WINE Conference Opportunity for Spiritual Enrichment

Women in the Diocese of Baton Rouge showed they are thirsty for the fruit of the vine planted by Women in the New Evangelization (WINE) at its first conference in 2019 at Holy Rosary Church in St. Amant. 

Women from the sold-out conference immediately began planning for a second conference, which will be held July 24, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., at St. Aloysius Church in Baton Rouge.

WINE began as a response by Pope Francis’ call to a deeper, more profound theology of women in the church, according to WINE founder Kelly Wahlquist, who is assistant director for the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

“I heard in my heart, whereas the Lord said to St. Francis, ‘Rebuild my church,’ I heard, ‘Heal my body. The body of Christ is battered, bruised and broken, and I need you as women working in these beautiful gifts I’ve given you in your womanhood to heal the body of Christ,’ ” said Walhquist. “So that’s where WINE really began, with this desire to work in the gifts of the feminine genius and to heal Christ’s body.”

WINE works with women’s ministries and apostolates across the country. Through its book clubs, pilgrimages, conferences and roots in the Catholic Church, WINE’s goal is to unite women in faith from every walk of life. 

“This ministry is out to change the world by connecting ladies with each other no matter where they are in their spiritual journey,” said Wahlquist.

The conference at Holy Rosary was well received. Attendees enthusiastically participated in a day filled with fun, laughter, fellowship, shopping and messages from speakers who motivated the women to go deeper in their spiritual lives. 

“We have a great team of women in Baton Rouge, working with the Diocese of Baton Rouge,” Wahlquist commented.

People from about 20 different states, as well as from other countries, attended the first Baton Rouge conference, Wahlquist noted.

“It started a movement in the area and got women super excited. A number of women said, ‘We’re finally able to come together and worship and celebrate our faith together as sisters in Christ.’ ” 

Wahlquist said one of the core team members was so inspired that before the conference at Holy Rosary had ended she initiated planning for one at St. Aloysius for this year.

Wahlquist noted that women are “created radically relational.” And with the pandemic during the past year, their ability to relate was hampered.

“It’s been very tough,” Wahlquist said.

She added, “This (conference at St. Aloysius) is an opportunity to be spiritually enriched, to be fed and start going back to being together in person.

“There’s something important about being together as the body of Christ. We really need each other, women being together in fellowship. As some women have said, ‘I feel like I belong.’ ” 

 The theme of this year’s conference is “Called by Name.”

“We are all called to be disciples. We know that in our hearts,” Wahlquist said. 

She pointed out that dynamic speakers featured at this conference include Sonja Corbitt, Catholic author and speaker who has produced several multimedia Bible studies; ValLimar Jansen, singer, composer and recording artist; and “homegrown talent” Erin Franco, Catholic wife and mother of three, Catholic blogger, and radio host and Staci Gulino, Catholic podcaster and host on Catholic Community Radio.

The conference includes Mass at 8 a.m., adoration, confession, shopping, lunch and raffle.

“There’s a lot going on, but it will feed you in many ways,” said Wahlquist.

Dina Dow, director of the Office of Evangelization for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, called the conference a “beautiful experience.”  “It’s a great way to wrap up the summer before school begins,” said Dow. “It’s a wonderful day of retreat.”

An early bird cost to attend runs through Thursday, July 1. Scholarships are available. To register and for more information about cost for the event, visit CatholicVinyard.com.