Oklahoma Catholic Women’s Conference draws hundreds, builds faith

More than 800 women braved icy conditions Feb. 26 to gather at the 2022 Oklahoma Catholic Women’s Conference in Norman. It was the 15th year for the annual event.

“Welcome, Oklahoma Women!” said Meg Beckman, conference committee chair, before introducing Father Alex Kroll, chaplain for the conference.

Father Kroll walked on stage to loud cheers. He gave the opening blessing, asking the Holy Spirit to “make saints of these women gathered today.”

New at the women’s conference this year was a “Religious Order Corner” initiative, funded by the Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma. The “corner” showcased 11 religious orders who were available for single women to discern if they might be called to religious life. 

From the fresh cut flowers adorning the food tables to volunteers readily handing out cold water to moms caring for their babies, the hospitality of the volunteers ran through every detail of the conference. 

The conference is building on a three-year theme centered on the words “Be done.” This year, women were encouraged to meditate on the words “let it be done.” The day presented a mixture of quiet moments, laughter and tears. 

“I think it’s very beautiful to be here and be with other Catholic women and be able to connect,” said Isabel, a teenager from Saint Mary Catholic Church in Guthrie who attended the conference with her sisters, mom and grandma. 

The conference worship team that included Noelle Garcia, Silvia Vega, David McHugh, Sophie Starns and Ana Maria Vandervort, led praise and worship for the conference. 

Leah Darrow spoke first, opening the morning session with her talk, “She Who Believes.” Darrow recounted the decisions she made during her young adult years. She said her life had become one bad decision after another, eventually landing a spot on the reality TV show, America’s Next Top Model. The Catholic speaker, author and entrepreneur, said she was on a photoshoot set when she heard in her heart the words, “I made you for more.” Darrow’s decision to walk off the set that day led to a phone call to her dad who drove 2,000 miles to bring her home.

“We all have to start somewhere (with our spiritual walk),” Darrow said, encouraging women to “live intentionally.” Intentional living is about paying attention to the mental, spiritual and routine areas of one’s mind. “Choose heaven every day,” she advised, to which the crowd stood for applause. 

Mary Blackstone, who attended with her 8-month-old son, said she attended the conference virtually last year with a small group from Saint Monica Catholic Church in Edmond.

“I feel like it’s harder to find time to invest in your prayer life if you have kids,” she said. “So, I try to do what I can.”

Sister Marie Veritas co-host of the popular Sisters of Life podcast “Let Love,” was the second speaker. She looked out over the audience, consoling the attentive women, “You are; Therefore, you are loved,” she reminded them. 

Sister Veritas reiterated Darrow’s plea to the group, prayer is essential. 

“The voice in our heads tells us we’re not worthy. Little girl, I say to you, arise. Do not be afraid of ourselves.” 

Sister Veritas touched on three main points: rest, leisure and delight. The devil hates when we truly rest, she said, because true rest is an act of faith. In a world where people are measured by what they can do. Women especially have demands put on them. They carry the weight of the world she told the attendees.

“The world lies to us about who we are,” she said. 

Eleven-year-old Maddie de Keratry attended with her mom, Colleen. They are parishioners at Saint Eugene Catholic Church in Oklahoma City. It was Maddie’s first year to attend the conference in person.

“I like when people talk about what happened to them. I think it was awesome that Leah got the courage to call her dad,” she said.

Maria Nunez and her friend, Zulema Garrity, stood next to the many vendors available to the participants. The two have been friends for decades and said the conference was an emotional experience for them. 

“Every one of the conferences we’ve been to has been good, but this one has been very emotional because of what’s been going on with the pandemic, especially the mental and spiritual issues,” Nunez said. 

“We as women go through a lot and needed this to be face-to-face with other women,” Garrity said.

Attendees could choose one of three afternoon breakout sessions, including Kimberly Hahn’s “Making a Home for the Word,” where she explored family faith life and loving those who have left it. Sister Marie Veritas’s “Letting God Love You,” about discerning a vocation, and Father Alex Kroll’s “Living Your Little Way” about Saint Therese of Lisieux. 

After lunch, Kimberly Hahn presented “Chosen and Cherished,” highlighting numerous Bible verses that declare women as beloved by the Lord.

“God made you,” she said. “A spouse or children will affirm our worth, but they do not determine it. You are chosen and cherished.”

Hahn spoke in detail about the importance of raising a family, not only by example, but occasionally checking in with children to make sure they understand what they are being taught. 

“When someone says, ‘I know you’re busy at home, but what are you doing for the church?’ respond that it is a genuine apostolate to raise your family, to pour yourself into your family. We don’t have to go home and be a fire hydrant, blasting everyone with the spiritual life. We need to ask the Lord, what do you want us to do? Start in these little ways.” 

A relic of conference patron, Saint Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, was displayed in an adoration chapel. Eucharistic adoration was available as well as confession, a rosary, exposition and benediction. Bishop Konderla celebrated the closing Mass. 

This year’s conference committee was comprised of Beckman, chairwoman; Johanna Sanchez, treasurer; Stephanie Stovall, formation chairwoman; Laura Murray, hospitality chairwoman; Natalie Mollman, promotion chairwoman; and Father Kroll, chaplain. Several other volunteers aided the core team.

Next year’s conference is scheduled for March 4. Visit okcatholicwomen.com for more information. 

Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.


Photo: The Oklahoma Catholic Women’s Conference was held Feb. 26 in Norman. Speakers were Kimberly Hahn, Leah Darrow and Sr. Marie Veritas. Photos Chris Porter/Sooner Catholic.