St. Angela Merici women let the ‘spirit’ flow

The Holy Spirit was making a noise so loud in the hearts of several St. Angela Merici female parishioners that they had to act on the message of igniting women’s spirituality.

Jenn Lormand was one of them. She saw how “That Man Is You!” had challenged her husband Greg to be a spiritual leader of his family and community, and she began searching for something similar for women. (Greg is studying for the permanent diaconate in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.)

“I thought surely there must be a (ready-made) women’s program, but there wasn’t,” Lormand said.

At a St. Angela Parish couples’ retreat, Father Beau Charbonnet, pastor, invited her to start a new women’s faith group. Whatever she would start, she knew most didn’t have time for homework and that it would be a “place of refreshment” for women based on Scripture.

Started with 10 women
As Lormand began talking to other women, a diverse core group of 10 was formed last fall. Over the course of this summer, they created the framework for “Women on Fire,” an eight-week women’s program – held in the fall and spring – to build a “sisterhood” where women become better “daughters, sisters, wives, mothers and friends.” 

After presenting their initial program to each other, the core women fine-tuned it to include Catholic speakers, short videos and a well-thought-out outline with Bible-based discussion questions to help women learn from and uplift one another as their hearts become “on fire” for the Lord.

“It’s an organic movement that the Holy Spirit has been behind from the beginning, even selecting the core team,” Lormand said. 

Expecting 50 women initially, Women on Fire had to close registration at 175 women, with 35 remaining on the waiting list. Most are St. Angela parishioners.

“People are stopping me at Mass and telling me about the amazing experiences they are having in their small groups at their tables,” she said. Women are encouraged to meet new friends by being assigned to random table groups, all with names of female saints, where they remain for the entire session.

Attendee Pat Robichaux of St. Joan of Arc Parish in LaPlace heard about it from a friend. 

“I think it’s very interesting and very inspirational,” she said. “It guides you through Scripture. It’s marvelous to see this many women together.”

Essence is pope’s letter 

Women on Fire’s main content is based on Pope John Paul II’s “Letter to Women” from June 29, 1995, which was meant to promote the cause of women in the church and in today’s world. Lormand and her core team of Renee Boudreaux, Paige Bennett, Melanie Haydel, Lauren Biehl, Katie Boyer, Sandra Nuss, Jennifer Talbot, Emily Toras and Mignon Diaz found his letter so uplifting for women.

“It is just incredible and beautiful,” Lormand said. “It was his gratitude for what women are in the world. He talks a lot about identity and dignity and refers to women as helpers. … God never meant for women to be subordinate (to men). He meant for her to be a helper, like the Lord is our helper.”

Community, faith

Haydel, a table leader and assistant principal at St. Angela Merici School, used “community” and “faith” to describe the group. “And, at the same time, deepening our faith,” she said. “It’s been an awesome experience.” 

Recent speaker Jennifer Talbot, the youngest of four girls, discussed “Sisterhood” and said she was blessed with a biological sisterhood. She has cultivated many female friendships on the way to getting married at age 50 and now has two adult stepchildren, along with numerous nieces and friends she calls “sisters in Christ.”

She told the story of her close relationship with one of her sisters, who never complains or holds anger at her, even though as kids, she knocked all her teeth out accidentally when swinging a bat and had to endure many procedures to restore them. They share their faith, pray for each other and love each other unconditionally.

“I put her through so much, but she never got mad at me,” Talbot said. “She is always showing up for me. She increases my faith and changes my life daily. She is a true sister in Christ.”

Meet women where they are

Talbot said women have the opportunity to share sisterhood “by reflecting the image and likeness of Christ no matter where we are.”

She showed a short film clip about a woman struggling in her marriage. Once she opened her heart about her struggles to her friends, support and suggestions flowed to save her marriage. Talbot directed women to the amazing female examples of sisterhood in the Bible such as Ruth and Naomi, and how, through them, God turned tragedy into triumph.

“We are called to build God-centered relationships with other women,” Talbot said.

Lormand says women are pulled in so many directions with their roles as mothers, wives and daughters and hopes Women on Fire could be a safe space where solace could be found through faith.

“The message that the world gives and the church gives are two different things,” Lormand said. “We wanted women to feel comfortable. It’s very peaceful and joyful.”

Father Charbonnet, pastor for 11 years, said “sisterhood” is the optimal word to describe the women’s series.

“Being spirit-filled, they will be even more open to what the spirit is directing each woman in her vocation in the parish and the world,” Father Charbonnet said. “It’s been exciting to see that more people are opening their hearts to what God is calling them to do.”

With the fall session of Women on Fire almost over, registration begins Dec. 1 for the spring session (with a limit of 150 women) at [email protected].

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