Endow Helps Catholic Women Rediscover Beauty and Dignity Through Study Groups

The Catholic apostolate is seeing a surge in interest as women seek authentic community and spiritual formation.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Endow, a Catholic apostolate that creates small-group gatherings for women to study church teachings, has seen a 40% increase in interest and participation since the election of Pope Leo, an American pontiff. The organization's latest study guide focuses on Pope St. John Paul II's 1999 Letter to Artists, helping women rediscover the importance of beauty, art, and culture as doorways to God. Endow's approach of reading texts aloud together, reflecting on discussion themes, and speaking honestly about living out their faith has resonated with women seeking authentic community and spiritual formation beyond the limits of social media and parish activities.

Why it matters

In an era marked by loneliness, social media isolation, and a perceived crisis of meaning in art and culture, Endow's mission to help women reconnect with the Church's teachings on beauty, dignity, and creativity is particularly timely. The organization's focus on small-group community and in-depth study of important Catholic documents aims to activate women into their vital role in the life of the Church and society.

The details

Endow, which stands for Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women, facilitates small-group gatherings where women read aloud, reflect on study themes, and discuss how to apply church teachings to their daily lives. Their latest publication guides women through Pope St. John Paul II's 1999 Letter to Artists, exploring questions of beauty, art, and culture's relationship to the divine. Endow's approach eschews weekly homework in favor of collaborative, discussion-based sessions that honor women's intellect and create space for authentic sharing.

  • Endow was founded 23 years ago in 2003.
  • Endow's latest study on John Paul II's Letter to Artists was published in 2026.

The players

Endow

A Catholic apostolate that creates small-group gatherings for women to study church teachings and rediscover the importance of beauty, art, and culture.

Pope St. John Paul II

The author of the 1999 Letter to Artists, which is the focus of Endow's latest study guide.

Annette Bergeon

The CEO of Endow who experienced a personal transformation through the organization's small-group model.

Terri Sue Monark

The Director of Content at Endow who speaks to the organization's mission of making important Catholic teachings accessible to women.

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What they’re saying

“There seems to be an assault on beauty in our culture. Art is getting ugly—think of urinals in museums or soulless buildings. We used to have gorgeous architecture and now so much feels chaotic and devoid of harmony.”

— Annette Bergeon, CEO of Endow (cruxnow.com)

“John Paul II in 1999 saw that beauty was becoming unimportant in our culture, in our society and that it seems that our modern culture only values utility. Once something is not useful anymore, then it has no value, whether that's a human person or a beautiful piece of art.”

— Annette Bergeon, CEO of Endow (cruxnow.com)

“Going right to the source, the women are hearing directly from the Church, from the popes. The culture is telling women one thing about what the Catholic Church is, especially in regards what the church thinks about women. When women hear the truth, they recognize it and it resonates deeply.”

— Terri Sue Monark, Director of Content, Endow (cruxnow.com)

What’s next

Endow plans to expand its study guides to reach more Catholic women, including a new program for young women preparing for their Quinceañera celebrations.

The takeaway

Endow's mission to help Catholic women rediscover the beauty, dignity, and creative potential of their faith through small-group study and discussion has taken on new urgency in an era marked by social isolation and a perceived crisis of meaning. By grounding women in the Church's teachings, Endow aims to activate them into their vital role in the life of the Church and society.