More than 350 women gathered at Holy Trinity Church in Louisville for the Archdiocese of Louisville Catholic Women’s Conference. The event brought together grandmothers, mothers, religious sisters, young adults, and teens for a day of spiritual talks and community.

Lisa Cotter, a Catholic speaker and author, delivered the keynote address. In her speech, Cotter reflected on the biblical story of Adam and Eve. “For no other reason than love, God created Adam and Eve, and he placed them in a garden. He placed them there so he could be with them. So he could walk with them. So he could spend time with them. Because all he ever wanted was to be with them,” Cotter said.

She explained that after Adam and Eve left the garden due to sin, God’s desire to be close to humanity continued. “From the moment that they left, God put into action his plan to win them back because all he wanted was to be with them,” she said.

Cotter discussed how this plan unfolds throughout the Old Testament and is revealed through Jesus Christ: “God’s plan to ‘win them back’ is unveiled throughout the Old Testament and revealed in Jesus, who ‘took on sin to reverse that separation so we can be together again’ in heaven.”

She emphasized that God remains present through the sacraments: “God comes to us, is with us, through the sacraments. The sacraments are where God breaks through the barriers of heaven to earth so he can touch us.” Cotter highlighted the Eucharist as a special example: “God loves us so much that he will hide himself in bread just so he can physically be with us,” she said. “This is how much our God loves you. This is how desperate he is to be that close to you, to touch you.”

The conference also featured opportunities for praise and worship, adoration, Mass, prayer ministry, confession, a panel discussion, shopping with local Catholic vendors, and connecting with local ministries.

Attendees shared their motivations for joining the event. Katie Cummings from St. Louis Bertrand Church registered early for what she described as an opportunity tailored for her as a working mother: “I was just excited to have something to do that was for me.” She added: “I think that anything that brings us together, especially as women, is helpful and important. This is a way to get out and meet other people.”

Meredith Holbrook attended alongside her mother Brandan Holbrook. Meredith said their faith was something they share: “Our faith is something that we share, and we just wanted to do this together.” She hoped for connection at the event: “It’s really nice to be surrounded by other Catholic people who share my religion because I don’t get that at school,” she said.