(Left to right) Retreat speaker Olivia Watson Burke; organizers Linda Baird, Kelly Joiner, Jill Utley and Beth Hendrickson; and fellow speaker Sarah Lilly Malone are seen at the Feb. 8, Joy, Laughter, and Holiness Women’s Retreat in Morganfield. COURTESY OF BETH HENDRICKSON
Women’s retreat attendees learn to make God their foundation
BY BETH HENDRICKSON, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary.” (Isaiah 40:31)
As we enter the Jubilee Year of Hope, all who attended the Joy, Laughter, and Holiness Women’s Retreat on Feb. 8 had an opportunity through prayer, song, story and fellowship to soar on wings like eagles because they hope in the Lord and their strength was renewed.
As women arrived to St. Ann Parish Hall in Morganfield, you could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit dancing from one friend to the next, lifting spirits, rekindling old relationships, and sparking new ones. Guests were treated with a light breakfast and coffee to begin their day. Guests also had an opportunity to visit vendors this year: Pax Rosa, Louisville, Ky.; Saint Meinrad Books and Gifts, St. Meinrad, Ind.; Into the Deep, Owensboro, Ky.; Cursillo of the Diocese of Owensboro; Mother’s Gift Shop, Morganfield, Ky., and coffee provided by Iron Stein Coffee in Morganfield. Lunches were provided by OT’s Café in Dixon.
After opening prayer and music by Michelle Crider and Adam Guess, speaker Olivia Watson Burke began to share a chapter of her life with everyone. Olivia’s initial connection to Joy, Laughter, and Holiness began with her mother-in-law, Lisa Burke, who was one of the original team members to begin this retreat. Lisa, who died of cancer on Jan. 7, 2024, had opened the very first retreat in 2023 with her journey story and her relationship with Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Jackie Francois Angel serves as the keynote speaker for the Feb. 8, Joy, Laughter, and Holiness Women’s Retreat in Morganfield. COURTESY OF BETH HENDRICKSON
Olivia’s chapter was much deeper than the loss of her mother-in-law: her grandmother, Rose French died about a month later on Feb. 8, 2024; followed by the death of Olivia’s own mother, Cathy Watson, on March 3, 2024. Olivia shared her story of her own growth as a person – a story of how each of these important women, through their love, compassion, and faith in God, formed a strong foundation for Olivia to carry her into her chapters as a wife and a soon-to-be mother of Lisa Catherine (named after her mother-in-law, Lisa, and her mother Cathy).
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” The next speaker, Sarah Lilly Malone, said these words from the Serenity Prayer carry her through every moment of every day. Sarah shared many small chapters of her life, allowing all to peek into her life raising and homeschooling five children with her husband, Jarrod. Through laughter, through sorrows, through tears, through dancing, and through the many talents of her young family, the Serenity Prayer sustains her and provides her the strength she needs to be the wife and mom that God intended her to be.
The keynote speaker, Jackie Francois Angel, raising her five children with husband Bobby, shared a glimpse of her chapters of her life. Catholic musician, singer, songwriter, guitarist, speaker, and youth minister, Jackie helped guests dig deep into their own hearts, reminding all that the devil loves for us to keep things in the dark: she encouraged everyone to bring their wounds to the light to be healed by Jesus Christ. Referring to the book “Be Healed” by Bob Schuchts, Jackie reminded the guests of the various “roots of sin” (abandonment, shame, fear, powerlessness, hopelessness, rejection, and confusion), breaking each one down to allow guests to reflect on their own journey.
Guests were also reminded of some of the three most important prayers to seek Jesus’ aid: Calling out the name of Jesus, for he will come to your aid; the rosary, a powerful sword; and “Come Holy Spirit.” Jackie reassured everyone that the devil has no power over us. We are all called to be a light to the world.
Originally printed in the March 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
