Dynamic Women of Faith, an event held on International Women’s Day, attracted women from Toronto, Oakville, Brampton, Milton, Orangeville, Collingwood, Stouffville, Nottawa, Cambridge, Richmond Hill and Scarborough, among other areas. Women of all ages, united by their love of Christ, came together to be replenished and renewed in their journey of faith.
Speakers addressed a variety of issues to help women deal with the competing demands of being a wife, mother, sister, friend, employee and Christian in an increasingly secular world. Many women confronting the desire to have it all, do it all and be everything to everyone are having to make some tough decisions.
Delegates heard an eye-opening talk given by Dr. Julia Cataduella, MD, which candidly addressed the medical and spiritual consequences of contraception. Karen Armstrong, a conference panelist, shared a compelling story about a journey that took her from an executive corporate role of managing markets in Australia, Hong Kong, Germany and Mexico, to a complete change in lifestyle and career that involved a powerful spiritual journey.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when Sonia Commisso talked about her having to deal with the loss of a daughter, her husband’s plight with multiple sclerosis, her son’s seizure disorder and the dramatic rehabilitation and prayer program in place for her daughter Allesia. Commisso talked about the power of surrender, reconciliation, trusting in divine providence and prayer.
Eliza Trotter, school head at the Hawthorn School for Girls, equipped women with strategies to deal with the spirit of materialism that is increasingly permeating our culture and people’s psyches. Father William Mnyagatwa encouraged women, reminding them of their innate power. He did a brilliant job of discussing women in the history of salvation and addressed the differences between Mary, the Mother of God, and Eve, highlighting their individual responses to both evil and temptation.
Conference organizer Dorothy Pilarski, who appears in Mothering, Full of Grace, a Salt and Light television production, and who has been ministering to mothers for well over 12 years, is grateful for all who supported the conference, including dozens of volunteers and sponsors such as Voortman Cookies, Andrew Dziubaniwsky from Investors, the Natural Family Planning Association, the Margaret Bourgeoys Family Centre, the Ave Maria Centre of Peace, Pauline O’Callaghan, a real estate agent with Royal LePage, and Liz Garcia of LG Designs.
Women interested in future Dynamic Women of Faith events can reach Pilarski at info@dorothypilarski.com or by calling (905) 279-7702. Visits to the website www.dynamicwomenfaith.com will encourage women in their faith journeys in between events.
