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Women at the Well

Reflect: You Are God's Beloved

Published 3 months ago • 5 min read
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Hello Reader,

This Sunday, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, bringing the Christmas season to a close and opening the door to ordinary time -- and to Jesus' public ministry.

In the Gospel, Jesus steps into the waters with the people. He prays. Heaven opens. The Spirit descends. And the Father speaks: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

Before Jesus teaches, serves, or sacrifices, He is first claimed in love.

As women, we often begin a new year thinking about what needs fixing, improving, or managing -- our homes, relationships, bodies, schedules, and spiritual lives. Yet this Gospel gently reminds us that our truest starting place is not striving but belonging.

Through our own baptism, we too are named:

  • Beloved Daughters
  • Seen and Known by God
  • Called not to earn His love, but to live from it

As we step into this new year, perhaps the invitation is not "What more should I do?" but rather "What would change if I truly believed I am God's beloved?"

THIS WEEK IN OUR WOMEN'S MINISTRY

  • Registration is open for the "Power of a Praying Mother" retreat that will be held in Gering, NE
  • Lenten Encounter Event Announcement - sign your parish up to host
  • Seasonal Book Pick for January
  • Launch of the St Photini Scholarship
  • January Prayer

May this year be rooted not in comparison or pressure, but in the quiet confidence of knowing who we are and whose we are.

Blessings,

Natalie & W@W Team

Power of a Praying Woman Retreat

There is one more opportunity to join us for retreat in 2026:

March 27-28

St Michael's in Central City, NE

This retreat will focus on the lives of Saints who were women and highlight Marian devotions that will guide us in praying for our families.

We would love to have you join us!!

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Lenten Encounter Event

On the Sunday before Ash Wednesday you can host this event at your parish.

On February 15th, the virtual guest speaker will go live at 7pm CT/ 6pm MT

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Lenten Virtual Guest Speaker

​Mallory Smyth is a Catholic Writer and Speaker. She currently has a podcast titled "The Gospel and ...." ​

She has written for Walking with Purpose and Endow in the past and her book "Rekindled" is our January book pick.

You can find out more about Mallory here
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Easter Book Pick

Living Easter: 50 Days to Practice Resurrection

by Laura Kelly Fanucci​

Living Easter will help you fulfill the vision of St. John Paul II, who said, “We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song!”

As the most significant season of the Church year, Easter deserves to be lived well and celebrated fully, and few voices speak more compellingly about Christian joy than Laura Kelly Fanucci, celebrated author and creator of The Holy Labor newsletter and the Mothering Spirit platform. “Living Easter celebrates joy itself as our Resurrection practice,” Fanucci writes. “Taking up joy as a daily discipline teaches us about feasting as a companion practice to fasting: an intentional sacred act that draws us closer to God."
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St Photini Scholarship: for young women discerning a call to religious life

Apply

Are you a young woman, ages 18–25, feeling called to explore a vocation in the religious life? We want to support you!

This scholarship provides encouragement and practical support as you take steps in your discernment journey. Whether you’re just beginning to explore your calling or have been discerning for some time,

Support

Young women who feel called to religious life often face financial barriers as they explore God’s invitation through retreats, discernment programs, and formation experiences. Your generosity helps remove those obstacles and offers encouragement at a pivotal moment in their faith journey.
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Blessings,

Natalie & Kristin

PO Box 132, Hays, KS 67601
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