Boston Catholic Women's Conference 2008

The following is the current list of Speakers for the Boston Catholics Women's Conference, which will be held this year at Conte Center at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA on Friday April 18, 2008. For more information on the event as well as a schedule of these speakers and how to attend please go to Boston Catholic.

Kimberly Hahn
• Renowned author, lecturer and Bible study leader, in addition to homeschooling her six children with her husband, Dr. Scott Hahn.
• Research Fellow and Secretary/Treasurer of The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. Has advanced degree in Theology.
• Her most recent book is Life Giving Love: Embracing God's Beautiful Design for Marriage (Servant, 2002). She is also the co-author with Scott Hahn of the best-selling Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism (Ignatius, 1994) and Catholic Education - Homeward Bound: A Guide to Home Schooling, written with Mary Hasson (Ignatius, 1996).
• In addition to her contributions to numerous books, dozens of her talks and Bible studies have been issued as popular audio cassettes, including "Dating and Courtship: A Catholic Perspective," and "Children: A Model for Family Growth."
• Has been the #1 requested speaker by attendees of the Boston Catholic Women’s Conference for the previous 2 years. We are grateful that this year’s Friday evening schedule allowed Mrs. Hahn on short notice to accept our invitation!

Patti Mansfield
• Patti Gallagher Mansfield was a participant in the February 1967 "Duquesne Weekend" which marked the beginning of the Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church. From the earliest days of the Renewal she has served as a leader through teaching, writing and pastoral ministry. Patti’s testimony has been widely published and she has been a speaker at conferences and retreats for laity and priests in the United States and around the world. She is a frequent guest on Ralph Martin’s television program, The Choices We Face.
• Patti has authored several books including: Proclaim His Marvelous Deeds, As By A New Pentecost: The Dramatic Beginning of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal with a Foreword by Cardinal Suenens and Magnificat: A Mother's Reflections on Mary. All are available through her ministry office.
• Patti is married to Al Mansfield, Coordinator of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans, Louisiana, and is the mother of four children. She and Al serve together in pastoral leadership of two weekly prayer meetings, the Holy Spirit Retreats and an annual Catholic Charismatic Conference. The Mansfields are Liaisons to the Archbishop of New Orleans for the Charismatic Renewal and are recipients of the Papal Medal, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For the Church and the Pope).
• Patti addressed Pope Benedict XVI on behalf of all ecclesial movements and new communities before a crowd of 400,000 people in St. Peter’s Square on the vigil of Pentecost, June 3, 2006.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap.
• Mass celebrant and homilist at 2008 Boston Catholic Men’s Conference.
• Archbishop of Boston since July 2003. Previously the Bishop of the dioceses of Fall River, Palm Beach and St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.
• 1st Cardinal to have a weekly blog: www.CardinalSeansBlog.org.
• Inspired and encouraged the founding of the Boston Catholic Men’s and Women’s Conferences.

Stacy McGovern
• Stacey McGovern was born and raised in Massachusetts and was graduated from Montrose School and Framingham State College. After graduation, she worked as an elementary school teacher, teaching third grade. Her career blossomed, as was evident when she was nominated twice for Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. Stacey soon married husband Jim McGovern. Returning from her honeymoon, she began to experience progressive hearing loss at 25. Doctors could not find any reason for the rapid deterioration of her hearing nor stop its progression.
• Just after her twenty-sixth birthday, her medical charts read “profoundly deafened adult.” Her journey through this tragic experience did not cause her to lose faith or turn away from God. In fact, quite the opposite occurred. Incredibly, she clung to God, through Jesus and Mary, and endured this painful time, which caused her many physical and emotional trials.• After five years of silence, Stacey opted for cochlear implant surgery and she soon returned to a world of sound. She successfully learned to hear via the implant through rehabilitation. Tragically, the next year found this mother learning to walk again after she and her young children survived a horrific accident.
• Stacey will share her experiences with sudden deafness, the comfort God brought to her through strangers, the strength she gained through her struggles, and the blessings He promised and delivered. Her story will demonstrate the power of prayer and patience and the importance of having faith in God’s plan, even when things seem impossible. Her deep faith serves as a model for women everywhere.
• Stacey has shared her experiences with others throughout New England and New Jersey and has written her story for several magazines. Stacey has been a guest speaker at many schools, churches, and conferences. She is also a Bionic Ear Association Volunteer for Advanced Bionics where she councils others who are considering cochlear implant surgery.
• Stacey, age 34, and her husband and three children reside in Holliston, where they are members of St. Mary’s Parish.