Although it was a typically chilly Ballarat day in May, the sun shone and the friendly company, the welcoming conversations, excellent talks and hearty lunch contributed to a lively and hope-filled day for the 2024 Diocesan Conference of the Catholic Women’s League.

The Conference aimed to celebrate the history of women’s contribution to the life of the Church in Ballarat and to discern how the CWL in Ballarat might address the needs of people- particularly women and children in our region.

The Conference opened with a Mass and choral celebration of the Australian Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians.  Over thirty-five registrants, including new members and many other valued casual visitors joined us for lunch including: Bishop Paul Bird, members of one of the Cathedral choirs, Cathedral priests and members of various ministries and groups.

The Executive and Ballarat Cathedral community for the Conference and CWL members Colac, Ararat, Stawell, Dunkeld, Timboon and Cobden travelled to join the day.

Dr Samantha Fabry, the Ballarat Diocesan Archivist, gave an excellent presentation about the archivists who had preceded her (the first woman archivist in this role) with absorbing details about the importance of these figures in preserving the ecclesial and social history of this area.  In the afternoon the Conference considered it’s present and future mission – in conversation with Liz McCartin the Team Leader of Family Services at CatholicCare Ballarat of the complex plight of children and families.

Anna Krohn