Running the kids to school, running to work, running to a meeting, running to church, running, runni

If you are a woman finding yourself running in all directions for family, work, church or friends, it is time to stop running and make plans to attend the 11th Annual Catholic Women’s Conference “Come to Me” sponsored by the Pilgrim Center of Hope, Aa Catholic evangelization ministry serving the archdiocese of San Antonio and South Texas.

The conference will be held Sept. 21-22 at the Norris Conference Center in San Antonio.

“We invite all women to come and spend time with Jesus and be nurtured in their faith; where they can learn about the dignity of women and the wonderful gifts we possess as women. This conference can help women connect with other women looking for the same spiritual renewal and gain tools and resources to deal with the hectic lives they lead,” Nan Balfour, Conference Coordinator said.

Those attending the conference will find opportunity for prayer and reflection, the sacrament of reconciliation and a very special Eucharistic healing service. Bishop Oscar Cantu, STD, Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, will celebrate Mass on Saturday morning. Throughout the two day conference, women will have an opportunity to hear different speakers who will address the challenges a Catholic woman faces in her daily life and inspirational stores of faith and friendship.

“Many women tell me that it is hard to be a woman of faith in a secular world and our prayer is that this conference will provide women with a renewed strength to go out and renew society and be examples of Jesus to others. This can be done by having a deeper and stronger understanding of our dignity as a woman,” said Mary Jane Fox, co-director for the Pilgrim Center of Hope and founder of the Catholic Women’s Conference.

Speaking at this year’s conference are Sonja Corbitt, Marge Fenelon, Mother Adela Galindo, Marie Miller and Mary Jane Fox.

“We are very excited about this year’s speakers and we are especially happy to have Mother Galindo back with us again this year. Last year she led a moving and spiritual Eucharistic healing service. Mother Galindo will also speak on Prayer: the Life of the Soul,” Balfour said.

Each speaker is known in the Catholic community for their books and talks on the faith. Corbitt will be sharing her insight on how to deepen one’s relationship with God in her talk “When God Breathes.” Fenelon will encourage women to look to our Mother Mary as a role model in her talk “Spirituality of Womanhood: Deepening Our Spiritual Life with Mary as Model.”

Sharing her musical gifts, Miller will sing and speak on the role women have as daughters of God during her talk “Discovering the True Beauty of Woman.” Fox, who has led many pilgrimages to the Holy Land with her husband, Deacon Tom Fox, will provide spiritual refreshment in her talk “Jesus –Our Hope.”

Women of all ages and from all walks of life are encouraged to attend this year’s conference. “We have five incredible speakers on a variety of topics related to living out our vocation as women. I hope that the women who attend will come open to hearing whatever God wants them to hear that day. So invite your mothers, sisters, grandmothers, daughters, aunts, cousins, friends – every woman you know and come spend a weekend with other women who love Christ,” steering committee member Julie Reyna said.

For additional information or to register, visit http://pilgrimcenterofhope.org or contact the Pilgrim Center of Hope at (210) 521-3377.