I had the pleasure of speaking at the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women's Advent Retreat this morning where I was asked to speak on how we can live as women of JOY! What an awesome topic!

Here's the Reader's Digest version of the talk:

You want to be joyful? Then follow in the footsteps of the Blessed Mother. Say "yes" to God and trust him. Prepare a place in your heart for Jesus to dwell and invite him in. Be a divine helper and share with another your story of how Christ changed your life. And, above all, love the Lord your God with all your heart and praise him with all your soul! You want your soul to magnify the Lord this Advent? Then let the JOY of Christ dwell in your heart and it will.

The morning was full of so many blessings. I was reconnected with a dear friend, and holy man, Fr. Steven Hoffman. I was reunited with women from around the archdiocese, some of whom I hadn't seen in years, some who knew me from a few years ago at the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute, some who knew me in high school, and some who knew me way back when shoulder pads and leg warmers were all the rage. (Yep, that would have been grade school.) I was welcomed by an amazing room of women on fire for their faith and I was inspired by the beautiful voices of the Schmitz Sisters. These lovely ladies have been singing together for over 70 years! (For the record, they started their singing careers very, very young. They made their big debut on the Arthur Godfrey show on May 13, 1957.) Today, they were a blessing to all as they sang "May You Always…"

As promised, here's the link to the beautiful print of Mary & Elizabeth at the Visitation, by Corby Eisbacher: Jump for Joy

Thanks ladies of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women! You are all such an inspiration to me! May God bless you abundantly this Christmas Season and always.

kelly wahlquist

How Does A Soul Magnify the Lord? With Pure JOY!