Approximately 25 Milwaukee-area women gathered February 19 at the Provincial Conference Center in Franklin, WI, for the first of two sessions of the “Catholic Women Leaders’ Winter Series.” Organized by the Dehonian Associates Office and sponsored by the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians), the theme of this year’s series is “Leadership from the Saints.”
“The goal for this inaugural event is to provide space for initial community-building and formation,” said Monica Misey, director of Dehonian Associates. Women from across the Archdiocese of Milwaukee were invited to attend.
Grace Urbanski – educator, author and speaker – was the presenter. The two saints that Grace reflected on were Margaret Mary Alacoque and Claude de la Colombiere and their relationship to the Sacred Heart. “How has encountering the Sacred Heart affected our hearts?” she asked the women gathered. “What are the Sacred Heart’s implications for leadership?”
Closing the evening with prayer, Monica noted that “We are here at the conference center of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. Their founder, Fr. Leo John Dehon, saw the importance of bringing people together from all walks of life for prayer, fellowship and formation. My hope is that these conferences will help to meet unmet needs of this leadership group, but also to continue the traditions and priorities of Fr. Dehon.”
The next session will be held on March 19.
