” and Taylor Tripodi, a local musician, singer, songwriter and worship leader.
Between speakers, Ricard and Jenn Martin served as co-hosts from a set created in the gathering space at St. Basil’s. Tripodi and Father Mike Stalla, pastor of SS. Cosmas and Damian Parish in Twinsburg, led Adoration from St. Basil’s chapel.
“Instead of being gathered together, we’re scattered across Ohio,” Bishop Malesic said. He noted that we’re also divided by other issues including racism, politics and climate control. “The devil always seems to divide us. But you know who unites us: Jesus,” he added.
“We are united wherever we are – sitting in front of our laptops or iPads – we are all here today. We don’t allow the virus and other things to divide us. We put our faith into action,” the bishop said, noting that we will emerge stronger from this crisis. “I look forward with hope and I can’t wait until we all can gather together,” he said. The bishop also quipped that people will have to reintroduce themselves once it’s no longer necessary to wear face masks. “I only know you by your eyes,” he said.
“I have a message of hope and that’s what I hope you share with your families. If you walk with the Lord, you will go in the right direction. There will be life after 2020.”
He reflected on the women who helped shape his life – including his late mother and sister – who did many things for him with great love, including carrying him, giving birth to him, feeding him, teaching him to love, praying for him and more. Women are a rock of hope in our communities, he said.
“Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things,” he said, quoting Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
“One woman of great hope and love – the Blessed Mother -- stands with her son to watch over us and inspire us to have faith in her son. She tells us to trust in her,” the bishop added.
He also spoke about angels, pointing out that during the pandemic, the church pews may look empty, but they are filled with angels. He said angels watch over us.
“If the devil wants to scatter us, Jesus wants to gather us,” and to that doubt, we bring our faith. Bishop Malesic said we are living in a time of confusion, but we bring God’s truth.
“We can tear ourselves down because we’re imperfect,” but he said through our faith, God forgives us with the power of his love.
The vocations of marriage, single life or religious life will attract different people but we are all called to be love – for Jesus and for each other. “Our highest calling is to be saints,” the bishop said.
He encouraged all women – especially young women – to listen to Jesus’ voice. “He knows why you’re here and will give meaning to your lives. Listen; he will give you courage.”
In her remarks on “Simplicity,” Georgianni shared her story of surviving and thriving after a horrible divorce. “I lost everything but I told God I would not lose him,” she said.
Georgianni said she leaned on her guardian angel, noting each of us has one. “They’re not recycled, they’re unique to you.”
She said by leaning on her angel, she learned to build trust in God and decided to “freefall into God’s arms.” Allowing herself to detach from material things freed up space in her life and let her embrace God’s plan for her.
“God is waiting, willing and wants to let you see his magnificent world,” she said. As a result of her “freefall,” she got an unexpected opportunity to be involved with radio. Her radio career grew and she now co-hosts a weekday radio show, “Take 2,” on EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network.
By “letting go and letting God,” Georgianni said – like St. Therese of Lisieux -- you can go through your journey without all the baggage. “I’m living proof,” she added.
Mother Gabriella focused on “Holiness,” sharing insights from St. Therese. “We do God’s will by doing what he made us to do. Holiness is not something I do, but what God does in me.” She said without Jesus, we can do nothing.
“The Father loves me – the real me – the person he created me to be,” she added.
Mother Gabriella said she spent much of her life wanting to be something else. But if she didn’t accept the reality of who she was, God couldn’t work in that place – it would become sterile, barren and lifeless – like a spiritual contraceptive.
“I built a false floor in my heart and was uncomfortable in the emptiness,” she said. Confession was the prescription she needed. Our greatest weakness or shame is the place of our greatest receptivity of Jesus. After we learn to love and accept others – through prayer – we will find the Lord.
Mother Gabriella said memorized prayers are not our only access to the Lord. She recalled St. Therese describing prayer as “a surge of the heart.” During a retreat, Mother Gabriella said that by letting her sins wash over her and into the flames of Jesus’ sacred heart, she saw the flames getting higher and hotter as peace began washing over her. “Handing over your sins is what feeds the flames, which fuels Jesus’ divine love for us. He doesn’t want us to be ashamed or to hide our sins. The weaknesses we give back to the Lord fuel his love for us,” she explained.
Conference participants were encouraged to gather together in small groups – if they felt comfortable – to fully experience the day. Many shared photos of themselves or their groups that were shown on the livestream.
Ricard said one of the conference goals was to create a sense of community for women. The event was a bonding opportunity. “It’s an opportunity to be connected and grow in faith and love for Christ,” she said.
“I just want to thank everyone for their support and participation,” she said.
In addition, she asked the participants to save the date for next year’s conference: Oct. 9, 2021, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mayfield.