Flourish 2024: The Art of Being Human
We are in an identity crisis that is obscuring the truth of our dignity. In a world filled with increasing division, anxiety, and anger, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We can find ourselves unable to think clearly, afraid to sit with our thoughts, and avoiding difficult conversations. The consequence? We are left with a profound feeling of discontentment and disconnection.
These symptoms reveal something alarming—we have forgotten that we are created in God’s very image and likeness; that our purpose is to love and be loved.
But there is hope. Things can change. God doesn’t allow what He can’t redeem, and this weekend can be the start of something completely new. Come discover what it means to be authentically human. Join us as we explore God’s perspective on how to live more fully while finding hope in the circumstances that challenge us most.
Who?
Every woman. Whether you're encountering questions, doubts, struggles, and heartaches, or you're longing to love deeper, grasp onto hope, and increase your faith, this event is for you.
What?
Flourish 2024 Women’s Conference where women of all faith backgrounds are welcome. No need to have participated in a WWP Bible study.
When?
November 1-3, 2024
Where?
Hyatt Regency Dallas
300 Reunion Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75207
Room booking link.
Hotel know before you go information.
Lisa Brenninkmeyer
Lisa Brenninkmeyer is the founder and CEO of Walking with Purpose. A convert to Catholicism, Lisa created her first Bible study in 2002 out of a desire to see Catholic women come to know Christ personally. In 2008, Walking with Purpose became a fully independent non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status and a mission of helping every Catholic woman and girl in America open her heart to Jesus Christ. Today, more than 70,000 women, young women, and teen girls participate in WWP each year.
Lisa has authored 16 WWP Bible studies that have received an Imprimatur.
Lisa has been recognized by the Catholic Leadership Institute as a National Catholic Leader and was a presenter at the USCCB Convocation of Catholic Leaders. She has presented the unique model of WWP at national conferences throughout the country and has been a guest on a number of radio, television, and podcast shows as well.
Lisa holds a B.A. in psychology from St. Olaf College and is pursuing her master's degree in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. She and her husband Leo have seven children and five grandchildren and reside in St. Augustine, Florida.
Fr. John Riccardo
Fr. John Riccardo was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1996, where he served as a pastor for 15 years. In 2019, he founded ACTS XXIX and serves as the executive director. ACTS XXIX, a non-profit apostolate that exists because God wants His world back, unleashes the power of the gospel and equips ordained and lay leaders in order to mobilize the Church for mission.
Over the last four years, ACTS XXIX has been engaged in over a dozen dioceses and has ministered to more than 2,500 priests. Fr. John hosts a weekly podcast, You Were Born for This, and publishes a weekly article, “Thoughts From the Trailer.” He is the host of the radio program Christ is the Answer and has authored several books, including, Rescued: The Unexpected and Extraordinary News of the Gospel, which has given birth to The Rescue Project, an eight-week video experience intended to overwhelm a person with the power of the gospel, move that person to surrender to Jesus, and be mobilized for mission.
Fr. John is a graduate of the University of Michigan, the Gregorian University in Rome, and the Pope John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family. To learn more about ACTS XXIX, please visit www.actsxxix.org.
Sr. Josephine Garrett
Sr. Josephine was born and raised Baptist in Houston, Texas. She earned a bachelor’s in politics from the University of Dallas, and shortly thereafter entered the Catholic Church. Sr. Josephine served in the banking industry for 10 years as a vice president. In 2011, she began her religious formation with the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. She is a nationally certified and licensed counselor, specializing in trauma and the treatment of children and adolescents, and serves as a Catholic school counselor in Tyler, Texas. A board member of the Laboure Society and Life Teen, she is also the author of Hope: An Invitation and host of the Hope Stories podcast.
Sarah Kroger
Sarah Kroger has spent the last 10 years leading worship and sharing her music at a range of national and international concerts and events. She has released four albums: Your Time (2011), Hallelujah is Our Song (2013), Bloom (2019), and Light (2022). Sarah’s passion is to create a space in which people can encounter the heart of God in a profound way. When Sarah isn’t on the road, she lives in Nashville, TN, with her husband Dom.
Danielle M. Brown
Danielle M. Brown assists the U.S. bishops in addressing the Church’s mission in the context of race as it relates to the Great Commission. Also a lawyer, she is passionate about sharing the gospel, which she has done nationally and internationally. Before relocating to Washington, D.C., in May 2018, she served on several boards, commissions, and ministries in Lansing, Michigan. She has been an assistant deputy legal counsel to the Michigan governor and an appellate and administrative law judge in Michigan. She currently serves on the boards of Renewal Ministries and Benedictine College and GIVEN's advisory board.
Mary Guilfoyle
Mary Guilfoyle is a wife, mother, and happy-as-can-be grandmother of twin boys. After a life-changing encounter with Jesus while in college, Mary served Him in parish ministry most of her adult life. Upon returning to Sacred Heart Major Seminary to complete earlier studies, a cancer diagnosis enrolled her in far more advanced courses than she could have imagined. After a miraculous healing, Mary returned to parish ministry, serving as a director of evangelization and discipleship. Currently, Mary is a missionary with ACTS XXIX, cohosts the You Were Born for This Podcast with Fr. John Riccardo, and serves on the leadership team and is the lead for The Rescue Project.
Heather Khym
Heather Khym is the cohost of the internationally popular Abiding Together Podcast and author of Abide: A Pathway to Transformative Healing and Intimacy in Jesus. She and her husband, Jake, are the cofounders of Life Restoration Ministries, where she serves as director of vision and ministry for the British Columbia-based apostolate. She has more than twenty-five years of experience as a speaker and retreat leader, offering workshops and conferences in the United States and Canada. She attended Franciscan University of Steubenville, studying theology and catechetics. Heather is passionate about evangelization, discipleship, and creating an environment for people to have a personal encounter with God. She and Jake live with their three children in British Columbia, Canada.
Laura Phelps
Laura Phelps joined Walking with Purpose in 2016 after a personal encounter with Christ and an undeniable call on her heart to share her story with others. Relatable, honest, and often hilarious, Laura generously shares the pain of her life, offering you the hope and healing she has found through Jesus and Mary. Author of Victorious Secret: Everyday Battles And How To Win Them, and Sweet Cross: A Marian Guide To Suffering, Laura is on a personal mission to wake women up to the battle and to hold fast to the truth we try so hard to ignore: that there is no way around your cross, so you might as well embrace it.
Laura’s Our Sunday Visitor Innovative Talk, “How To Cope With Unjust Suffering” released in May 2022. She has been a guest on many radio shows and podcasts including The Katie McGrady Show and Danielle Bean’s Girlfriends.
Mallory Smyth
Mallory Smyth joined Walking with Purpose out of a deep desire to help women come to know Christ personally through the transforming power of His Word. She experienced a powerful conversion of heart in college when she came to know God personally through Scripture. Having worked with college students as a FOCUS missionary and now in women's ministry, it is her dream to see Catholics fall deeply in love with God and grab hold of the joy offered in the gospel.
Mallory has spoken around the nation including at conferences such as SEEK and FOCUS Greek conferences. She has been a guest on "Journey Home," EWTN's "Life on the Rock," "The Catholic Feminist," "Ave Explores," and a number of other podcasts and radio shows. Mallory has written Rekindled and three WWP Bible studies.
Friday, November 1
4–6 pm — Check-in
6:30 pm — Commencement
Saturday, November 2
9 am–4 pm — Main Sessions
7–9 pm — Main Sessions + Adoration
Sunday, November 3
8 am–Noon — Mass + Main Session
Noon — Event Wrap up
Note: Schedule subject to change.
What is the registration fee for Flourish 2024?
The event registration fee is $375 per person through May 31, 2024. Starting June 1, 2024, the registration fee is $425. This fee includes entrance to the sessions and one meal. The program begins on Friday evening and concludes on Sunday at noon. A partial attendance rate is not offered. The registration fee does not include lodging.
Are there group discounts if I register multiple people at once?
As our goal is to provide the most rewarding weekend at the lowest price for all attendees, group discounts are not available.
Can I register a group?
Yes, you can register multiple people at one time for the event. You will need the names and corresponding email addresses of each woman in your group to complete a group registration. Please be as accurate as possible with correct spellings of the name and email address information that is required.
Is my registration transferable?
No, your ticket to Flourish 2024 is not transferable. Before purchasing your tickets, ensure that the event dates don’t interfere with other personal calendar events as tickets are non-refundable as well.
What is the refund policy?
Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Will there be a waitlist?
No waitlist is available.
What is the deadline for registration?
Registration will close when capacity is reached. We anticipate tickets to sell out.
Do I need to be part of a WWP Bible study currently or in the past to attend?
No prior experience with WWP is necessary to join us for this special event. Women of all faith backgrounds are welcome.
What is the schedule?
The full weekend schedule will be shared in advance of the event. It includes the sessions, Mass, confession, and Eucharistic adoration.
Do I have to attend the entire weekend?
Due to the continuity of the event, it is important that all attendees experience Flourish 2024 in its entirety. Please do not register if you cannot attend all three days and two evenings of the event.
Will any sacraments be offered during the event?
Yes. We will offer the sacrament of Reconciliation. Mass with Eucharist will be celebrated.
What is the speaker lineup?
Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Fr. John Riccardo, Sr. Josephine Garrett, and more! Special guest Sarah Kroger is offering praise and worship music.
Will the event be live streamed or recorded?
No, this event will not be live streamed or recorded.
What are the accommodation options?
We have negotiated a room block for WWP attendees at the Hyatt Regency Dallas that will open on May 1, 2024, along with registration for the event. Book your room at the Hyatt Regency Dallas here.
What onsite parking is available at the Hyatt Regency Dallas?
Self-parking is $15 per day. Valet parking is $45 per day. Current rates are subject to change and all parking is on a space available basis.
What are the closest airports?
18 miles away: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
7 miles away: Dallas Love Field (DAL)
Are meals included?
One meal is included in the registration fee. The hotel offers options for food and beverages onsite, and there are several restaurants and cafes within a few minutes of the hotel for your convenience. More information on available restaurants can be found here.
I have special dietary needs. Will you support me?
Of course! Please complete the dietary restrictions form linked in your event registration confirmation email.
I need special assistance. Will you support me?
We are happy to help! Let us know ahead of time by contacting by emailing our Ministry Support team at support@walkingwithpurpose.com.
Will childcare be provided?
No, childcare will not be available for this event.
Will you have merchandise to purchase onsite at the event?
Yes! We will offer apparel, gift items, books, study guides, jewelry, and so much more! Purchases may be made throughout the weekend.
Is there a dress code or specific attire required?
Dress for comfort! You are certainly welcome to wear jeans and sneakers all weekend; however, dressier attire may be more desirable for Mass and Eucharistic adoration.
What about video / photography?
WWP reserves the right to use any photographs/video from any WWP event without the expressed written consent of those included in photos/video. Audio recording or video filming by event participants is prohibited.
Can I sponsor the event or participate as a vendor at the event?
For questions about sponsorship or being a vendor at Flourish 2024, please contact Kath Swanson at kathleen.swanson@walkingwithpurpose.com.
Do you offer scholarships to this event?
We do not offer scholarships to our event participants. Consider contacting your local parish, school, or Knights of Columbus to support your registration.
What if I have a question that is not answered in these FAQs?
No problem! Email us at support@walkingwithpurpose.com, and we are happy to assist you.
I cannot attend, but I would like to support WWP.
Thank you for your generosity in supporting our ministry. Click here to support WWP.
