Nearly 1,000 Catholic women find peace in the midst of anxiety

A local women’s Bible study led by Catholic convert Lisa Brenninkmeyer started its journey in 2002 with eight participants in the basement of St. Andrew by the Bay in Annapolis.

“Walking with Purpose” (WWP) now has 23 parish Bible studies throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore and 460 throughout the world, caring for 42,000 Catholic women of all ages in 2022.

Nearly 1,000 women gathered at St. John Neumann in Annapolis April 7 to hear the ministry’s founder give a presentation titled “Hallelujah Anyway: Discovering Good Despite Anxiety.”

According to the American Psychological Association, rates of anxiety and depression among U.S. adults are about four times higher now than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Women are twice as likely to have an anxiety disorder as men are, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

Brenninkmeyer encouraged audience members to find support in their fellow Bible study groups and look to Scripture, prayer and abandonment in the Lord, although that is not meant to replace professional help. 

“There are times where medical help is needed and there is absolutely no shame,” Brenninkmeyer said. “In fact, there is wisdom in seeking medical help.”  

The “good thing” of anxiety is that it “alerts us of something that needs to be released to God and say, ‘Jesus I trust in you, take care of everything,’” Brenninkmeyer said. “That allows me to say ‘Hallelujah’ in the struggle. Hallelujah in the anxiety. Hallelujah in the darkness. Hallelujah anyway.’”

Ali Matthews, a parishioner of St. Andrew by the Bay who attended the conference, told the Catholic Review she had a lot of anxiety about going to church and being part of the Catholic Church as a single parent. 

“I was barely comfortable going to Mass,” Matthews said.

After six years of attending the WWP Bible study, she said her perspective has changed. She feels welcomed into the church and now volunteers at the parish kitchen among other tasks. 

Nancy McGettigan, an 18-year-old freshman at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and parishioner of Ss. Peter and Paul in Easton, said the talk helped her to trust and realize God is ultimately in control. 

“I struggle with anxiety myself sometimes, but also see loved ones go through it,” she said. “This talk will definitely help me to lean more on God and give everything up to him.”

McGettigan attended the April 7 talk with her mother, Suzanne McGettigan, one of the pioneers of WWP at St. Andrew by the Bay.

Chanda Manturuk, a parishioner of St. Andrew by the Bay, was also one of the first attendees at WWP at St. Andrew as a young mom.

“You didn’t just keep everything within the group, but you kept things positive,” Manturuk said, calling small groups a strong foundation for the Bible study. “If you were having a struggle in your marriage or something else, you would be respectful about your husband but you would share openly and great. It was teaching you a different way to work through relationship issues.”

Amelia Eudy first joined WWP when her husband was stationed on a military base in Naples, Italy.

“Our faith tends to be very individualistic. In church, I’m praying to him (God) in my mind,” she said. “But to come in fellowship and share that experience or a spiritual idea with other Catholic women, that is community.”

She found that “relationships in the Bible study stayed constant, no matter what is going on.” When she returned to the United States, she found another WWP group at St. Mary in Annapolis.

Mary Ellen Kokoska, a parishioner of Church of the Nativity in Timonium and a retired woman in her 70s, said she had never been in a Bible study before WWP arrived at Nativity during summer 2022. The group now cares for 50 to 75 women.

“I was able to have some guidance, read the Bible and share with other women,” she noted. “Now when the pastor speaks about something in the Bible, I know what he is talking about because you really get a deeper understanding of Scripture and prayer life.”

Kokoska is now a co-leader of WWP in Timonium and attended the April 7 event with three friends.

Ali Kettmer, another member of WWP and parishioner of St. Mary, attended the event with her 6-week-old child. The mother of four said the Bible study has become a safe place for her.

“I love going because it’s a little break,” she noted. “You’re just worrying about your needs and yourself and as moms that’s hard for us to let go.”

Not only did Kettmer find a community, but her children found other children to play with. Her husband met other men of faith from the parish.

“Women are really hungry to grow in their spiritual journey by coming together,” said Julie Ricciardi, CEO and board chairwoman of Walking with Purpose.

To learn more about WWP, visit walkingwithpurpose.com

Email Priscila González de Doran at pdoran@CatholicReview.org

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