The History of the CCWC

A group of women, some of whom had never met before, came together to participate in a small group and study Johnette Benkovic’s Full of Grace Study Series. What initially brought these ladies together was a desire to learn more about and actively live their Catholic faith. Growing in friendship, they began to ask themselves how they could make a difference. There was already a growing Columbus Catholic Men’s Conference, but nothing for the women of the area. As the weeks went by, they felt called to start a small, local conference for women. The group began with the goals to bring women together and foster appreciation for the Catholic faith, Church and Sacraments. They also wanted to create an opportunity for fellowship with other women around the diocese that would extend beyond the day of the conference. That first group of ladies came to memorize Romans 8:28 as their inspiration: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God who are called according to His purpose.”

Through much prayer, discernment, and work, the Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference was born. The first conference was held at St. Andrew’s Church in Upper Arlington on February 16, 2008. Johnette Benkovic and Karen Reinhart were the first speakers. The reaction was incredibly positive and the conference continued to grow, eventually moving to the Ohio Expo Center where it continues today.

Throughout the years, we have been blessed to present such wonderful, nationally-known speakers as:

2026 – Mother Natalia, Meg Hunter Kilmer, Fr. John LoCoco, Sr. Mary Grace SV, and Rachel Muha.

2025 – Fr. John Riccardo, Mary Guilfoyle, Sr. Mercedes Torres, Carrie Daunt, Sarah Swafford, and Music by Andrea Thomas and the Vigil Project.

2024 – Fr. Tim Anastos, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Fr. John Burns, Claire Dwyer, Heather Khym, music by Marie Miller and emcee Jen Rice.

2023 – Danielle Bean, Fr. Michael Denk, Fr. Rob Galea, Paula Umana, music by Hannah Schaefer, emcee Debbie Georgianni.

2022 –Sr. Tracey Dugas, Lisa Brennikmeyer, Fr. Dave Pivonka, Janelle Foligno and music by Tori Harris

2020 – Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet, Fr. Donald Calloway MIC, Fr. Ubald Rugirangoga, Heidi Hess Saxton, Sr. Miriam James Heidland SOLT, Anna Mitchell and Music by Sarah Hart

2019 – Fr. Christopher Hartley, Colleen Mitchell, Sr. Faustina Maria Pia, SV, Magnus MacFarlane Barrow, and Music by Lori Ubowski and Out of Darkness

2018 – Lisa Hendey, Derya Little, Fr. Ignatius Mazanowski, Obianuju Ekeocha, Music by His Own

2017 – Jeff Cavins, Magnus MacFarlane Barrow, Kerri Caviziel, Fr. Matthias Thelen, Music by Taylor Tripodi

2016 – Jennifer Fulwiler, Fr Nathan Cromly, and Sonja Corbitt, music by Sarah Kroger

2015 – Dr Edward Sri, Emily Wilson, and Colleen Carroll Campbell

2014 – Sr. Miriam James, Kimberly Hahn, and Rebecca Dussault

2013 – Fr. Leo Patalinghug, Suzanne Fowler, and Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

2012 – Leah Darrow, Yvonne Florczak-Seeman, Gloria Anson, and Jenn Giroux

2011 – Teresa Tomeo, Dr Pia de Solenni, and Fr. Michael Gaitley

2010 – Dr Colleen Kelly Mast, Mother Assumpta Long, and Terri Palokovic (ENDOW)

2009 – Immaculee Ilibagiza and Sr. Rosalind Moss (now Mother Miriam of the Lamb of God)

2008 – Johnette Benkovic and Karen Reinhart

We pray that you will join us at the conference in fellowship and celebration of our Catholic faith. We also pray that you will bring your girlfriends, your sisters, your mothers, or those that the Holy Spirit has revealed for you to invite. In return, we ask that you might please say a prayer for the volunteers and women who work tirelessly to put on an event of this magnitude.

The mission of the Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference is to provide opportunities for women to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, to grow in their realization of their dignity as Catholic women and to strengthen their commitment to be a disciple of Christ.

The leadership of the first CCWC:

Patty Boll, Lisa Bruening, Nancy Cleland, Eileen Fantozzi, Michele Faehnle, Maria Gutierrez, Christina Klein, Marie Lessells, Amy Long, Lisa Schechter, Marisa Webb, Amy Wulf, Rosemary Finneran, Melissa Lentz, Monica Mack, Patty Myers, Margaret Schuman, Joyce Shea, Chrissy Wilson, and Joann Wilson.

The current board of the CCWC, Michele Ellis, Michele Faehnle, Karen Szolosi, and Michele Niklaus want to take this opportunity to recognize these women of the original leadership team, but also the hundreds of women that have made the conference possible throughout the years. Without our volunteers and host parishes (every two years we ask a parish to be our main source of volunteer resources), the conference would not happen. Thank you all for saying “YES!”