2021 ACCW CONFERENCE

By Sally McKinney
For The Catholic Week
ORANGE BEACH — The Baldwin Escambia Deanery of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women hosted the 85th annual convention this year in Orange Beach (Oct. 31 — Nov. 2). In addition to the Baldwin Deanery, the ACCW also includes Mobile, Montgomery and Dothan deaneries.
The theme for the event was “Hope Anchors the Soul” with emphasis on hope during these troubling times. 
A panel discussion “Lifeline to Hope” included panel members Rev. Msgr. William Skoneki, vicar general of the archdiocese; Brinda Martin, Crisis Counselor working with schools; Allison Moore, Director of the Jennifer Moor Peer Foundation and Alice Hall, retired school teacher.
The event concluded with a presentation by Gary Zimak who is recognized as the leading Catholic speaker on the topic of overcoming anxiety, the author of several books and a frequent speaker at parishes and conferences across the country.
The three-day program also included a welcome by Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon and a Monday Fun Night hosted by Daphne’s Christ the King Altar Society. The event was held at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Gulf Shores. Presentations were made by Fr. Victor Ingalls, Archdiocese of Mobile vocations director and Jim Brewer, a member of the Archdiocese of Mobile Permanent Diaconate program.
A handmade Swarovski Crystal Rosary was won by St. Joseph Catholic Church Altar Society member Mary Jane Marion. The special rosary was made by internationally acclaimed New Orleans artisan Winnie Calhoun and donated to the ACCW.