What can women like Martha, Mary Magdalene, and Ruth — whose lives unfolded more than 2000 years ago — teach us today? And how should we go about reading the Bible?
These questions set the tone for Catholic Youth Parramatta’s gathering for women, At The Well: Fearless and Faithful, which was held on Friday 29 November at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre, Blacktown.
More than 20 women — many of them new faces — listened to an engaging panel discussion with Alison Ryan, a Mission Enhancement Team (MET) Facilitator; Eleanor Bonwick, from Catholic Youth Parramatta; and Sr Rebecca Sampang, a Schoenstatt Sister of Mary.
Moderated by MET Facilitator Rachael Kama, the panel explored how the narratives of women in the Bible challenge us and invite us to personal and spiritual growth, offering a blend of historical, theological and personal insights.
Participants engaging in discussion on the night. Image: Gelina Montierro/ Diocese of Parramatta
“Biblical narratives offer the wisdom of the full gamut of human experience, so there is great value in seeking out stories of different women that don’t reflect our lived experience, as well as comfort in finding something that rings true to us.” – Alison Ryan.
An evening of connection and reflection
The night opened with a warm atmosphere as attendees mingled over food and shared light-hearted conversations. This intentional start set the tone for an evening dedicated to fostering genuine connections and a sense of community before delving into the panel discussion.
The audience submitted questions for the panel, with one attendee asking, “Is the Bible anti-women?” — a question that led to a thoughtful discussion on the radical ways Jesus treated women, which break cultural norms and offer a new understanding of dignity and worth.
“The expressions of curiosity, shock, amazement and frustration from the audience were hard to hide, as the various questions were unpacked,” Eleanor said.
Panelists Eleanor Bonwick and Alison Ryan in discussion. Image: Gelina Montierro/ Diocese of Parramatta
Practical tools for Scripture
The event did more than bring women together — it empowered attendees to confidently explore Scripture with practical tips and tools.
Alison, known for her passion for Scripture and a self-professed ‘Bible nerd’, encouraged the women in the room to dive into the great stories of tradition with confidence. She suggested finding a translation of the Bible that best connects with them, such as the New Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition (NRSV-CE), the Jerusalem Bible, or the Good News Bible (GNB) Catholic Edition, or a version that includes commentaries and historical context for deeper understanding.
A journey of trust and transformation
Sr Olivia, a former competitive tennis professional turned Schoenstatt Sister of Mary, shared a powerful testimony of surrendering to God’s call. She said that although she had once desired the married vocation, God was calling her to another path.
“Through God’s mysterious ways, that only He can make possible, He led me to the realisation that there was more to being a spouse and a mother on the natural level,” she said.
“God was calling me to Himself — to receive Jesus Christ as the most beautiful spouse I could ever find, and to become a spiritual mother to more children than I could ever give birth to in the ordinary way.” – Sr Olivia
Faith and sisterhood in action
As the evening drew to a close, attendees left with a profound sense of unity.
“I hope the women who were there found a new desire to pick up a Bible more often and the confidence to dive into these great stories of our tradition — to be challenged by them and to be changed because of the challenge,” Alison said.
Events like these remind us of the richness of our shared faith and the transformative power of community. Catholic Youth Parramatta (CYP) continues to create these sacred spaces where women can explore their faith and discover the fearless and faithful examples in Scripture and one another.
(L-R) Rachel Kama, MET Facilitator, Sr Rebecca Sampang, a Schoenstatt Sister of Mary, Eleanor Bonwick, Catholic Youth Parramatta and Alison Ryan, MET Facilitator. Image: Gelina Montierro/ Diocese of Parramatta
Three ways to start your journey with Scripture
- Begin with Jesus’ story: The panelists emphasised starting with the Gospels, where you can discover how Jesus interacted with women and how His actions defied the cultural norms of His time.
- Ask questions: Don’t shy away from exploring Scripture with curiosity. Questions like, “What does this story tell me about God?” or “What wisdom can I take from this story that connects to my life?”
- Seek community: Share your journey with others. Events like At the Well provide a supportive space to discuss, reflect, and grow in faith together.
Inspired by these stories? Join CYP in 2025 for more At the Well gatherings, check out our events page, and stay connected via their Instagram @catholicyouthparra.
View images from the event here or below.
