Women’s Conference: Trusted Sister 2022

Dr. Helen Alvaré

Helen Alvaré is a Professor of Law at Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University, where she teaches Family Law, Law and Religion, and Property Law. She publishes on matters concerning marriage, parenting, non-marital households, and the First Amendment religion clauses. She is faculty advisor to the law school’s Civil Rights Law Journal, and the Latino/a Law Student Association, a Member of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life (Vatican City), a board member of Catholic Relief Services, a member of the Executive Committee of the AALS’  Section on Law and Religion, and an ABC news consultant. She cooperates with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations as a speaker and a delegate to various United Nations conferences concerning women and the family.

In addition to her books, and her publications in law reviews and other academic journals, Professor Alvaré publishes regularly in news outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, and CNN.com. She also speaks at academic and professional conferences in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Australia.

Prior to joining the faculty of Scalia Law, Professor Alvaré taught at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America; represented the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops before legislative bodies, academic audiences and the media; and was a litigation attorney for the Philadelphia law firm of Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young.

Professor Alvaré received her law degree from Cornell University School of Law and her master’s degree in Systematic Theology from the Catholic University of America.

Dr. Alvaré's presentation, "God with Us and Us Together", will provide the sociological, legal, and theological perspective on the current state of sisterhood and how this impacts us on the global scale.  She will then trace out some insights on the way forward toward a vibrant communal life.

Dr. Kenneth Flanagan, Ph.D., LCSW

Dr. Kenneth Flanagan is a licensed clinical social worker who has been provided counseling services for over 30 years. He received his MSW and Ph.D. from The Ohio State University and an undergraduate degree from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He primarily works with adults with a clinical focus on depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues and chronic pain. Dr. Flanagan has held a range of clinical and administrative positions in healthcare and community-based organizations. He also works as an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of North Dakota.

Dr. Flanagan's presentation, "Who Do You Say That I Am? Spiritual and Psychological Perspectives", will examine how this foundational human need for community is essential to flourishing on both the spiritual and psychological levels.

Amanda Vernon

Amanda Vernon is a full-time recording artist and author who has shared her music and faith across the U.S. and in six foreign countries, in venues as diverse as World Youth Day in Sydney and Madrid to singing the National Anthem at Lambeau Field for Monday Night Football. Amanda regularly releases new original songs, scripture reflections, and a podcast on her social media channels. Originally from the Midwest, Amanda resides in Phoenix, AZ with her husband and their four young children.

Amanda's presentation, "Being in the Father's Gaze", will invite us to encounter anew the piercing look of love by which the heavenly Father is  forever holding us in being and guiding us to fullness of life.

Marcie Stokman

Marcie Stokman is founder and president of the international movement and book club the Well-Read Mom (WRM). With a passion for reading and motherhood, she writes and speaks to encourage women in a world of rising isolation, loneliness, and mental health issues. Through the power of reading together and reading well, Well-Read Moms across the country are finding friendships, meaning, and purpose through their shared reading experiences in their WRM book clubs.

Marcie has a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Nebraska, Kearney and Masters in Psychology from the Adler Institute in Chicago. Marcie’s passion for the power of deep reading to transform lives and communities is central to her concerns and activism. Her training as a clinical nurse practitioner in mental health gives her a keen ear for listening and engaging in problem-solving and encouraging women in finding their passion and purpose. As a homeschool mom for 25 years, Marcie co-founded a classical co-op for high school students, bringing families together to support each other in their vision for excellence in education and seeking truth, beauty and goodness through the Western classical tradition. Marcie and her husband Peter have seven children and eleven grandchildren and reside in Crosby, Minnesota.

Marcie's presentation, "Sisters, We Need Each Other: The Power of Reading and Sisterhood", will provide practical ways to build authentic and life-changing community with those around us.

The Vigil Project

The Vigil Project is a community of artists that collaborates to make music and resources for an authentic encounter with God and sincere prayer.  They write songs, make records, and shoot videos. They also develop written and recorded content to support group studies, music leaders, and people like you.

Visit their website ( thevigilproject.com) to learn more about them.

The Vigil Project will lead a powerful time of worship and adoration on Friday evening and will again assist us in worship at Mass on Saturday morning.