Marian Authentic Women’s Conference will be held in Indianapolis on Oct. 25

Criterion staff report

A Marian Authentic Women’s Conference will be held at Primo Banquet & Conference Center, 2615 National Ave., in Indianapolis, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Oct. 25.

The theme of the conference is “A Woman’s Vocation is Love.” It is designed for Catholic women at all stages of life—single, married, mothers, grandmothers and religious. It will include uplifting talks, music, quiet time for reflection and a marketplace with Catholic vendors and resources.

The event will feature keynote speakers Claire Dwyer, Emily Wilson Hussem and Father Patrick Schultz.

Dwyer is the author of This Present Paradise: A Spiritual Journey with St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the creator of the “Let Yourself Be Loved” retreat and journal. She is also a speaker, retreat leader and spiritual director who, according to her bio on clairedwyer.com, seeks “to invite women to discover their exquisitely unique design and unrepeatable story so they can better discern God’s purpose for their lives, become more fully themselves, and make a whole-hearted yes to all the right things.” She will speak on “Let Yourself Be Loved, The Enduring Message of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity,” a French Carmelite nun who died in 1906 at 26 and is considered to have a spirituality similar to that of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Wilson Hussem is the author of seven books, a YouTube Catholic influencer, the creator of video courses on seasons of significant change in women’s lives and producer with her husband of a faith-based children’s TV show. A wife and mother, she shares her witness at conferences and events around the world. Her talk will focus on the vocation of women to love.

Father Schultz, a priest of the Cleveland Diocese, is administrator of St. Bartholomew Parish in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. He speaks at youth and young adult retreats and events, with a particular focus on promoting the teachings of Pope St. John Paul II on the Theology of the Body, as well as themes on apologetics and spirituality. Father Schultz has served as the chaplain for the Theology of the Body Institute, both for academic courses and pilgrimage programs, and can be heard on the podcast “Slaking Thirsts.” He will speak on love as women’s vocational call.

Katie Klee, a member of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Indianapolis, will serve as emcee. She has spoken at retreats for nearly 20 years, most recently focusing on the topic of being single, Catholic and older than 30 while sensing a call to marriage. She seeks to create a space for others who are in the same space in their lives to feel seen and encouraged and grow in the hope of God’s promise that he has not forgotten them.

Internationally renowned Catholic composer, singer and songwriter Francesca LaRosa will serve as musician for the conference. Her word-for-word Psalm settings in English and Spanish featured on her YouTube channel gained international recognition and are used worldwide. LaRosa has performed at events around the world, including in Indianapolis for the 2011 National Catholic Youth Conference at age 18 and the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress. She received the Best New Singer award at the first-ever Catholic Music Awards held in Rome in July.

The event is co-sponsored by the archdiocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life and by LOVE (Living Our Vocations Everyday) Ministries, Inc., a local ministry whose vision is “to unite and strengthen Catholic families, men and women of all vocations through enriching, Christ-centered events that inspire holiness, foster community and deepen their love for the Church.” It was founded by Lisa Brassie, a member of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Indianapolis.

The cost is $50 for ages 25 and older, $360 for groups of eight, $15 for ages 14-24 and free for religious women. The cost includes a light breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks. Tickets are available online and must be purchased by Oct. 21.

For more information on the event—including about becoming a sponsor, vendor or volunteer—or to register, go to loveministriesindy.org/mawc. For information not found on that site, contact Lisa Brassie at 317-361-8361 or info@loveministriesindy.org. †