Conference, now in its fourth year, is a 'spiritual reset' during Lent, organizer says; Meg Hunter-Kilmer to be keynote speaker
DETROIT — Women throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit are invited to take a break from the routine for a day of prayer, reflection and Christian sisterhood at the 2026 "Behold and Be Held" conference on Saturday, March 7, at the Marygrove Conservancy in Detroit.
An estimated 250 to 300 women are expected to attend the conference, now in its fourth year, which began when organizers saw a need for a conference that brings together women from different parts of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
“This started in a backyard around a bonfire with a couple of other women who felt there was a need for events that brought women together and gave space to connect and reflect,” Danielle Center, one of the conference organizers, told Detroit Catholic. “We had a vision for a particular kind of event, maybe for the young adult population, but then God really blew us away, and all kinds of people and ages came, from, like, young moms with their babies to college-age girls to grandmas and people who are widows. It’s a really beautiful day with all kinds of generations represented.”
Registration begins at 8 a.m. with Mass at 9 a.m. followed by keynote speaker Meg Hunter-Kilmer sharing her insights about Scripture and the saints — particularly Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, whose feast day will be the day of the conference.
The conference will also have time for sharing faith experiences and short storytelling in the afternoon, followed by a talk from Fr. John Riccardo and time for Eucharistic adoration.
“I always do a survey at the end of every year, and one thing that comes out in last year’s survey is that women really wanted more time to connect with each other,” Center said. “So we’re doing this thing called ‘Team Time,’ where people get to really invest in the relationships of those around them as well. I think that’s going to bring a lot of value to the day.”
Center said most women’s events are parish-based, so Behold and Be Held is a chance to connect with women from different parishes and regions in the archdiocese.
“Sometimes, you’ll see someone who is plugged in at their parish, but maybe their parish doesn’t have, say, a young mom ministry, or maybe they’re the only woman in their OCIA class,” Center said. “This is a time for people to get together and experience the larger Church, and I think that’s a really positive and powerful experience for people.”
Center said she was inspired to call the conference Behold and Be Held after receiving inspiration from a retreat and seeing the conference as a chance to reconnect with God and reconnect with fellow disciples.
“This is what I’ve always thought makes the most sense when you have a connection on two spaces, a connection with God and then a connection with each other,” Center said. “So we have 'Behold and Be Held,' and in this experience, beholding the presence of God, especially in the Eucharist, and then being held by Him and by each other. I wanted this to always be a day of encouragement and support for women.”
Registration for the conference is $55, which includes lunch, and scholarships are available for those who need financial assistance.
Having the conference take place in the middle of Lent is a chance to steer one’s attention toward God, Center said.
“If you’ve ever been in a canoe and you’re trying to go across a lake, the easiest way to do that is to pick a point across the lake, maybe a very tall tree, something you see, and you can aim for that thing to keep you on track,” Center said. “But if you get distracted by what’s going on around you and others, you’ll realize that you can get off track a little bit with your canoe.
“I feel like these retreat days, these moments are good for redirecting your life a little bit,” Center added. “It’s finding joy entering into prayer again, going a little bit deeper with God, reflecting on yourself, where you are in your journey and what God’s calling you to in this moment.”
Center said over the three years of the conference, women have told her time and again how rejuvenating it has been, connecting with other women, even for women who don’t normally attend spiritual retreats and conferences.
“If you’ve never tried this before and you’re on the fence about going, just know this is a fun one to come to and, while I’m biased, I think my committee that’s organizing this is a lot of fun,” Center said. “We’re the type who have tried different things in different spaces, and from the feedback from our surveys, take what people love and switch up things that people don’t like, so it’s a friendly crowd, a welcoming crowd, and we just try to have a lot of fun.
“There’s space for everyone at this event, whether they are new to the faith or familiar with faith,” Center said. “We try to make it a day that feels approachable, welcoming and encouraging.”
