About Maryland Catholic Women's Conference
What is the Maryland Catholic Women's Conference?
The Maryland Catholic Women’s Conference (MCWC) is a non-profit organization committed to give witness to our faith in Christ and His Holy Church, and to affirm our dignity as women and daughters of God. Our goal is to humbly seek the Lord the Light of the World (Jn. 8:12), to illuminate our lives, families, parishes, and the world through liturgy, education and formation, prayer, evangelization and service to those in need. We accomplish our goal by hosting an annual day-long conference for Catholic women from across the state.
We are a volunteer organization made up of faithful Catholic women. We are daughters, wives, mothers, sisters and friends. We are focused on planning an annual event for Catholic women in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the state of Maryland and surrounding areas to come together in worship, faith and fellowship.
The Maryland Catholic Women’s Conference (MCWC) is committed to give witness to our faith in Christ and His Holy Church, and to affirm our dignity as women and daughters of God. Our goal is to humbly seek the Lord the Light of the World (Jn. 8:12), to illuminate our lives, families, parishes, and the world through liturgy, education and formation, prayer, evangelization and service to those in need.
Our History
In 2007, Jeanne Link was in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in the Adoration Chapel of her home parish, St. John’s Church in Westminster. She asked, “Jesus, what do you need from me now?” The answer she received was clear: an Archdiocesan-wide women’s conference rooted in worship, prayer, inspiring speakers, and fellowship.
With the help of a dedicated team of committee chairs and volunteers, the first Maryland Catholic Women’s Conference was held in 2009 at St. John’s in Westminster. The two-day event was supported by the group’s advisor and spiritual director, Msgr. Art Valenzano. Friday evening included fellowship, a teaching Mass, a Catholic comedian, the Rosary, and Adoration. Saturday featured Mass, two keynote speakers, and 20 breakout sessions. Two hundred seventy-eight women attended from across Maryland and four nearby states.
After three years at St. John’s, the event moved to Mount St. Mary’s University, becoming a full weekend retreat from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. The expanded format included fellowship, music, Reconciliation, Adoration, small-group discussions, nationally known speakers, and Sunday Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Baltimore.
After more than a decade of faithful leadership, Jeanne stepped down to discern her next calling. In 2018, Catherine Liberatore and Stephanie Clancy, inspired by their experience at the conference, stepped forward as co-chairs for the 2020 event. On October 24, 2020, nearly 200 women gathered at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fullerton for the “Made for JOY!” event.
On October 2, 2021, the conference returned to St. Joseph Fullerton for “Holy & Beloved.”
In 2022, the Given Institute offered a unique opportunity for Maryland Catholic women to explore the theme “The Gift Only You Can Give,” helping fill the gap as the conference discerned its next chapter.
In 2023, Julie Butler and Ana Farias co-chaired “Holy Women, Holy Lives” at St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park, MD. The event, focused on female saints, sold out with over 550 women in attendance and introduced the Maryland Catholic Woman of the Year Award.
In 2024, Julie and Ana continued as co-chairs alongside Ona Corkrin for “Joyful Journey: Exploring the Beatitudes,” held at St. Mark’s Church in Catonsville, again drawing over 550 women for a day of renewal and spiritual growth.
Looking ahead to 2025, Julie and Ana are transitioning leadership to Jackie Guidera and Autee Smyth, who will co-chair the conference at Immaculate Conception Church in Towson, MD. This year’s theme will be “Faith, Love, and Hope: The Path to Christ.”