The Dignity and Vocation of Women

Women’s retreat features keynote speaker, Sr. Mary Eucharista

Sr. Eucharista, program manager at the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center in Spokane, Wash., center, led a women's retreat held in Spirit Lake, Idaho May 17.  (Photo/Elizabeth Hersch)

Elizabeth Hersch

For the Idaho Catholic Register

On Saturday, May 17, in Spirit Lake, 33 women from parishes in North Idaho met for a beautiful day of reflection with Sr. Mary Eucharista, SMMC. 

The hall at St. Joseph Catholic Church was colorfully decorated to welcome women from St. Joseph, St. Stanislaus, St. George, St. Pius X, St. Thomas and even as far away as Northern California. 

The ladies enjoyed a light breakfast and had the opportunity to “meet and greet” before beginning the retreat, entitled, “Clothed with Splendor… Daughters of the King (Ps 45),” reflections on Pope Saint John Paul II’s apostolic letter on the Dignity and Vocation of Women (Aug 15, 1988). 

The day was broken into three sessions, featuring an enlightening question/answer period.  Sr. Mary Eucharista, program manager at the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center in Spokane, Wash. was asked to return this year after leading the North Idaho women’s retreat in 2024. 

She shared amusing anecdotes throughout the day, highlighting women's gifts – Receptivity, Maternity (the innate drive to nurture and protect), Generosity and Sensitivity. These feminine gifts reflect God’s work in our lives and bring us closer together in recognizing our calling to nurture and protect others. Sr. Mary Eucharista emphasized the significant role that women play, and have historically always played, in our church. A lively discussion of “What is a Woman” ensued, and laughter abounded. 

The ladies in attendance felt pampered and valued as they sat down to a beautiful luncheon, provided and served by the Knights of Columbus Council 15304 (St. Stanislaus in Rathdrum and St. Joseph in Spirit Lake). Guests enjoyed pulled pork sandwiches, with a variety of sides, and many delicious desserts. Each place setting also included a small gift bag with sweets, a religious charm and a special prayer card which read, “May Mary, Queen of Love, watch over women and their mission in service of humanity, of peace, of the spread of God’s Kingdom (Pope Saint John Paul II).” 

Members of the Knights of Columbus Council 15304 (St. Stanislaus in Rathdrum and St. Joseph in Spirit Lake) served a luncheon for the ladies during their retreat.  (Photo/Elizabeth Hersch)

After lunch, the assembly gathered in the church, where Sr. Mary Eucharista prepared the attendees for Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

Fr. Arogyam Madanu, Parochial Vicar for St. Joseph Chapel, presided over Adoration and provided opportunities for Confession. Some women in attendance had never experienced Adoration before and were profoundly moved by this beautiful devotional. Others said they were inspired to go to Confession for the first time in years. Returning to St. Joseph Hall, the retreat continued with the third session. 

Throughout the day, Sr. Mary Eucharista made many suggestions for individual reading, including books by Laura Doyle, “The Surrendered Wife, The Empowered Wife”, which had been explored during the 2024 retreat.

This extraordinary gathering of mothers, daughters, sisters and friends began at 9 a.m. and concluded at 3 p.m. Many stayed to chat afterwards, and among the comments were, “When is our next retreat?” and “Can we invite Sr. Mary Eucharista to speak again?” 

The retreat committee has already begun exploring dates and topics for next year and hopes to make this an annual event.