Catholic Women's Conference

FAQs

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If your question is not listed below, please feel free to email us your question at cwc@catholic.org Thank you!

General

Who organizes the Catholic Women’s Conference?

Mary Jane Fox founded the Catholic Women’s Conference in 2001 for women interested in growing in their faith, in learning about their true vocation and dignity as woman and daughters of God. Mary Jane Fox and her husband, Deacon Tom Fox, are founders of the Pilgrim Center of Hope, which serves the Archdiocese of San Antonio as a non-profit organization in the field of Catholic Evangelization.

Nan Balfour is the Coordinator for the Catholic Women’s Conference. She works with a Steering Committee of women who plan the Conference through prayer, monthly meetings, various efforts and—most of all—a commitment to serve the Church in this capacity. The Steering Committee is made up of members who volunteer their time and efforts towards this unique annual event for all women.

Can I help?

Yes! Please complete the form in this website! Also, you will receive In your conference packet, a form to leave contact information if you desire to help plan this wonderful event! There are various jobs that can accommodate any schedule.

Registration

How do I register?

You can register four different ways! Note that your registration is not guaranteed until we receive your payment in full.

Online: Fill out the registration form online.
Mail: Print the registration form and mail with payment to The Pilgrim Center of Hope, 7680 Joe Newton, San Antonio, TX 78251.
Phone: Call in your complete registration with credit card payment: (210) 521-3377. (Visa or MC only by phone)
Walk-ins: We expect to sell out. However, if seats are available the day of the Conference, you may register at the door for $75. This price will not include a lunch.

Is there a deadline to register?

We have established several deadlines to encourage women to register early and guarantee a spot.

Group Registration Discount: Groups of 10 or more women may register using our group forms. Submit forms with payment by August 12, 2013 and each woman pays only $45 - we include Saturday's lunch with the cost!
Individual Registration Price:: Submit registration by August 12, 2013 and pay only $55 - we'll include Saturday's lunch with the cost!
Late Registration Price: Submit registration by September 12, 2013 and pay $65 - we'll include Saturday's lunch with the cost!
Walk-in Registration: We expect to sell out. If seats are available the day of the Conference, you may register at the door for $75. This price will not include a lunch.

Why is there a registration fee to attend?

The Pilgrim Center of Hope, which sponsors and organizes the Conference, is a non-profit organization. Unfortunately, conferences cost money—and a lot of it. Not only must we pay for rental of the facility, speaker stipends and travel expenses, but also lunch, publicity, printing costs and other expenses.
We have tried to keep the cost to a minimum. Some parishes may help defer the cost to attend. If you are not able to pay the fee, we still want you to attend; there are limited scholarships available. See the below for the question on scholarships.

Are there scholarships available?

Yes, there are limited scholarships available. Simply contact the Pilgrim Center of Hope, (210) 521-3377, and ask us to send you a scholarship form. Submit the scholarship form and the registration form directly to the Pilgrim Center of Hope, 7680 Joe Newton, San Antonio, Texas 78251.

Do Clergy or Religious (Professed Sisters) pay full registration fee?

We are happy to welcome clergy and religious as our guests free of charge to attend the Catholic Women’s Conference. However, in order for you to obtain a lunch on Saturday, registration before the conference is required; please register by August 12, 2013.

How about Student Discounts?

Yes. Simply make a copy of your valid Student I.D. card and submit it with your registration form. The Student fee is $25.00 per person, and it includes a lunch. Plan to register early - by September 12, 2013 - for lunch to be included! If you are unable to register early, we will honor the $25.00 registration fee but exclude a lunch.

Do you have Military Discounts?

Thank you for your service! For active-duty military personnel, we are happy to charge only $25.00 per person, and include a lunch. Plan to register early - by September 12, 2013 - for lunch to be included! If you are unable to register by this date, we will honor the $25.00 registration fee but exclude a lunch.

Attendance

Is there a Hotel assigned for Conference attendees?

For a list of hotels nearby the conference venue, see the bottom of our Conference page.

What if I'm not Catholic? Can I still come to the conference?

Yes! The speakers' topics, the worship and praise, the prayers and the fellowship can be appreciated by all Christian denominations, not only Catholics.

I have fallen away from the Church and am hesitant to come. Am I welcome?

You are fully and completely welcome. We want you to come, to take that one step back toward God and His church. Sometimes all it takes is just one step to bring about a major change. Since the inception of the planning efforts, the planning committee has been praying specifically for you, that you will come home. We also welcome your questions.

Is childcare available?

Unfortunately, no. If there is an overwhelming need, we will consider it for future conferences. This year, we are limited in facility space.

May my daughter attend?

Yes, she may. The conference may be a wonderful mother-daughter bonding time. The speakers' topics are geared toward adults, so while each child is different, girls younger than high school might not be mature enough to fully comprehend the topics.

Can I receive Archdiocesan Catechetical Credit by attending the Conference?

Yes, by attending the entire 2013 Catholic Women's Conference you can receive 6 hours of Renewal Credit through the Archdiocese of San Antonio's Catechetical Center. When you check in at Registration upon arrival, provide your name, address and phone number and that you would like a certificate. You will sign in both days. Be sure to return to the same place at the end of the Conference to pick up the certificate.

Schedule

What determined the conference events/schedule?

For ten years, the Pilgrim Center of Hope, in partnership with the Marian Center of San Antonio, organized the annual Marian Conferences from 1990-2000. The schedule, number of speakers, prayer services, and time allowed for breaks of the Catholic Women’s Conference, founded in 2002, is created according to past experience and comments from previous attendees.

Will there be a Mass?

Yes, however please note that our Mass on Saturday morning does not fulfill the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. For that, we recommend women to attend Saturday Vigil or Sunday Mass at their parish. Visitors to San Antonio, St. Joseph (Downtown) parish is nearby.

I noticed that the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered during the conference. Am I expected to go?

No, you do not have to go. It has been the experience in the past that offering Reconciliation has brought wonderful healing leading to a freedom that only Christ can give. There were cases where some women have not gone to Reconciliation in decades. Somehow God touched their hearts to go, and they found the healing and forgiveness that they so much needed. Reconciliation should be a beautiful, un-intimidating experience, a sacrament designed by God to let Him carry your heavy burdens. If you are unable to receive this Sacrament, you can always call your pastor or parish priest for an appointment for Confession. Trust that the Holy Spirit will guide you in this. No one will judge you if you do not go.

What kind of vendors will be at the conference?

This year we are offering a range of vendor choices specific to women and their interests. Some vendors may not accept credit cards, so please plan accordingly. If you are a vendor, please call (210) 521-3377 to obtain contact information for Nan Balfour, Conference Coordinator, with whom you may discuss your product/service for consideration. Please note that the focus of the Catholic Women's Conference is to encourage Catholic women to live and share their faith; products and services should reflect the dignity and value of women. It is our hope to provide the tools, resources and many other religious articles that help women become a disciple of Christ.