Braving brisk weather and overcast skies, more than 800 women and a sprinkling of men gathered at the Wilshire Grand Hotel Nov. 22 for the 57th annual conference of the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women centering on the theme: "Hope for the world through prayer."

San Fernando Region religious education coordinator Lynn C. Lang, keynote speaker, described hope as "the virtue of the feet [where] you keep on walking in spite of everything." Repeating a bit of wisdom from her daughter, a business executive with four sons, Lang declared: "Women pray with their hands and feet. It is more than 'walk the talk' --- it is a kind of participatory prayer."

She recounted the patience of St. Monica whose prayers over a 17-year period convinced her son, Augustine (later a saint and Doctor of the Church) to repent of his immoral life and become baptized. "St. Monica prayed for St. Augustine; [she] used her feet and followed Augustine. She lived a good life, she gave good example," explained Lang.

According to Lang, St. Augustine said that he would have never reformed without the persistence of his mother. St. Monica's spiritual crusade on behalf of her son inspired St. Augustine to later write: "God loves each one of us as though there were only one of us to love." Lang emphasized that God's love and presence is revealed to us throughout our lives. "One of our challenges as people is to encounter God every day…we need to find our spiritual rhythm and dance with God."

Cardinal Roger Mahony, who presided at the liturgy following Lang's presentation, characterized the ACCW conference participants in his homily as "wonderful women leaders," working in parishes and organizations throughout the archdiocese. "I'm given great hope in all of you because you are those firm leaders…living out your commitments and discipleship with Jesus," he said.

The cardinal warned that challenges loom for disciples of Jesus in our present society. "We're going to see this constant attack of values," said Cardinal Mahony, who cited the recent passage of Proposition 71 (embryonic stem cell research) and the proposed assisted suicide California ballot initiative as examples of issues in opposition with church teaching.

"It is part of discipleship to be countercultural, because the whole Gospel is countercultural," said the cardinal. "It helps to know that we are not alone on this journey. We are not alone because the Lord Jesus Christ, Our Risen Savior, walks with us along this path. Not only does Jesus walk with us; we walk together. That's why we are fearless, we look ahead, and we go forward."

During the break before the luncheon, Jayne Quinn, principal of St. Charles Borromeo School in North Hollywood, said the event offered an opportunity to share stories with other women. "It's wonderful to gather with fellow women and network," said Quinn, who was attending with several women leaders from her parish.

Margaret Serpa from Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Claremont said the annual luncheon gave her a spiritual boost. "It's helpful to know our work was part of our prayer," said the mother of five grown children.