Nearly 500 women participated in the seventh annual CLE Women Day of Reflection.
Presented by Theology of the Body Cleveland, the daylong event featured speakers, Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, lunch, opportunities for confession, adoration and socialization. Women of all ages took part, with some bringing their young babies along.
The ballroom at the Holiday Inn Independence was packed on Oct. 11 as event organizers greeted attendees and introduced Jackie Angel as the first speaker. Father Ryan Mann, pastor of St. Basil the Great Parish in Brecksville, also addressed the women before Mass.
(See photo gallery above.)
“Hope Does not Disappoint” was the conference theme, a nod to the ongoing Jubilee Year of Hope and reminding us that even in challenging times, our hope in Christ is unfailing.
Women enjoyed meeting and greeting others throughout lunch. The hotel lounge/bar area was reserved for the sacrament of reconciliation. Several priests were scattered around the room at tables where they listened to confessions.
Meanwhile, as lunch concluded, adoration began in the ballroom. Praise and worship music, led by Kira Andrea, set the tone for adoration, which lasted about an hour.
Angel spoke again after adoration, reminding attendees how Satan tries to permeate their lives and to keep them from Jesus. “He hates the name of Jesus,” she said, encouraging them to say his name often. Saying a simple prayer such as, “Come, Holy Spirit,” is a way of combating the devil.
She shared some encounters she had over the years, including one with a cab driver who had left the Church. During their conversation, they shared stories of life experiences and eventually, he asked her to pray with him.
“You never know what will happen when you say ‘Come, Holy Spirit,’” she said, noting others see a difference when you pray. “It doesn’t have to be a fancy prayer,” she reminded the group.
Angel also recalled praying over people suffering from illnesses and other problems, asking God to heal them. “Miracles are still happening today,” she said, asking women in the room to pray in small groups and ask the Lord for something. “Trust that God will take care of it,” she added.
A question and answer session moderated by Jen Ricard, TOB Cleveland director, followed Angel’s talk. Father Mann, Andrea and Angel took questions from the audience for about half an hour before Father Mann closed the conference with prayer and a blessing.
“It was a beautiful day. A wonderful opportunity to focus on my faith with other women,” said one conference participant.
Ricard and a team of volunteers spent nearly a year planning the conference. Committee members included Maria Wancata, TOB Cleveland senior associate, Toni Esposito, Kathy Helal, Sue Lagoni, Sheila McBride, Sarah Mihalik, Charlene Paparizos, Beth Rath, Emily Ricard and Amy Shell.
“We’re beginning to plan next year’s conference,” Ricard said, as the event wrapped up. She said interested women should watch the website for updates on the 2026 event.