Young Women of Grace® Retreat Coming to Lafayette, Louisiana

A full-day retreat, entitled "Get Spirit Savvy," will take place from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Lafayette. The day will be jam-packed with interactive hands-on activities and inspiring speakers who will help the girls to understand the gift of authentic femininity and how to use it to counter the twisted messages being aimed at them on social media and in popular entertainment.

Women of Grace® founder and president, Johnnette Williams, will be on hand to teach the girls what it means to be a daughter of God and why they need to "put on the armor of God" in order to withstand the pressures of today's society. Susan Brinkmann, OCDS and Mary Dillenback, co-authors of the Young Women of Grace®: Embrace Your Femininity study program will give young women the tools they need to protect their dignity and self-esteem from the abuses of the culture, and encourage them to look to Our Lady as the model of womanly strength and courage. Girls will also learn why an authentic personal connection with Jesus Christ is the most important relationship they'll ever have.

In addition to Mass, celebrated by Father Chris Decker, there will be an outdoor Rosary walk (weather permitting), hands-on crafts, games, and plenty of time for fun! "God gave women everything they need to stand tall in a world that is too often hostile to the dignity of women – we just need to learn how to use our gifts!" said Susan Brinkmann, OCDS. "I can't wait to introduce our teens to the power invested in them by their Creator. It's our hope that by the end of the day, they'll be fired-up and ready for whatever God has in store for them!"

The cost for the day is $65 and includes two meals and it is recommended, but not required, that the girls have completed the Young Women of Grace®: Embrace Your Femininity study program. All speakers are safe-environment certified.