What is 'Women of Bethany"? Women of Bethany is a woman-to-woman ministry within the Roman Catholic Church, providing spiritual support and encouragement for women in their journey as followers of Jesus Christ. Why Bethany? The Gospels tell us that Jesus went to Bethany to rest, to be refreshed and to enjoy time with friends.  It was a place of comfort and safety - a place of nourishment and renewal.  Women of Bethany offers such a place for women today. When and where did we begin? The ministry began in the Archdiocese of Ottawa in 1994, when a group of Catholic lay-women recognized the need for women to gather together, at a time and place set apart from the hectic pace of the world, to offer one another love, support and acceptance. How are we financed? Expenses are covered by fundraising and donations. What do we do? Women of Bethany brings together women, at all stages of their faith journey, to offer affirmation in their common vocation and identity as daughters of God.  The ministry does this through an annual Fall weekend retreat. Who serves in the ministry? Women of Bethany is led by a Core Team and supported by many other volunteers made up of women from Roman Catholic parishes within the Archdiocese of Ottawa, who commit themselves to serving their sisters in union with the vision of the ministry.