In-person tickets are sold out, but registration is open for virtual attendance, watch parties
By Emily Woodham
Staff Writer
The Idaho Catholic Women’s Conference, presented by Salt & Light Radio, sold out
of in-person tickets within two weeks. Conference coordinators are encouraging watch parties for the Saturday, Sept. 14 event, so that women can gather with friends while attending the conference virtually.
“The feedback from those who hosted or attended watch parties has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Carol Brown, director of marketing and community relations for Salt & Light. “Women appreciate the opportunity to be part of the conference without having to travel to Boise. They find it a wonderful way to connect and participate with their sisters-in-faith across the Diocese.”
This year’s conference theme, “The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength,” is taken from Nehemiah 8:10. The coordinators consistently focus on the themes of joy and healing, Brown said. “We hope attendees, whether in-person or virtual, leave with a renewed sense of joy and strength in their faith, feeling spiritually rejuvenated and equipped with practical insights.”
Many homes and parishes have gone above and beyond to replicate the conference experience. Brown explained that watch parties at home often coordinate with their parishes so virtual attendees can receive the sacraments, including Mass. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be made available, and there will be opportunities for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. “Additionally, the creativity in food and decorations has been phenomenal, enhancing the sense of community and celebration,” said Brown.
Margie Booth, director of religious education at All Saints Parish in Lewiston, is hosting a watch party for the third year in a row. “It’s not difficult to arrange a watch party,” Booth said. “I’m so happy that Salt & Light Radio live-streams the Women’s Conference. It’s a valuable service to those of us who live a great distance away from the Boise area to be able to participate in the conference this way, and I greatly appreciate it.”
Although watch parties can be a simple gathering of friends at a home, Booth hosts at the church for the women of her parish. About 30 – 35 women have attended the watch party each year. She coordinates with the parish administrative assistant, Gail Jampolsky, to arrange space and advertising in the parish bulletin and website. She also contacts the parish priests to check for availability for Mass, Reconciliation and Adoration on the day of the conference.
Those who host, individually or as a parish team, can make the party simple or extravagant. Margie Booth purchases items for the continental breakfast and has a caterer provide lunch. She also asks for volunteers to help with set up and clean up. She practices with the projector and sound system the day before to ensure all the technical equipment works well for the conference.
“My favorite aspect of the watch party is hearing the speakers. I enjoy the opportunity to learn and grow in my faith and refill my spiritual cup. It’s also fun to meet and visit with other women who may attend Mass at a different time, or live in a nearby town,” Booth said.
The conference begins at 8 a.m. with Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter Christensen. After a continental breakfast following Mass, talks will be presented by Father John Mosier of the Diocese of Boise, author Carrie Daunt and Sister Mary Madeline Todd, O.P., a Dominican Sister of the Congregation of Saint Cecilia. Lunch will be served during the conference. Adoration and Reconciliation are also available. A room is provided for nursing mothers and their babies.
Father John Mosier, ordained in 2019, is the newly assigned pastor at St. Mark’s Parish in Boise. He is a graduate of Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon, where he completed master’s degrees in divinity and theology. He also has a degree in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Athenaeum St. Anselmo in Rome, Italy. Before being ordained to the priesthood, he was married for fourteen years. He served as a Marine captain and is a veteran of the First Gulf War. Later, Mosier became senior vice president of global operations for Sony Biotechnology. After his wife’s death from cancer, he felt called to pursue the priesthood.
Carrie Daunt is a speaker for the John Paul II Healing Center’s Undone Women’s Conference and Unveiled Marriage Conference. She is also the author of three books on identity and healing.
Sister Mary Madeline speaks and writes on spiritual and moral theology, including contributions to the books “Promise and Challenge,”
“Beautiful Mercy,” and “Pope Francis and the Event of Encounter.” She currently teaches theology at Aquinas College in Nashville.
“Both Sister Mary Madeline Todd and Carrie Daunt have amazing books,” Brown said. “I am excited for the women to hear their teaching and then apply their message after the conference. And as Father John Mosier said on the air, ‘You need to come to the conference to realize why you needed to come to this conference.’”
For more information, to register for virtual attendance or watch parties, visit idahocatholicwomen.org.
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