The school hall was transformed into a warm and welcoming environment with tables covered in cloths and flower arrangements, homemade breakfast items, and friendly faces Oct. 4, as approximately 60 women gathered at St. Rita School for reflections on ways women of all walks of life can nurture their own humanity and that of others.
“Being the heart can be exhausting,” said Malia Busekrus, school principal, in opening the conference and referring to women’s roles in family and society. “It’s easy to lose sight of our own need for care and formation. And that’s why today matters.”
Speakers included Helen Alvaré, professor of law at Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University; Edwina Maksym, a longtime former faculty member and dean of studies at Oakcrest School in Vienna; and Clare Morrell, fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington and author of “The Tech Exit.”
“We know that God is calling us to the more perfect realization of the radical biblical tasks to image him in the world,” Alvaré said.
“To understand that — contrary to the way the world presents it — the glass ceiling we need to break is not the floor of the C-suite. It’s not even the top floor of the diocese and chancery, for those who want to help the church,” she said. “It’s the ceiling of every building in the world, the ceiling that separates the visible from the invisible, the ceiling that obfuscates the divine sphere, which is to say, God’s will is that every woman in the world is called to reveal to the world the things about God that only she can.”
Morrell stressed that it is intentional parental engagement and active modeling by community members that will support children and young people in a digitally saturated culture. She reflected on the importance of building one’s own character and virtue and those of children to develop the human person.
“We’re claiming true human flourishing,” Morrell said. “This is the far greater task ahead of us, of which the tech exit is just the first, though important step, on this path to true joy and fulfillment.”
The theme of women nurturing themselves whatever their role and season in life — whether single, married, widowed, parents, grandparents or young adults — was central to the morning’s talks. It is a theme that is reflected in the motto for St. Rita School: “The soul of education is the education of the soul.”
“What we begin here will last forever,” Maksym said. “The better we develop our human person here, the happier we’ll be on earth and the more prepared we will be for heaven.”
“Women, wherever they labor, are charged to consecrate the world for Christ,” Alvarè said. Reflecting on vocation, and how it can change in each season and how to discern God’s will in opportunities, she said she has learned “(God’s) not your taskmaster, he’s your Father.”
Seeking God’s will, experiencing relationship with him, and discerning how to best love and nurture those around them, regardless of their roles and season in life was echoed by each of the speakers.
The retreat is part of a broader effort by St. Rita Church to provide ongoing faith formation to members of the parish and school. Led by Father Christopher Christensen, pastor, the church and school are working to expand formation opportunities for all parishioners and school families. Recent enrichment activities to develop family and community include a men’s conference this past spring, Heaven in Your Home workshops from Trinity House Community, and monthly podcasts and newsletters for school families. The parish is also planning additional community activities including increased youth activities, young adult gatherings, and monthly date nights for couples of all ages.
Attendees seemed to appreciate the sincerity and practicality of the talks.
“I have lots of food for thought to take home with me,” said Jillian Moser, one of the attendees, who helped arrange flowers before the event. “I love any opportunity that brings Catholic women together to discern our vocation. I’m always in the process of educating myself more.”
Goss is a freelancer in Arlington.
