About 340 women gathered on Oct. 15 at St. Albert the Great Parish in North Royalton for the fourth annual Cleveland Catholic Women’s Conference.
Attendees heard a series of speakers address issues relating to the theme, “God Alone Suffices,” based on the words of St. Teresa of Avila, participated in Mass celebrated by Father Andrew Hoover, had an opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation and for adoration.
Speakers included Lisa Lickona, a theology professor, Sister Elizabeth Beaussink, TOR who serves at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Lindsay Fullerman, founder of Fit from Faith and health and wellness adviser for Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries, and Bishop Edward Malesic.
Fullerman reminded the women that “The Lord wants to know how you’re doing. He cares about you and cares about your desires,” as she invited them to reflect on those thoughts. “We are never really separated from Christ,” she said.
“There is a genuine desire for God here today, a desire to grow in him,” Fullerman said. She also told the group that Christ can only pursue us when we have made ourselves present to him through daily prayer.
Fullerman asked the women to reflect on what God is saying to us and what he wants from us, including the need to make time each day to connect with our hearts. She also questioned how we can make God real in our lives and asked the attendees what moved their hearts that day, noting that when God gets into their hearts they can feel his love and will understand that “he alone suffices.”
Jen Ricard, conference coordinator, introduced the final speaker, Bishop Malesic, who shared some thoughts with the group before participating in a question and answer session with Ricard.
“Let’s hear the theme of this conference in its context. Hear the words of St. Teresa of Avila again,” he said, “Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.”
The bishop asked if that isn’t what Jesus says repeatedly when he tells us, “Be not afraid.” It also was a central theme for Pope John Paul II, he said, noting he reminded us that God provides all we need. He shared the story of seeing the cassock St. John Paul II was wearing when he was shot in May 1981 while he was on a recent pilgrimage in Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. “He trusted that God would provide for him. God did,” the bishop said.
He also discussed the Bible story of Elijah and the poor widow in which the Lord told Elijah to go on a journey, assuring him he would have sustenance. After a time, he told him to move on and a widow would feed him, but the woman said she had only a handful of flour and a little oil.
Elijah told her not to be afraid, but to make a cake and bring it to him, saying she could prepare something for herself and her son afterward. The woman did as he said, and had enough flour and oil to feed her household for a long time. She trusted in the Lord and he provided.
“God takes the little we have to offer and makes it suffice. God alone suffices,” the bishop said.
As a third example, he mentioned the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, reminding the group of the Bible story in which five barley loaves and two fish were more than enough to feed thousands of hungry people – with plenty left over.
“Isn’t the Mass a continuation, in a way, of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish, now the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus himself?” he asked.
“Don’t be afraid to give what you have. Give your weakness, give your insecurities, give your poverty to Jesus. Let him make it suffice for you. God is all we need to have all we need.”
God provides what we need – not always what we want – but always what we need, the bishop said. “Give Jesus something to work with. Give him your heart, your talents, your faith, your love, your life. Be not afraid.”
In the question and answer session, Bishop Malesic shared his vocation story and told the women not to worry about having doubts. “Worry about not finding the answer to those questions.”
When asked what he does if he has a free day, the bishop said he enjoys nature, music, the arts, reading a good book and his aquarium.
Another questioner said there was much talk about being broken and she wondered if she could be strong. He said she should feel strong and capable, but noted we are all weak because sin separates us from God. “Our weakness is that we’re human. We’re not strong enough to go to God, but he can come to us.”
When asked what the diocese does to reach out to women, including single women, the bishop posed a question.
“Do you realize you’re the diocese?” he asked, mentioning young adult groups, Theology on Tap, pods and other programs/ministries. “The Office of Evangelization brings young people together, which is a healthy thing. But we could do more.”
A questioner wanted to know what the priests discussed during their recent convocation. The bishop said there were a number of excellent speakers. The event also was an opportunity – his first because of the pandemic – to gather with most priests of the diocese as a group for fellowship and to work on their ministry. “The pandemic was hard on priests; we’re meant to be with people. Priests are the father of their parish. I thanked them for answering their vocation call and tried to build them up,” he added.
When asked about his favorite prayer and saint the bishop responded: “Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.” His favorite saints include St. Thomas More – “I’m a canon lawyer” – and St. Therese of Lisieux because “she was kind, true to the faith and saved souls.”
He encouraged the group to “show people who we are” by inviting them to adoration and other opportunities to learn about and experience the faith. “I can’t evangelize the world without you,” he added.
Ricard reminded the women that the next conference will take place in October 2023 and they should watch for details.