The Unmarried Catholic Women’s Retreat on Dec. 20 at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Orange Park was the start of a new ministry with the purpose of bringing unmarried Catholic women, single, divorced, separated or widowed, together and closer to God through Bible study.
A primary focus of the ministry will be on unmarried women of the Bible, such as Mary, who was a widow, the Samaritan woman, Mary Magdalene, and Naomi and Ruth.
According to Lawsikia Hodges, with the ministry, roughly 90 women attended the retreat where Bishop Erik Pohlmeier was the keynote speaker and talked about the Samaritan woman’s personal encounter with Jesus.
“After the bishop’s address we presented him with a supersized card and gift of thanks and gratitude for his attendance at the retreat,” Hodges said. “The card was signed by the 90 women who attended, five children, and many volunteers working behind the scenes to make the retreat successful.”
Although the kickoff event was hosted by St. Catherine of Siena Parish, women came from various parishes across the diocese to attend.
“This ministry will aim to reach unmarried Catholic women across the diocese,” Hodges said.
There were about 18 parishes represented, including one woman who drove from Gainesville with her three children, which according to Hodges, shows the need and the passion surrounding the ministry.
For more information about the ministry and how to get involved, email lawsikiahodges@att.net.
