SALT LAKE CITY — Hundreds of women from all over the state will gather for the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s Council of Catholic Women’s 97^th convention, which will be held April 18-19 at the Little America Hotel.
With the theme “Believe in the Eucharist: Blessed, Broken, Shared,” the convention’s program is designed to promote spiritual encounter and renewal. Singer-songwriter Maria Miller will be the keynote speaker.
Miller was the keynote speaker at last year’s National Council of Catholic Women's convention, and “she was so fresh and inspiring,” said Annette Pressley, president of the Salt Lake DCCW.  “A perfect blend of music – she has a beautiful voice and is an excellent musician – humor and storytelling used to share her message of God's love. She is particularly drawn to the life and works of Saint Therese of Lisieux, and it blends perfectly with her story.” 
The DCCW’s Call to Convention invitation states that Miller is a multifaceted artist and speaker who weaves music, humor and storytelling. At age 17 she was signed by Curb Records where she recorded the #1 Christian song “You’re not Alone.” She has been an opening act for the Backstreet Boys, the Wallflowers and has toured with Five for Fighting. She has also shared the stage with Mark Wahlberg, Andrea Bocelli and Aretha Franklin to perform for Pope Francis. 
Miller’s recently released second independent album, “The Way of Love,” was inspired by the life and teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux. At the convention, Miller will give a special musical presentation on the teaching of Saint Therese of Lisieux. She also will “contribute a moving addition during our Sunday morning Adoration,” Pressley said.
Among the speakers at the convention will be Carol Ruddell, who will present “Blessed, broken and shared – a life of sharing.” Ruddell is the administrator of crisis and suicide prevention programs for Utah’s Department of Health and Human Services. She was a teacher for 22 years, working primarily with deaf and blind students; 12 of those years were as the transition specialist at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. A St. Thomas More parishioner, Ruddell also is a member of the diocesan Commission for People with Disabilities and a lay ecclesial minister. 
Another presentation, on service, will be given by Mary Ellen Dworshak and Sr. Germaine Sarazzin D.C. Dworshak has been serving at the Ladies of Charity’s Center of Hope in North Salt Lake for 10 years, where she is the development director. Sr. Germaine has been a Daughter of Charity for 67 years and currently is a collaborator with the Ladies of Charity at the Center of Hope. 
Amy Kennedy will give a presentation on spirituality. Kennedy, who entered the Catholic Church in 2000, has been involved with the Council of Catholic Women at both the parish and national levels. She is a past president of her parish council and the current president of the National Council of Catholic Women. 
“Anyone attending the convention will be amazed at many opportunities to reflect and refresh and just have a great time: the engaging speakers that will give you something to think about, spiritually enlightening prayer services, Mass at the cathedral, Adoration, a memorial service for the women we have lost during the past year, and the very popular Woman of the Year Banquet with Bishop Solis as our guest, a fantastic opportunity to win a basket of goodies, and most of all a chance to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones,” Pressley said.
The traditional Woman of the Year banquet will be on Saturday night to honor the recipients from parishes and missions.
The convention is the only opportunity “that we as women of the Salt Lake City Diocesan Council of Catholic Women have to come together as one to share our ideas, become connected as one to live out our mission statement: To unite Catholic women's organizations and individual Catholic women in the State of Utah, the Diocese of Salt Lake City, in purpose, through support, empowerment and education in the areas of spirituality, leadership and service that responds with Christian values in the Church today,” Pressley said.
Extending an invitation to the community to participate in this year’s convention, Pressley said that “if you have not experienced the love and joy that comes from being a part of a Council of Catholic Women, I encourage you to do so. If you don't have one in your parish, we are happy to help you get started. You will never find a more supportive and prayerful group of women.”
The Salt Lake City Diocesan Council of Catholic Women 2026 Convention will be April 18-19 at the Little America Hotel, 500 Main St., Salt Lake City. The cost for the full convention, including the Women of the Year banquet, is $285. The cost for Saturday only, not including the banquet, is $130. The cost for Sunday only is $78. Tickets for the Women of the Year Banquet are $98.
        Seating for the Women of the Year banquet is pre-assigned and there will be no on-site banquet ticket sales.
            Registration deadline is March 15; a $20 late fee will be applied after this date. Visit http://www.dccwutah.org to register.