Annual women’s conference attendance soars

The 2023 Oklahoma Women’s Conference was held on March 4 at the Embassy Suites in Norman. 

The theme for this year’s conference was “Be Blessed.” It is the end of Mary’s prayer, “Ecce, Fiat, Magnificat’… behold, be done, be blessed,” said Leigha Liuzza, local artist who designed the logo for this year’s conference.

“All the themes in the past have been going in the same direction.”

Meg Beckman, conference committee chairwoman, explained what the conference committee hoped the related themes would accomplish.

“This year’s theme is healing and how the Lord and his greatest desire is to set us free to heal us. We all need healing. We all need the Lord. This year’s theme is deeper and more serious than in years past. We will stretch our women a little more out of our comfort zones. At the end of the day, we all want to go to Heaven, and you have to go to places you have not allowed the Lord to go,” Beckman said. 

“This year, we have the highest number in attendance ever. We have over 1,100 women. The excitement, the energy and the people were all looking forward to coming so they could receive from the Lord and fill their hearts so they could continue on the path of holiness,” Beckman said. 

Father Donald Calloway, MIC, was the first speaker of the day. Father Calloway is Vicar Provincial and Vocation Director for the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. He is the author of 15 books, including “Concentration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father.” 

He gave his testimony about the consecration of Saint Joseph. He told the packed audience how he is desperately needed in these times, and he is the ideal role male model for both men and women.

“Everyone is broken. Thank God for his mercy,” Father Calloway said.

He explained the misconceptions about Saint Joseph and urged everyone to get to know him better, from his miracles to his appearance with Mary at Fatima. 

His new book, “Concentration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father,” unfolds the story of Saint Joseph and his legacy as father of the Church. 

Following Father Calloway was Heather Khym, who spoke about the “Inner Room: Abiding and Intimacy with Christ.” She is the cohost of the popular “Abiding Together” podcast. She and her husband, Jake, are the co-founders of Life Restoration Ministries, where she serves as a director of the Celtic Cross Foundation.

“What I hope for today is we reborn into ourselves in what is true, sound and who Jesus is? I think what is happening in the world and our lives until now and in various circumstances, we have experienced some darkness at certain times,” Khym said.

Quoting the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2331: “God is love. We have all heard that. But what does that mean? God is love, and we are made in his image, so we are made in the image of love. That is why our heart burns for it. We want to be loved and to love because this is stamped in our bodies and God’s desire for us from the beginning to be in perfect love with and near him. That is what God intended for us. The only way to bridge the gap between God and us is Jesus so that man may know him,” Kyhm said.

The last speakers before the breakout sessions were Dan and Stephanie Burke. Their topic was “Devil in the Castle: St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare and the Soul’s Progress.” Together, they host EWTN’s “Divine Intimacy Radio.” 

They explained to the audience how the devil is at war with the family structure because it reveals the Trinity, in that it is procreative, unitive and helps people to believe in God.

“Sister Lucia of Fatima said a time will come when the decisive battle between the Kingdom of Christ and Satan will be over marriage and family. And those who will work for the family’s goodwill experience persecution and tribulation. But do not be afraid because Our Lady has already crushed his head,” Dan said.

The conference continued with breakout sessions from Heather Khym about the “Invitation to the Full Life and Living on Purpose,” Stephanie Burke about “Marriage and Spiritual Warfare” and Father Jerome Krug about finding healing with Jesus.

Many opportunities to enhance the attendee’s spirituality were available throughout the conference. A relic from Saint Teresa of Avila provided by the Carmelite Sisters of Saint Therese of the Infant was in the Eucharistic Adoration chapel for women to pray with and a vocation corner with several religious orders sharing information on religious life. 

Multiple priests from the archdiocese offered confessions during lunch to ensure everyone who wanted to receive forgiveness of their sins wouldn’t have to wait long. 

The attendees also browsed the numerous vendors that filled two rooms. The conference concluded with Mass, celebrated by Bishop David A. Konderla of the Diocese of Tulsa. Music for the Mass was provided by Nolan Patrick Reilly and a vocalist.

Next year’s conference is set for March 2, 2024.

Meg Beckman said that conference committee is looking forward to welcoming everyone again next year.

“We want to keep growing it. We don’t want to turn women away. We want every woman who wants to come in to come so they can receive from the Lord and continue their journey. This world is not an easy world to live in, and everyone is fighting so many battles. We want them to know this is a safe space to meet the Lord,” Beckman said.

For more information, go to okcatholicwomen.com.

Jolene Schonchin is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.


Photo: (above) Sr. Barbara Joseph provided information about Sr. BJ’s Pantry at the 2023 Oklahoma Women’s Conference on March 4 at Embassy Suites in Norman. Photos Theresa Bragg/Sooner Catholic.