“Light Shines in the Darkness” is the theme of this year’s Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference in Kasich Hall at the Ohio Expo Center (state fairgrounds) from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.
Speakers will be Danielle Bean, Father Michael Denk, Father Rob Galea and Paula Umana.
Music will be provided by contemporary Catholic artist Hannah Shaefer. Host for the day will be Debbie Georgianni, co-host of EWTN Radio’s daily Take 2 program.
The day will begin with Mass and end with a Holy Hour. It also will include an opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation, displays by faith-based organizations, and breakfast and lunch.
Registration is $45 for adults, $35 for students and free to members of religious orders. Scholarships are available to pay all or half of the cost for those who cannot afford it.
Bean is creator and host of The Gist, a weekly women’s talk show on Catholic TV. She also is host of the Girlfriends podcast and creator of the Girlfriends Community, a supportive and encouraging online community of Catholic women from all walks of life. She has written 10 books. Her latest, Whisper: Finding God in the Everyday, encourages people to slow down and experience God in routine moments.
Father Denk is founder of The Prodigal Father, whose mission is to inspire, introduce and guide people in a deep, authentic prayer life, leading them to an intimate, mystical and personal relationship with God, in and through Jesus and through the workings of the Holy Spirit. He is also an author and blogger, whose books include Pray40Days: The Personal Relationship With God You Have Always Wanted and PrayAdvent.
Father Galea, from Australia, is a singer and songwriter with an international fan base. He was a contestant on Australia’s version of The X Factor in 2015 and sang the English versions of the official 2008, 2016 and 2019 World Youth Day songs. He and his team minister to more than 400,000 young people each year. He believes that music and film are important instruments in helping people understand the need for intimacy with God.
Umana is the author of 40 Gifts of Hope and host of the podcast Hope for the Sick and Suffering. Her main vocation is to provide Catholic resources to encourage and help people dealing with suffering and illness. She is from Costa Rica and is a former No. 1 tennis player in Central America.
After giving birth to her fifth child, she suddenly became ill with a nervous system disorder that left her a quadriplegic. She eventually was able to start moving and says that thanks to the prayers of others and to her own Catholic faith, joy from the Holy Spirit, hope and courage she has surpassed everyone’s expectations.
For more information on scholarships and the conference, go to www.columbuscatholicwomen.com/.