Women of Dignity Conference 2025: WAS SO AMAZING!
Speakers
Thank You, Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle and Jean MacKenzie for a wonderful 2025 Women of Dignity Conference.
We were encouraged by Donna-Marie's faith as she persevered in prayer in the face of many tragedies and trials in her life. She spoke of the hope and help she received from Mary, Our Life, Our Sweetness and Our Hope, her dear friend, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and teachings of the Divine Mercy given through Saint Faustina. Donna-Marie feels called to help others through sharing her own story and offering prayers of support to those who shared their own difficulties with her. She listened with empathy and responded as Saint Mother Teresa often told her - with love. Every soul needs to know the love of Jesus and we are called to show them, and we must see Jesus in each soul and love Him through them.
Jean helped us understand that struggles in marriage are to be expected and read the quote below, after first challenging the women in the audience to tell her where the quote was from. Sadly, NONE of us knew the answer. It was from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1606.
"Every man experiences evil around him and within himself. This experience makes itself felt in the relationships between man and woman. Their union has always been threatened by discord, a spirit of domination, infidelity, jealousy, and conflicts that can escalate into hatred and separation. This disorder can manifest itself more or less acutely, and can be more or less overcome according to the circumstances of cultures, eras, and individuals, but it does seem to have a universal character."
The Church tells us this is the reality of marriage. But this is not the final answer. She read CCC 1615:
"This unequivocal insistence on the indissolubility of the marriage bond may have left some perplexed and could seem to be a demand impossible to realize. However, Jesus has not placed on spouses a burden impossible to bear, or too heavy - heavier than the Law of Moses. [Cf. Mk 8:34; Mt 11:29-30] By coming to restore the original order of creation disturbed by sin, he himself gives the strength and grace to live marriage in the new dimension of the Reign of God. It is by following Christ, renouncing themselves, and taking up their crosses that spouses will be able to "receive" the original meaning of marriage and live it with the help of Christ. [Cf. Mt 19:11] This grace of Christian marriage is a fruit of Christ's cross, the source of all Christian life. [2364, 1642]
Jean followed this with some excellent tools and suggestions that can be used, not only within marriage, but in all the varied relationships of our lives. This was followed by some lively interactions within the audience, ignited hope going forward that through Grace and following the MAP, we will achieve our M: Mission on earth which is Heaven. A: align our words, actions and deeds with that mission, and
P: begin with and follow up with Prayer.
Lastly, she reminded us that WE ARE NOT ALONE in our battles or in the success of our Mission and to seek, and be mentors for, one another. Everyone appreciated these tools and concrete examples of how to use them which was a source of great hope in our confused world.
Conference Talks
TALK #1: Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle (Testimonial Talk)
"The Kiss of Jesus: A Crooked Path of Heartache, Mercy, Love, and Deep Joy”
Donna-Marie shares deeply personal experiences of her crooked path through life, including her captivity, losses, abandonment, and more. This author and EWTN television Host has discovered that sharing struggles, with God’s grace, brings hope to others and that God’s unfathomable Love and Mercy saves our souls and brings abiding peace and joy to our hearts. Donna-Marie shares how through God’s amazing grace, saints (including St. Mother Teresa) entered her life, and that her precarious pregnancy when her baby was dying turned out to be a nine-month Novena of prayer and the beginning of her Ministry and numerous books for the world.
TALK 2: Jean MacKenzie
“Marriage on the Frontlines: The Battle for Family and Faith”
In a world that distorts the meaning of love, the Church calls us back to the truth of marriage as a covenant, a sacrament, and a mission to lead one another to heaven. The Catechism not only teaches the beauty of marriage but also warns us of the real difficulties couples will face—difficulties that should motivate us to prepare for battle with prayer, virtue, and grace. Jean will reveal how apparent contradictions in marriage—such as accepting one’s spouse as they are while also calling them to holiness—are not opposites but complementary truths. She will encourage couples to adopt a growth mindset rooted in faith, seeing every moment, even irritation or conflict, as an opportunity to grow in virtue and to discern whether our responses spring from selfishness or from love that sanctifies.
TALK #3: Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
“Our Life, Our Sweetness, and Our Hope: Jubilee Pilgrims of Hope with Mary”
We know without doubt that salvation comes through Jesus. Yet, throughout the centuries, many saints have preached the necessity of getting to know Mary so that she can more readily bring us to her Son. Saint Thomas Aquinas reminded us, “Mary means Star of the sea, for as mariners are guided to port by the ocean star, so Christians attain to glory through Mary’s maternal intercession.” Donna-Marie discusses how our Blessed Mother Mary is truly an essential REASON for our HOPE, especially in our day and time. In her presentation, Donna-Marie will bring some of Mary’s key moments and approved Apparitions to life, and will weave in some of the Marian Saints’ teachings, as well as her beloved friend and mentor, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
TALK #4: Jean MacKenzie
“Brothers-in-Arms, Sisters-in-Christ: The Power of Mentorship in the Battle for Marriage”
The spiritual battle for marriage is not meant to be fought alone. Jean will share how couples can strengthen one another, drawing inspiration from the Church’s wisdom and the lived reality of mentorship. Highlighting practical ways to walk with other couples—including resources like "To Know, Love, and Serve"—she will demonstrate how mentoring relationships foster resilience, accountability, and courage in the face of family life's challenges. In this talk, couples will be invited to see mentorship as both a gift received and a mission given, preparing the next generation of marriages for victory in Christ.
TALK #5: Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
"Our Sacred Calling as Catholic Women: Amid Gifts, Graces, and Demands."
Donna-Marie will discuss the Sacred calling of women — their call to prayer and holiness, their God-given gifts and dignity, including their spiritual motherhood, as well as the myriad issues and demands that women face (including every state of life of women). Donna-Marie suggests ways in which to overcome the difficulties. As well, she speaks of the many changes women will face in their lives. She will also touch upon the Sacred Calling to families which we learn in Familiaris Consortio (Family Spirituality: Family Become What You Are). Donna-Marie encourages Catholic women to live their lives with great holy gusto — giving glory to God and serving His people!
Music Ministry: St. Rose of Lima Choir
Eight voices sublimely blended with piano and violin in a harmony of worship that raised our hearts to God and filled our souls with a longing for the sweet songs of the angels. Donna-Marie wanted to take the choir home to her parish in Connecticut.
