Requested women's study program organized
Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published September 22, 2006
Detroit – Over the past three years, women who have attended the annual Archdiocese of Detroit Women's Conference have been left hungry for more spiritual enrichment.
And now they're getting more.
In response to request from conference-goers, the archdiocese this month is starting a program called Endow.
"It was written so often (in response forms at the women's conference) that we need more than just gathering once a year," says Mary DelPup, director for the office of evangelization, which oversees the women's conference each year. "Women really feel that sense of sisterhood to be so healing, so they need more."
Endow is an acronym for "Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women."
The program involves trained Catholic facilitators leading small study groups in eight-week sessions at various parishes. The groups will focus on the feminine person as created in God's image.
For reflection, the groups will examine the letter Pope John Paul II wrote to women in June 1995, and the 1988 apostolic letter Mulieris Dignitatem ("On the Dignity and Vocation of Women").
The program originated in the Archdiocese of Denver, and now is being picked up by more than a dozen other dioceses around the country and in Canada. So far in the Detroit area, 40 facilitators have been trained and will begin 14 study groups at parishes in all parts of the archdiocese.
Each group will be limited to 18 members. They will discuss such topics as human suffering, women in different stages of life and theology of the body, all in the context of modern culture.
Fr. John Riccardo, pastor of St. Anastasia Parish in Troy, is the spiritual director for the program locally.
DelPup says Endow will be held in the fall and spring, and it's meant for the woman in the pews – young or old, single or married.
"No one needs a theology degree to participate," she says.
Also, she adds, the program is ongoing study – meaning that from season to season, women will address different topics and gain new spiritual fruits. So far, many groups are filled for the fall term and organizers are expecting near capacity, which means that about 250 women will participate. Cost for the program is $60 to cover materials, though scholarships are available.
Endow courses begin at different times and days at different parishes. To learn more, visit www.endowonline.com or call (313) 237-5832.
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