SOUTH OGDEN -- The Catholic Northern Deanery of Utah is inviting all women of any faith to a women's retreat on May 19, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1100 E. 5550 South.
The event, "Seasons of Faith: Encircling Our Calling and Spiritual Growth," is designed to be a day for women to learn about themselves and gain feelings of fulfillment and peace.
Preregistration is preferred by calling 801-989-2257 or emailing joyfulevent@yahoo.com.
Cost is $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
"I wanted an event that would speak to women during this Easter season. It is simply like an invitation from God saying, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,'" said Maria Lobato, event coordinator.
Lobato is a member of the Council of Catholic Women and of the Northern Deanery of Utah.
"This retreat provides us the environment to rejuvenate the mind and soul," she said, noting that she believes the speakers and presenters to be talented and passionate.
Speakers will be Jean Welch Hill, government liaison and director of the Diocesan Peace and Justice Commission with the Diocese of Salt Lake City; Father Carl Schlichte, of St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center in Salt Lake City; Monica Howa-Johnson, a music ministry coordinator at St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center; and Thomas Devereux, a parishioner of St. Mary's in West Haven and a member of the Lay Ecclesial Ministry formation program for the Diocese of Salt Lake City.
Before joining the Diocese, Hill served as an attorney for the Utah State Board of Education.
She has also taught history at Judge Memorial High School and was an editorial writer for the Salt Lake Tribune.
Hill uses Catholic social teaching to educate legislators regarding the impacts of proposed legislation on life and human dignity and works to inspire other Catholics to join in the church's social justice mission.
Schlichte was ordained a priest in 1998. He has served in many capacities, helping and encouraging others in their faith.
Howa-Johnson has taught in the Diocese, worked at the Pastoral Center and teaches religion to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School. She is also in the Lay Ecclesial Ministry formation program for the Diocese.
Devereux teaches religious education confirmation and is on the parish advisory committee.
The Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of the Salt Lake City Diocese, also will attend.
"I am amazed at how it came together so easily and how the Holy Spirit worked in our presenters that are now a part of this day," Lobato said. "This retreat will be a day of enlightenment of faith, a day to cleanse our spirits and encourage our connection as women in faith."
Quoting a saying she'd heard, Lobato said: "A spiritual retreat is a place where the seekers are seeking God, and it is where God is seeking the seekers. It is simply the right place to come together."
The day of the event, check-in will start at 8 a.m., and the retreat will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be drawings, time for discussion and reflection. A light breakfast and lunch will be served.
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