On Saturday, Feb. 24, Catholic Women of Buffalo will present their third-annual conference. This year's conference, "The Heart of a Woman," will be held at Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda, starting at 7:30 a.m., with registration and continental breakfast. It will also include three speakers.

Sister Tatum McWhirter is a consecrated member of the Apostles of the Interior Life in College Station, Texas, and teaches on discernment according to Ignatian spirituality. You can learn more about her at https://aggiecatholic.org/avi.

Our second speaker, Kate Wicker, is a wife, mom of five, perfectionist in recovery, and author of "Getting Past Perfect: How to Find Joy and Grace in the Messiness of Motherhood," and "Weightless: Making Peace with Your Body." Find out more about Wicker at katewicker.com.

Last, but by no means least, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Janet E. Smith, who holds the Father Michael J. McGivney Chair of Life Ethics at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. She is an author, editor and consulter to the Pontifical Council on the Family. To learn more about Smith, go to janetsmith.org.  

In addition to the wonderful speakers, confession and adoration will be available throughout the day. Bishop Richard J. Malone will offer Mass at 2 p.m. to conclude this tremendous day of renewal and refreshment.

Last year, hundreds of women attended. I was blessed enough to be one of them. During the busyness of life, it was a pure gift to set aside this day to rejuvenate my spirit with my sisters in Christ, listening to and learning from vibrant speakers, going to Mass and confession, and just sharing some food and friendship with ladies I don't see enough of in the course of the year.

The mission of CWOB Inc., is to encourage Catholic women who, "every day, are struggling to maintain a healthy balance while living in the secular world, all for the glory of God." Why not give yourself (or your wife, mother, sister or friend) the great and necessary gift of time apart? Volunteers are needed and appreciated, and vendor spaces are still available. Tickets are $35, which includes continental breakfast and Panera lunch.

For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.catholicwomenofbuffalo.org or call 716-222-0622.