Johnnette Benkovic Celebrates Silver Anniversary in Catholic Media with a Unique Video Contest

Contact: Anne M. McGlone, 610-544-2468, anne@mcgloneassociates.com

PALM HARBOR, Fla., Feb. 16, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Returning to the Church after many years away can be difficult, awkward, even scary, but for some it turns into the adventure of a lifetime.

This was certainly the case with Johnnette Benkovic, founder of Living His Life Abundantly® Intl/Women of Grace® who was newly reverted to the Church in 1987 when she launched a 15 minute radio show on living the Catholic faith at a local station in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida. What she didn't know at the time was that this humble little show was the start an apostolate in Catholic communication that would eventually make her one of the most recognized Catholic TV personalities in the world.

On February 2, 2012, LHLA/Women of Grace celebrated its silver anniversary, marking that day 25 years ago when Johnnette first went on the air at WBVM. It was just a year later, while struggling to raise money to produce a video, when a friend put her in touch with Mother Angelica of EWTN, who generously offered use of her production facilities. While working on this project, Mother asked Johnnette to submit a proposal for a 13 week series on a topic of her choosing. This proposal eventually led to The Abundant Life, the longest consecutive series on EWTN to date next to Mother Angelica Live and a thriving apostolate now based in Oldsmar, Florida. Currently, Johnnette is executive producer and host of Women of Grace, a half-hour weekday show which discusses authentic femininity and living the truths of the Faith in everyday life.

In 2003, she launched a new apostolate of Living His Life
Abundantly®, Inc, known as Women of Grace® whose mission is to inform, instruct and inspire women by affirming them in their dignity and vocation as daughters of God and in their gift of authentic femininity™. This outreach uses the Women of Grace® Study Program, Women of Grace® radio and television programs, the Benedicta Leadership Institute® as well as life-changing conferences and retreats, and a dynamic new, interactive website. Through these means, Women of Grace® has helped tens of thousands of women discover how their feminine nature holds the key to real fulfillment and lasting peace.

"Gratitude fills my heart as I look back over the past 25 years. They demonstrate the marvel and the wonder of a God who truly does the impossible and uses the small things of the earth to proclaim His marvelous deeds," Johnnette said. "If it be His will and with His divine assistance, I pray the next 25 years will bring even more souls into knowledge and love of Him."

To celebrate this important milestone, the ministry is sponsoring the "Share the Grace" video contest which runs from Feb. 8 to March 16 and is open to anyone over the age of 18 who wants to share how Women of Grace has impacted their life. Winners will be announced and prizes awarded on March 31.

"The mission of Living His Life Abundantly is even more poignant and necessary than it was 25 years ago," Johnnette said. "Through the grace of God we hope that many hearts are ignited with divine love via our programming and outreaches so that we can reclaim the culture of the day for Jesus Christ. Testimony and encouragement are powerful catalysts. Through the 'Share the Grace' video contest, participants have the opportunity to be a match that lights a holy fire in the hearts of others."

For more information about this dynamic apostolate, visit www.womenofgrace.com.