OUR LIFE: In Mary, after Christ, we live and move and have our being. She is our spiritual mother in the order of grace. She's the New Eve, the Mother of All the Living in the New Covenant. We recognize and are grateful we came to life in Christ because of Mary's "yes" at the Annunciation. We all owe our spiritual lives to our mother. Christ gave us His Mother as our mother; she is "our life."
OUR SWEETNESS: When we love someone, we use endearing terms to refer to them. When you spend time with Mary and talk to her, pray to her, she has a way of bringing us joy, hope and sweetness. When we fall, Mary comes as "our sweetness," our loving mother.
OUR HOPE: In the eyes of the world, everything fell apart 2,000 years ago on Good Friday. All hope seemed lost. The disciples ran away. There was one person still standing there whose heart was filled with hope. Even going through a torturous agony in her maternal heart she was not despairing or lacking trust, but was an anchor of hope for St. John and for the Church, even to the present day. When we go through agony and all hope seems lost, she reminds us it is not. As our spiritual Mother, she continues to be hope for us in difficult times, in times of darkness, or when we have trouble seeing what God's plan or purpose is for us. "Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy. Our Life, Our Sweetness, and Our Hope."
Speakers
Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle is recognized by millions of people as the friendly face and soothing voice of ideal Catholic womanhood. Yet her frequent appearances on radio and television, many best-selling books (more than 35), and dynamic speaking engagements have established her as a mainstay in the lives of anyone devoted to seeking to live according to strong Christian values, to improving their family relationships, and making a powerful impact on their communities. As a Catholic, her universal, compassionate and relatable approach has catapulted her into the mainstream media and the lives of all denominations of Christians, as well as those seeking a deeper relationship with God and a more fulfilling life. A best-selling and award-winning author, she was named one of the “Top Ten Most Fascinating Catholics” in 2009. Publishers Weekly recognized Donna-Marie’s first book Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers as a breakout top ten best-seller within the first week of its release.
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Jean MacKenzie, R. PSYCH
Jean is a registered psychologist and founder of Crystal River Counsellors. She holds a Master of Arts in Counselling from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and is a member of both the College of Alberta Psychologists and the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta. With over two decades of experience, Jean specializes in trauma therapy and couples counselling, helping individuals and couples heal, grow, and strengthen their relationships.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AND TALKS
FRIDAY EVENING
DOORS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION: 5:00 PM
MASS: 6:00 PM: Fr. Carlos Nunez
BREAK: 7-7:10 PM
WELCOME: 7:10: MC, Kristen Schiller
TALK #1: 7:15 PM: 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.
ADORATION/RECONCILIATION: 8:00 PM (Several Priests will be available)
SOCIAL: 9:00-10:00 PM (Refreshments and Snacks in the Hall)
SATURDAY MORNING
DOORS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION: 7:00 AM
ROSARY: 7:30 AM
MASS: 8:00 AM: Fr. Antony Cruz Michael
BREAKFAST: 9:00 AM
TALK 2: 10:00 AM: 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 @ 11:15 AM: 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.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
LUNCH: 12:15 PM
TALK #4: 1:30 PM: 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: 2:45 PM: 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!
CLOSE: 3:45 PM: MC, Kristen Schiller
HFP VIGIL MASS: 5:00 PM
Please be respectful of parishioners coming to pray the Rosary and for Mass by doing your visiting and farewells in the Hall, and away from the Welcome Area. Vendors, please be out of the Welcome Area by 4:30 pm. Thank you for your cooperation and polite witness to Fr. Antony and Holy Family Parish parishioners.
Music Ministry: St. Rose of Lima Choir
Louise Gunderson and Friends
