Women’s Welcome Weekend

Welcome Testimony

My name is Jocelyn Pedalino, and in 1991, I was invited to attend Welcome, formerly known as CRHP (Christ Renews His Parish). At that time in my life, I had hit rock bottom and desperately needed to be rescued. God knew exactly what I needed, even when I didn’t, and He opened the door and invited me to attend.

To this day, I’m not entirely sure why I said yes. I simply remember thinking that things couldn’t get any worse than they already were, so what did I have to lose? Little did I know that saying “yes” would become one of the most important decisions of my life.

I truly believe I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for Welcome. That weekend changed my life—it changed me in ways that words could never fully describe. I can say with complete certainty that I experienced God’s grace in a profound way and found the salvation, hope, and new life that I so desperately needed.

Since then, my life has been filled with a joy and fulfillment I could never have imagined. My journey has taught me that the closer I draw to Him, the more I experience His grace, His peace, and His unconditional love.

Through Welcome, God has also blessed me with lifelong friendships. I have met incredible women who share the same passion and love for our Lord. We have walked alongside one another through the highs and lows of life. When tragedy touches me or my family, they are among the first to surround us in prayer. And when life brings moments of joy and celebration, they are there to rejoice with us. These friendships have been one of the greatest blessings of this journey.

Since that first weekend in 1991, I have had the privilege of serving on multiple teams that present the Women’s Welcome Weekend Retreat. Each time I serve, I am reminded of the “yes” that changed my life so many years ago.

I will continue to serve for as long as God calls me to do so. Welcome was His invitation to me when I needed Him most, and now it is a blessing and privilege to be part of extending that same invitation to other women.

“After losing my father and moving far away from my family, I found myself searching for something I couldn’t quite put into words. When I found St. Raphael, I hoped I was ready to find my way back to the Church and to Christ. Welcome Weekend gave me more than I expected, it gave me a sense of belonging. I met wonderful people, grew deeper in my relationship with Christ, and began to feel that this was truly my parish and my community. Sometimes, finding your way back to God begins simply by finding where you belong.”

“The 2026 Women’s Welcome Weekend was a truly beautiful and meaningful experience. It gave me the opportunity to step away from the busyness of everyday life, open my heart more fully to God, and embrace His love and presence in a deeper way through our Catholic faith. Sharing this journey with such wonderful women reminded me of the power of faith, friendship, and community. I left feeling spiritually renewed, grateful, and inspired to continue growing closer to God.”

“I made my first Christ Renews His Parish weekend over 20 years ago. They have since changed the name to WELCOME and really, there could be no better name for this wonderful weekend experience. I had just moved to Florida when I was invited to attend the retreat weekend.  That decision, that YES, to God has changed my life forever. The weekend welcomed me into the church family and into a group of individuals who have supported me and loved me through every high and low in my life since. It has helped in my walk with God in so many ways and has kept my life centered on God and His will for me.  I cannot imagine my life without Welcome! If I could give a gift to anyone, especially someone who perhaps is unsure of their path at this time in their life, the gift I would give them is the gift of the WELCOME weekend.”

“I saw the announcement for the Women’s Welcome retreat in the pew, realized I was free that weekend, and thought, “What do I have to lose?” I went in with no expectations other than a desire to grow in my relationship with Christ, and I’m so glad I went. I’m grateful for the friendships I made and the ways the weekend deepened my faith. I would encourage any woman who is considering it to go—even if you don’t necessarily feel “called.” Maybe it simply shows up as curiosity. That’s what it was for me. Maybe the weekend will be life-changing, or maybe it will simply be a small stepping stone in your faith walk. Either way, I don’t think we ever regret saying yes to God. Give Him one weekend and see what He does with it.”