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A renewed fire to make their unique contribution
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June 24, 2024The GIVEN Institute’s GIVEN Forum 2024 was a holistically Catholic and authentically feminine response to Pope Saint John Paul II’s call for a “new feminism” in this post-modern age. Approximately 300 women gathered at the Catholic University of America for a five-day Catholic women’s leadership conference in our nation’s capital from June 7 to 12, 2024. Among them were Siobhan O’Connor and Jessica Rohr, both employees of the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
The Forum was loaded with content designed to form and equip a generation of female Catholic leaders who want to respond to the gifts given to them by making the unique contribution that only they can provide. There were keynotes by Sr. Mary Grace Langrell, SV and Sr. Miriam Heidland, SOLT, rapid-fire panels, small groups, prayer sessions, spiritual direction, Mass, Confession and Adoration. The sessions evolved around topics like “Communication & Avoiding Burnout,” “Realize the Gift You’ve Been Given,” and “Discerning Your Charisms,” encouraging the participants to find their specific mission and contribution to the Church and society.
Mentors and mentees mingled with speakers, staff, and volunteers. The Forum transitions into the Art of Accompaniment Program, which offers twelve months of mentorship as attendees work to launch the Action Plan they feel called to implement in the Church or secular workplace. This post-Forum program ensures that the impact of the Forum extends far beyond the event itself, providing ongoing support and guidance to the participants. Forum alumni then become part of the growing GIVEN Network.
Jessica Rohr attended the Forum as a mentee and was encouraged to apply by Siobhan O’Connor, who is serving as a GIVEN mentor. Reflecting on the talks and the excellent care GIVEN staff took to create an environment of faith and femininity, Rohr observed, “They treated us in a way that was deeply affirming of our Catholic womanhood.”
O’Connor shared, “It was an incredibly inspiring week. The opportunity to meet with young women thirsty for formation in their faith and ready to do great things for the Church in their parish or diocese was amazing.”
The GIVEN makes its Forums accessible through low rates and donor-backed scholarships. Masses were held in the CUA Heritage Hall, the St. John Paul II Shrine, and the Crypt of the National Shrine.
The Forum closed with the presentation of the inaugural Fiat Award to a noteworthy Catholic leader, Mary Ann Glendon, and a brunch and commissioning the following morning. Attendees departed the Forum with a renewed fire to make gifts of themselves to the Church and their communities.
