Indiana Catholic Women’s Conference set for March 21 in Indy

Criterion staff report

The annual Indiana Catholic Women’s Conference will take place in the Sagamore Ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capital Ave., in Indianapolis, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on March 21.

Sponsored by the Marian Center of Indianapolis, the theme of this year’s conference is a quote from St. John Paul II: “In that little host is the solution to all the problems of the world.”

This year’s speakers include Franciscan Father Pio Francesco Mandato, Gina Bauer, Annie Karto and Msgr. Joseph Schaedel, pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis.

Father Pio and his parents came to the United States from Pietrelcina, Italy, the same town as St. Pio, also known as Padre Pio, the famous 20th-century stigmatist priest. Father Pio knew the saint and received his first holy Communion from him. Father Pio is a member of the Franciscan Missionary Hermits of St. Joseph and lives in eastern Pennsylvania. During the conference, Father Pio will offer individual blessings with a glove of St. Pio.

Bauer has been a teacher and speaker for St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota, NET Ministries and the St. John Bosco Conference for catechists and religious educators in Steubenville, Ohio. She has traveled the country serving as a retreat master and trainer for both youth and adult groups alike. She is an expert on the topic of the dignity of the human person and living holiness in today’s culture.

Catholic singer-songwriter and inspirational speaker Annie Karto hopes to stir the flame in the Catholic Church through the power of God’s great gift of music. Given a penance 27 years ago to spread the message of Divine Mercy, Karto combines her songs with her testimony of the healing mercy of God.

Msgr. Schaedel has ministered in central and southern Indiana for 38 years. During that time, he has served as a teacher, associate pastor, pastor, moderator of the curia, vicar for religious, vicar general, and director of various archdiocesan offices, including vocations, pro-life, mission and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. He is known for his humor and for his deep devotion to Christ and the Church.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the conference starting at 8:30 a.m. The day will include lunch and the opportunity for Mass, the sacrament of reconciliation, adoration, Benediction and the opportunity to purchase items at vendors’ booths.

Until March 9, the cost to register is $50 per person, or $45 for groups of 10 or more. Those prices increase by $5 after March 11. The costs for students and religious are $25 and $15, respectively, regardless of registration date. A gift and VIP seating will be given to each member of the largest group in attendance.

Carpooling is recommended. Economical parking is available across the street from the Indiana Convention Center at the Government Parking Garage on Missouri and Maryland streets.

For more information, to register online or to print a downloadable registration form, go to bit.ly/ICWC2020 (case sensitive).

For those with no access to a computer, write a check made out to Marian Center of Indianapolis for the appropriate amount with an indication of the number attending, and mail it to Marian Center of Indianapolis, P.O. Box 47362, Indianapolis, IN 46247. †