WHEN WOMEN PRAY 2026

Saturday, October 3
St. Thomas More Catholic Church
51 Marketplace
Irvine, CA 92602

Join us at our 16th Annual When Women Pray event for a beautiful and uplifting morning of faith, prayer, and fellowship!

Welcome to When Women Pray 2026 – “Be an Instrument of His Peace”! This FREE in-person event is a wonderful opportunity for women to gather together and join hands and hearts as we unite together in prayer and thanksgiving!

Our keynote speaker is ValLimar Jansen – inspirational speaker, storyteller and recording artist! Please see her bio below.

You don’t want to miss this event so register now!

VOLUNTEER AT WHEN WOMEN PRAY

We are in need of help on the day of our event, October 3, with registration, set up, food and beverage service, selling opportunity tickets, clean up, and more! If you are able to serve two hours or more, please click on the button below to view volunteer opportunities and to sign up. Thank you and God bless!

ROSARY RESCUE PROJECT

Bring your extra rosaries, ring rosaries and decade rosaries and place them in the ROSARY RESCUE basket near the Registration table. The rosaries will be cleaned and re-packaged and sent to the Catholic missions in Mexico, Uganda and Ghana.  Thank you!

We are thrilled to partner with the Life Center of Santa Ana again this year. Please consider supporting their organization by donating any of the following items. Donations can be dropped off at the Life Center of Santa Ana table at our event. Thank you for your generosity!

– diaper bags
-Baby Hygiene (lotion, shampoo, diaper rash cream)
– baby nail kits
– baby and toddler hard books
– baby rattle
– baby teething toys
– toddler cups
– baby bottles
– baby sleep sacks
– wash cloths/hooded towels
– baby safe stuffed animals
– receiving blankets
– diapers sizes 4, 5, 6
– baby clothing, all sizes
– gift cards (Amazon, Walmart, Gas)

SPECIAL RAFFLE – WIN A BEAUTIFUL LA PIETÀ STATUE!

This year, we are excited to offer a special raffle for your chance to win a beautiful La Pietà statue, blessed by Pope Leo!

Standing approximately 10 inches tall, this exquisite statue is handcrafted in Italy and elegantly finished with a bronze coating. A beautiful reminder of faith, love, and Christ’s mercy, it makes a meaningful addition to any home or a truly special gift for someone you love.

Raffle tickets are $20 each and may be purchased on the day of the event or after all STM Masses on:

• September 19–20
• September 26–27

Payment accepted: Cash, check, or debit card only.

The drawing will take place at St. Thomas More Catholic Church on October 3, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. The winner does not need to be present and will be notified by phone or email. Winner must pick up prize at St. Thomas More Catholic Church (51 Marketplace, Irvine, CA 92602).

Don’t miss your chance to take home this beautiful and meaningful expression of faith!

Disclaimer/Rules

• Open to legal residents 18 years or older.
• One winner will be drawn at random.
• Prize has no cash value and is non-transferable.
• St. Thomas More Catholic Church is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, illegible, or misdirected entries.
• By participating, you agree to these official rules.

WWP 2026 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Dr. ValLimar Jansen

BA degree, Theatre Arts (CSUSB—1990)
Master’s degree, Dramatic Art (UCSB—1992)
Doctorate, Christian Performing Arts (SGCSBC—2024)

Dr. ValLimar Jansen has sung and/or toured professionally throughout the United States, Canada, the UK, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Belgium, Panama, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Bonaire, Ghana, Israel, China, Singapore, and Japan.

Dr. Jansen played the role of Beneatha with the Broadway touring cast in the European premier of Raisin. She went on to co-author a one-woman musical about the life of Ethel Waters that received a special commendation from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Recently, ValLimar received the Kennedy Center Medallion for Excellence in Educational Theatre.

In 2023, Dr. Jansen performed in concert as a headliner at the iconic Carnegie Hall in New York City. She dedicated her performance to the six Black Catholics on the journey to sainthood. Fronting a 250-voice choir, ValLimar received the night’s only standing ovation for her performance.

In August of 2024, Dr. Jansen received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the National Council of Catholic Women. This honor recognizes how ValLimar’s life’s work aligns with the mission and goals of this distinguished organization.

In past years, she served as co-emcee for the USCCB’s gatherings of English-speaking pilgrims at World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, and was a prayer leader and concert artist at World Youth Day in Panama City, Panama. At the Loreto International Papal Event in Italy, Dr. Jansen and her husband, Frank Jansen, performed for over 400,000 people. The event was broadcast on Italian television, EWTN, and across the world.

With over 120 unique performances annually, Dr. Jansen has developed her signature blend of Scripture proclamation, reflection, music, costumed dramatic storytelling, prayer, and inspirational exhortation. She presents parish missions and conducts retreats for schools, parishes, dioceses, and retreat centers throughout the United States and Canada. ValLimar has produced and/or co-produced fifteen CDs and has nine published works. Drawing on her Bachelor of Arts in theatre arts, her Master of Arts in dramatic art, and her Doctorate in Christian performing arts, ValLimar is a playwright and storyteller. Regarded as an accomplished songwriter, she writes all her music in collaboration with her husband. ValLimar, her husband, and their supportive family live in Southern California.