Thornwood, NY-  On Saturday, September 29,  nearly 40 Regnum Christi members from New York, Connecticut and New Jersey gathered for a day of integration and inspiration. The day began with a Mass for the feast of the Archangels, concelebrated by Fr. Edward Hopkins LC, section director for men and women, and Fr. Michael Brisson LC, local coordinator of apostolate for the tri-state area.  Three members of the Rye, NY community of consecrated women, Glory Darbellay, Siobhan O’Connor and Ally Wheeler, provided the music for the Mass.

Susan Toscani, a member of Regnum Christi for 17 years, gave the opening conference on the situation of Catholics in the world today and particularly in this society. She drew inspiration from the Pope’s recent meeting with the US bishops in January of this year, in which he highlighted that in the US we urgently need “engaged, articulate and well-formed Catholics” who are able to face the current secularism and threats to religious freedom “by proposing rational arguments in the public square.”  A lively workshop followed in which smaller groups discussed how they in their teams and sections are actually doing this and in what ways they could witness to their faith in their everyday life.

Following lunch, Fr. Edward Hopkins led a conference in which he encouraged the women to be aware of their unique gifts and to use them, becoming part of God’s solution to the problems and challenges they face.

The final conference was given by Glory Darbellay, who has worked in the tri-state area for over 10 years. Taking Pope Benedict’s words regarding the Year of Faith, she encouraged the audience to not be afraid of engaging others for Christ:“The first fixed mind-set that we have to change is thinking “I can’t change,” and the second fixed mind-set that we have to change is about other people. Have I written someone off? Christ tells us, ‘Judge not.’ ” 

By regions, the women also shared about the evangelization each member is currently involved in, which was an inspiration for all present.

Barbara Benvenga, current section assistant, remarked that, “the convention was a wonderful experience of coming together with old and new friends in the Lord to reflect on all God has done for us and our desire to respond with great love and generosity.”