THE PELICAN CRÈCHE

a miniature experience, brought to you by the Pelican Summit | “crèche” rhymes with “fresh”

NOVEMBER 7th, 2026 | 819 COMMERCIAL ST, ATCHISON, KS 66002

The Pelican Crèche is a subsequent, relevant, miniature version of the annual spring Pelican Summit, to be held each year in the fall at Memorial Hall in Atchison, KS (pictured in the background of this site page). This event is for young ladies age 13-18 and will begin at 8:00AM and end at 12:00PM on November 7th, 2026.

REGISTER FOR THE CRÈCHE

NOTE: You will be asked to complete attendee + guest information IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PAYMENT.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This event has been prepared for young ladies age 13-18.

    This being said, we are looking forward to an intergenerational experience that includes women of many vocations, ages, and stages of life. Each ticket purchased for a teen also admits one additional female guardian for free.

    If you are not a teen and are not coming as the “plus one” of an attending teen, you are welcome to purchase an “Adult Admission” ticket.

  • If you are not a teen and are not coming as the “plus one” of an attending teen, you are welcome to purchase an “Adult Admission” ticket.

    If you are attending as the “plus one” of an attending teen, you do not need to purchase a ticket.

  • Coffee, water, sparkling water, and snacks will all be available at the event.

    Lunch is not provided. We encourage you to either pack a lunch or support a local restaurant, and enjoy a beautiful fall afternoon in Atchison!

    Special thanks to Due Santi Coffee for keeping us caffeinated!

  • Teen Admission tickets are $35/ticket. Each purchase of a teen ticket admits one additional, optional adult female guardian for free.

    Teen Admission (SIBLING DISCOUNT) tickets are $27/ticket. Each purchase of a discounted teen ticket admits one additional, optional adult female guardian for free.

    Adult Admission tickets are $35/ticket. Adult admission tickets do not admit any additional attendees.

  • Yes! A discounted rate of $27/ticket is offered for teens who are attending alongside siblings.

    These discounted tickets still admit an additional, optional adult female guardian for free.

    If price is an obstacle to your attendance, please reach out to vmslayman@gmail.com.

  • St. Benedict’s Abbey has a regularly scheduled Mass that will take place at 12:10pm.

    Address: 1020 N 2nd St Abbey, Atchison, KS 66002

    From Memorial Hall, where the Crèche will take place, St. Benedict’s Abbey is a 6-minute drive.

  • Benedictine College is a short 6-minute drive away! A campus tour will be offered specifically for Pelican Crèche attendees in the early afternoon.

  • There is free street parking in front of Memorial Hall, and all along Commercial Street to the East.

  • Business casual with an emphasis on comfort. Your preferred combination. of Sunday Best + Interview Outfit + Academic Lecture + Jeans And A Cute Shirt. Please use this as an opportunity to dress up for fun!

  • The Pelican Crèche is a morning-long Catholic intellectual conference for young ladies age 13-18. It is a miniature, relevant, subsequent version of our spring women's conference: The Pelican Summit.

    The pelican is a traditional Catholic symbol used to portray a female pelican’s willingness to strike her breast to feed her young with her own blood in times of great distress. This symbol is profoundly impactful for Catholic women, who benefit greatly from a feminine, maternal image of the sacrifice that Christ offered, exemplified, and ultimately, has called each of us to.

    “Crèche” (rhymes with fresh) is a French word that refers to a group of adolescent pelicans who have left the nest but are not yet completely independent. The word is also often used to refer to a Nativity Scene or to a very particular style of education employed for young children in France.

Crèche Speakers

Leanne Jarvis | 2026 Keynote Speaker

From Eve To You: Hormonal Health For Your Whole Self

Leanne Jarvis is the founder of RoseFem, where she is passionate about helping women discover the beauty, wisdom, and strength of the feminine body through faith, science, and holistic care. Her passion for equipping young women to understand and care for the incredible gift of their bodies began through her studies in biology and nutrition, her years as a collegiate track and cross-country athlete, and her time journeying alongside college women as a FOCUS missionary. Today, Leanne walks with women through RoseFem’s hormone coaching and fertility awareness education and serves as a Patient Care Coordinator for FEMM. A California native, Leanne loves all things outdoors and now calls Denver, Colorado home, where she hits the mountain trails as often as possible.

Olivia Wieger | 2026

The Privilege of Being A Daughter

Olivia Wieger is a native Nebraskan who settled in the Sunflower State, where she attended St. James Academy and Benedictine College and spent summers camping, counseling, and serving on Blue Team at Camp Tekakwitha. Now a teacher at St. John Paul II Academy in Olathe, she is passionate about building community and collaborating with parents to foster human flourishing and integration in their children as citizens of this world who will also be citizens of the world to come. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology, a Master of Arts in Education, and certificates from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the Association Montessori Internationale, and the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education. Olivia currently divides her time between Kansas and Nebraska, where she delights in the joy of her vocation as daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Sister Nancy Rose Gucwa, O.S.B. | 2026

Learning On Life’s Journey To God

A native New Yorker, Sr. Nancy Rose Gucwa was a member of the first class that admitted women to the United States Military Academy at West Point. After graduation in 1980, she served on active duty at Ft. Bragg, NC, becoming jumpmaster qualified with over 32 jumps. After service both on active duty and in the Army Reserves, she retired as a lieutenant colonel. She later enjoyed a career in finance and banking. Heeding the call to religious life, she joined the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, MO in 2006. She currently serves as the Congregation’s Vocation Director and supports the daily liturgy as an organist.

Clare Hanson | 2026

Finding Meaning In Adversity

Clare Hanson is the head coach of the Benedictine College Women's Lacrosse team. In her first year as Head Coach, she led the Ravens to an NAIA National Championship, the first for the college in 55 years. She has since led the team to two additional National Championship titles and has been named the NAIA Coach of the Year twice, in both 2025 and 2026. As a student at Benedictine, Clare was a member of the inaugural women’s lacrosse team and a team captain in her junior and senior seasons. She earned earned a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and Social Science from Benedictine College in 2018 and a Master of Business Administration in 2021. A native of Hoyt, Kansas, Clare now lives in Atchison and enjoys reading, playing the guitar, and cooking.

Dr. Kristin Kalinowski | 2026

Cutting Through The Noise: Reflections From A Catholic Physician and Surgeon

Dr. Kalinowski is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist specializing in the treatment of endometriosis, abnormal bleeding, infertility, and other conditions. Dr. Kalinowski personally struggled with endometriosis for years prior to successful treatment making her especially passionate about sharing her expertise to help women understand their cycles and restore gynecologic health through medical and surgical treatments. Dr. Kalinowski earned her medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine and completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Mercy Hospital St. Louis. She then completed a one-year apprenticeship in advanced reproductive medicine and minimally invasive surgery at Veritas Fertility and Surgery. Dr. Kalinowski lives in St. Louis and enjoys spending time with her family, paddling the local rivers, and making music with friends.