XXII Hispanic Women’s Retreat
Comes to San Francisco

San Francisco felt the presence of 300+ sisters in Christ September 4-9, 2009. Ladies from Mexico, Maryland, Chicago, Texas, Minnesota, and other parts of the country gathered to celebrate this year’s theme “Remember Me” (1 Samuel 1:11). Our guest speakers, Eva Delgado, Esther Alemán, and Athena Solis-Portillo, gave powerful messages that made our women reflect on how they want to be remembered.

Retreat founder Sylvia Corral has coordinated these annual Hispanic women’s events for 22 years. This year she turned over her position to Sister Rosie Davila of Corpus Christi, Texas. Sister Corral explained, “I am not leaving; I’m just going to be a co-pilot from now on.” She encouraged the women to support Rosie as they have supported her in the past, and she thanked God and them for allowing her to serve.

Grace Sanchez, new director of North American Women’s Ministries, was introduced. She visited with the ladies and answered their questions about our ministry.

The sisters from El Paso, Texas, unveiled their new ministry, OCEA (Operation Christ in Action, as translated into English). Its volunteer staff includes a psychologist, doctor, social worker, and several teachers. OCEA’s mission is to help cancer patients and women who have suffered domestic violence. It even alerts our young women on identifying abusive behavior in their boyfriends before they marry. Questions about this ministry should be directed to Sister Minerva Lopez at minervalopez25@yahoo.com.mx.

We invite you all to next year’s retreat, to be held in Baltimore, Maryland, September 3-6, 2010. Many have already registered, so don’t be left out!

— Sylvia Corral