Written by Catholic Women Walking with Women Webinar Series
5 May 2026
The latest session in the Catholic Women Walking with Women: A Faith Journey Through Life’s Seasons webinar series explored the theme of Professional & Faith Life: Catholic Women in the Workplace, offering thoughtful reflection on the integration of faith, vocation, and professional life.
The event was introduced and hosted by Helen Burgess, Vice President of NBCW; Convenor of the Women in the Church Committee and Diocesan Link for Northampton Diocese. Helen welcomed participants and reflected on the purpose of the year-long webinar series: to accompany women in the realities and rhythms of everyday life, exploring how God walks with us through every season.
The session opened with the prayer of St Teresa of Avila, Christ Has No Body But Yours, setting the tone for an evening centred on discipleship through action, witness, and service.
Speakers
Dr Anne-Marie Drozdzeweski
Dr Anne-Marie Drozdzeweski, a palliative care doctor, wife, mother, and practising Catholic, shared moving reflections on hope in the workplace. Drawing from both her personal life and professional experience, Anne-Marie spoke about accompanying patients and families at the end of life, often when their worlds have been turned upside down.
She reflected on her family’s own experience of the loss of a younger sibling, describing how his baptism and continued presence within family memory shaped her understanding of faith, hope, and belonging. In her work, she supports patients through symptom control and holistic care, including spiritual care, helping people search for deeper meaning in times of suffering and uncertainty.
Anne-Marie spoke about moments of grace as well as “Gethsemane moments” in her work, where faith is tested and deepened. She also shared how the writings of author and poet Jan Richardson have been a source of spiritual nourishment and encouragement.
Marie Southall
Marie Southall, Director of Partnerships and Public Affairs for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, offered insight into her professional journey and her research on female lay leadership in Catholic institutions.
Marie reflected on working for many years in faith-based and Church organisations, often within male-dominated environments, and considered what this has meant for her as a woman in senior leadership. She spoke about the growing reliance on lay ministry within the Church as priestly vocations decline, posing the important question: “Why are there not more women in leadership roles?”
Drawing on her Senior Research Fellowship at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge, Marie discussed the concept of dual vocation, particularly as experienced by women: balancing vocation to career alongside marriage, family life, and often caring responsibilities.
Her talk explored the challenges women face in breaking through barriers to leadership, while also offering practical ways to encourage and promote women into positions of influence and responsibility within Catholic settings.
Discussion and Questions
A lively question-and-answer session followed, focusing on practical and spiritual challenges faced by women in professional life. Questions included:
- How can we authentically live out our faith in secular workplaces?
- Do women face unique ethical challenges when witnessing to Christ in professional settings?
- How can women of faith maintain work-life balance while nurturing their spiritual wellbeing?
Participants also contributed reflections and questions via the chat, including thoughtful contributions from the executive.
Closing
The evening concluded with a summary from Helen Burgess and a closing prayer, drawing together the themes of vocation, witness, leadership, and hope.
This session offered an encouraging and honest exploration of what it means to be a Catholic woman navigating professional life today, affirming the importance of faith, resilience, and the many ways women contribute to both Church and society.