Published February 18, 2007

Conference Opens Women’s Eyes  to God’s Forgiveness and Mercy

By Eileen Dugan
Sooner Catholic

EDMOND — As snow swirled outside, almost 700 women, many more than expected, arose early on a crisp Saturday morning to drive to Saint Monica’s Catholic Church where they learned about “Becoming Worthy Women of God,” the theme of the first-ever Oklahoma Catholic Women’s Conference.

Texan Mary Jane Fox grabbed the attention of the audience immediately with her compelling story. She told of “Encountering the Risen Lord — Our Healer.” Several years ago she was sick with a life-threatening disease. At that time, she made a New Year’s resolution to grow spiritually. Then, “Providentially,”  a  Catholic  priest’s healing service, was offered in her vicinity. She went and felt the beginnings of a physical and spiritual healing.

Over the next 12 months, as Fox prayed, attended daily Mass, made Adoration visits and read Scripture, she began “to encounter Christ.” Gradually, as she let go of anger and bitterness and began to forgive herself and others, her health improved. A year after the healing service, her doctor confirmed that she was completely healed. “Where there is a lack of forgiveness, health problems can result,” she said.

Mary-Ellen Wolf of Saint James the Greater Parish in Oklahoma City, described Fox’s message as something “I needed in my life.”

Christine Grewe from Saint John’s Parish in Edmond agreed. “I’m looking for ways to deal with forgiveness,” she said. “I’m also hoping for a healing process, a catalyst, to bring back joy into my life.”

Linda Burke, also from Saint John’s, found Fox’s quote, “The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you” very comforting. She thinks that many Christians are fearful of following the Lord because they fear being asked by God to do something dangerous.

“Because of this fear, we put up roadblocks that don’t leave us totally open to the grace of God,” Burke said. “The speaker convinced me that we don’t need to worry about this.”  

Suzanne  Baars,  a  licensed,  professional  counselor  and  family therapist from Dallas, spoke about the importance of encouraging all those we meet. A lack of affirmation leads to psychological problems, she said.

Several women from Immaculate Conception   Church   in   Marlow discussed Baars’ talk. “She helped me understand the way people who have not had love in their lives act and how we can respond and help them by being open and loving,” said Lois Deasy. RCIA teacher Peggy Darnnall, added, “We give out a lot of information (to RCIA candidates), but not a lot of inspiration. To be inspiring, the speaker said, we need to reveal our feelings of how much we love our faith. We need to show these emotions to those about to become Catholics and hope that they will have the same feelings.”

The necessity of quieting oneself so the Lord’s message can get through was another part of Baars’ message that touched many in the audience. Fran Gildon, also from Marlow, said, “The speaker said we need to take time ‘to be’ in order to realize we’re encountering Christ in other people.”

Mary Gagnon of Sacred Heart Church in Alva said, “She told us to slow down so we can take in more of what the Lord is trying to tell us. God should be the first thing in our lives. He takes care of everything, so why do we worry so much?”

Lupita Sinnestook took away a similar message. “We need to be quiet by going to Holy Hours where we don’t need to say anything. We just need to let Jesus talk to us,” she said.

Angela Stawdt from Saint Mary’s Parish in Guthrie stood by the back doors rocking her smiling, 5-month-old daughter, Caroline, in her arms. “I’m here because I needed to be renewed,” she said. “The last talk (by Baars) makes me thankful for my husband, and it reminds me of how much I need to love my children. The speaker said that we feel at peace when we know that someone loves us for who we are: the good, the bad and the ugly.”

As Mary Poirier walked to the podium and began to speak, the women in the hall sat riveted in their pews as she told of the Lord’s tremendous mercy, of how He had brought her back from a life of alcohol, drugs and sexual promiscuity that resulted in three abortions by the time she was 22.

Years later, she went to Confession, thinking that God would forgive her. He did, but she didn’t feel forgiven. She went to Confession over and over.

Finally, on a trip with her aunt, she again went to Confession. From the priest “there was no judgment coming my way. Just pure love,” she said. She felt like she was talking directly to Jesus. “I bawled and bawled,” she said.

The priest finally asked her to acknowledge and name her aborted children “because they are truly your babies.” She did, and as the priest gave her Absolution, she saw a white light coming into her and heard three voices say, “We love you, Mommy.” For the first time, she felt the joy of her children’s love. “That was the day I received the grace to receive the Lord,” she said.

“There is nothing we can never be forgiven for,” Poirier told the audience. “Our awesome God will always forgive us. We are loved unconditionally, regardless of our actions. We just need to have faith and the strength to be able to make changes in our lives,” she said. “God gave me that strength, and Confession, staying close to Mary, and attending Mass and Adoration were the tools that helped me heal.”

Today, Poirier is happily married to Edmond singer, songwriter and Catholic recording artist Michael Poirier. They have three children.

After hearing Poirier speak, Dena Markey of Saint Monica’s parish said, “I feel in my life I’ve been so blessed. Coming today has helped me to affirm my faith and be thankful.”

Cinde Michoud from Saint John’s in Edmond thought Poirier’s talk was very powerful. So did her daughter-in-law Linsey, who is converting to Catholicism.

“I came today because I wanted to grow spiritually and learn more about the Catholic faith,” Linsey said. “The last speaker’s talk was a good reminder that God forgives us regardless of how sinful our lives have been as long as we seek forgiveness and repent.”