‘Your past does not define you’: Maryland Catholic Women’s Conference centers on discovering holiness

SEVERNA PARK – The saints teach a vital lesson – “that in every circumstance, Jesus is there with us, ready to transform and illuminate our lives with his glory,” Meg Hunter-Kilmer said in a Nov. 11 keynote address at the 2023 Maryland Catholic Women’s Conference.

Afiya Valente, left, and Teresa Pluta attend the Maryland Catholic Women’s Conference with their new babies, two-month old Tadeo and four-month old Isabel, at St. John the Evangelist Church in Severna Park. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Drawing inspiration from the varied journeys of women saints, Hunter-Kilmer urged Catholic women to embrace their uniqueness, despite their varied struggles – be it divorce, motherhood or unique physical appearances – to become living embodiments of holiness.

Delving into the challenges faced by Catholic women today, Hunter-Kilmer reflected on the difficulty of defining oneself by wounds and failures rather than God’s love.

“You can do all things and be a servant of God,” she said. “Your past does not define you.”

This year’s conference, held at St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park, drew more than 600 participants from Maryland and other neighboring regions. Looking to the example of the saints, the theme of the gathering was “Holy Women, Holy Lives.”

Hunter-Kilmer, one of several speakers, is a globetrotting missionary with two theology degrees from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. She contributes as a fellow of the Sullivan Family Saints initiative in the McGrath Institute for Church Life and is the author of three books.

As the doors of St. John swung open at the conference’s opening, Father Erik Arnold, pastor of St. John the Evangelist, offered a blessing. A panel discussion followed the keynote address, delving into the contemporary meaning of being a holy woman.

Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss..R, presents the inaugural Maryland Catholic Woman of the Year award to Emily Strab from the Archdiocese of Washington, at the Maryland Catholic Women’s Conference. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Attendees had the opportunity to engage in break-out sessions and small-group discussions.

“Women are looking to connect with other like-minded women in a joyful atmosphere and faith,” said Ana Farias, event co-chairwoman and a parishioner of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore.

This year marked a historic moment as the conference bestowed its first-ever Maryland Catholic Woman of the Year award. The inaugural recipient of the honor was Emily Strab, wife of a U.S. Navy officer and a mother of four who serves as a City of Hyattsville council member and a music educator at St. Jerome Institute in Washington, D.C.

“It’s important that we recognize that everything we’re doing is through the grace of God, and that we’re doing it imperfectly,” she said. “We are all called in different ways to do the work of Christ.”

Amidst the shared stories and wisdom, participants shared their gratitude. Marie Jordan, a parishioner of St. Philip Neri in Linthicum who attended the conference for spiritual nourishment, expressed her hope for the conference to continue in the future.

Sister Maria Clara, a Sister Poor of Jesus Christ, assists an Hispanic attendee during the Maryland Catholic Women’s Conference. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

“I hope this conference continues forever and that more and more women come to it because it’s very uplifting and encouraging,” she said. “It gives you hope.”

Natalie Peron, who journeyed from New York, marveled at the connections made during the conference.

“It’s been wonderful to meet other women here and just be able to be with women in this sort of setting,” she said.

The sold-out event marked a milestone that embraced diversity by introducing a Spanish track of talks and providing childcare for participants, making the event more inclusive and accessible.

The day culminated in Mass celebrated by Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., urban vicar.

Kevin J. Parks contributed to this story.

Email Adriana Montes at amontes@CatholicReview.org

To view more photos of the conference, click through the slideshow below: