March 5, 2025

My dear friends in Christ,

It is a joy for me to invite you to the Diocese of Worcester and to St. Joseph School in Webster, MA for the 2025 Worcester Catholic Women's Conference. The conference will offer you the privileged opportunity to learn more about your Catholic faith and the teachings, listen to the wisdom and testimonies of the conference speakers, partake in the Sacramental Life of the Church and enthusiastically spend time with women who are dedicated to the Catholic Church and who are eagerly committed to maturing in their faith and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and putting their faith into action. 

This year's conference speakers are faithful and distinguished speakers who have contributed to the life of the Catholic Church in important ways and who are uniquely suited for this year's theme "I Thirst for the Salvation of Souls".  This year's speakers include Fr. Denis Nakkeeran, an adjunct professor of Moral Theology at St. John's Seminary in Boston. Fr. Nakkeeran had a powerful conversion experience while on a retreat that gave him an opportunity to begin to better understand his faith and which supported his call to priesthood. Noelle Mering, a fellow at The Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. is a published author and editor who writes on culture, politics and religion along with being a white and mother of six. Tim Francis was brought up in a Catholic family and taught to attend Mass regularly. However, he went astray like many of our young adults while in college. After developing a cocaine addiction, his mother sent him a video tape that changed his life. He has spoken at previous conferences in the Diocese of Worcester and has had a profound impact on many lives. Adam Janke, Chief Operating Officer of Saint Paul Street Evangelization, has made appearances, giving numerous talks on evangelization and healing. And finally, a local family practice physician, Dr. Madeline Colon-Usowicz, has a devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe who is the patroness for this year's conference. The doctor has dedicated her medical practice to serving vulnerable populations while sharing her love of Jesus through Mary. 

Each of these distinguished speakers will provide you an opportunity to grow in your knowledge and commitment to Christ and his Church. I look forward to greeting you at the Worcester Catholic Women's Conference on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

With every prayerful best wish, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Robert J. McManus
Bishop of Worcester