As emcee for more than a decade, I have experienced the conference from a slightly different seat: backstage. In between announcements and introductions, I listen to the inspirational talks and testimonies, raise my hands and voice during incredible praise and worship music, participate in Mass, adoration, and confession — and occasionally sneak in a minute or two of shopping for unique Catholic gifts around the vendor area.

The first time I ever received prayer ministry was at the conference in 2012. I didn’t know what to expect. As the beautiful group began to pray, I was overcome by a feeling of love, warmth, and peace. The Holy Spirit was so present. When I opened my eyes, rivers of tears rolled down my cheeks.

The conference introduced me to spiritual direction and healing ministry. In fact, I graduated from the Encounter School of Ministry is 2022 and have been part of a team that helped Bishop Robert Gruss bring healing ministry into the Diocese of Saginaw. A desire to continue to grow in the area of inner healing led to further training through the John Paul II Healing Center. I’m convinced the seeds were planted years ago during talks given by Dr. Mary Healy and Father Mathias Thelen.

At last year’s conference, author and speaker Sheri Wohlfert told me she had been praying for me. I ran into a childhood friend I hadn’t seen in years, and we exchanged a quick hug, and someone else gave me a word after Mass that I knew came directly from the Lord. Each time I have attended the conference, the Lord has poured into me in the most amazing ways through the sacraments, the talks, and the people present. If you’ve attended the conference, you know what I’m talking about. The Lord shows up — often unexpectedly — throughout the day.

Why is this one day so impactful? I truly believe it is because of the intentional, prayerful approach of those who plan it. A team of some of the most faith-filled women I have come to know always begin by praying and meeting a year in advance. They don’t simply suggest conference themes and speakers and make a decision. They take everything before the Lord. With discerning hearts, they ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what those in attendance need to receive. Then they plan. They also pray for us, and they ask others to pray for us — both leading up to and on the day of the conference. We experience the fruit of that prayer. Their witness is a model I try to replicate.

When the Lansing Center welcomes more than 1,000 women through its doors for the Michigan Catholic Women’s Conference, digital screens with stained glass and a large crucifix make the stage look like a church. It helps create an environment where hearts and minds are turned upward, thanks to an incredible Christian-based production team. Every detail is carefully attended to in an effort to provide a safe, spirit-filled environment where we can be vulnerable and grow confident in our identity as daughters of the King. One of the most powerful moments during the day is the Eucharistic procession and adoration. And it is always moving when the Diocese of Lansing’s Bishop Earl Boyea celebrates Mass at the end of the day and then asks women from each of the seven (arch) dioceses across Michigan to stand along with women from outside of our state, too. It is wonderful to have my own mom there with me — and sometimes my sisters, godmother, aunt, and cousin, too.

Regardless of where we are on the journey, God always has more for us. Every year I think to myself, “There’s no way to top last year,” but somehow it happens. The bigger challenge — as daughters, mothers, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers — is carving out a whole day away from those who depend on us. At the same time, when we take time to be renewed and refreshed by the Lord, we are able to share it with others, and they, too, benefit from the graces we receive.

If you come every year, I can’t wait to see you. If it’s been a while, I hope you’ll return. If you’ve never been, give yourself this gift. Pray about it. That little nudge may be the Lord’s invitation to attend.

From experience, I can tell you: it might be hard to make all the arrangements. You might even feel a little stressed when you first walk through the door, but as the music begins, breathe deeply. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you. Exhale those things that weigh you down. Be uplifted by the whole team and all the Lord has planned.

Thirteen years ago, I was invited to emcee the conference. My name was suggested by someone I didn’t know very well. I truly believe it was the Lord’s plan for me to be involved. He knew my life would be transformed through it … and it has been.