NCCW AFFILIATE HAPPENINGS

CCW of VA/TN draws membership from southwest VA and northeast TN and uses the facilities at St. Anne Church in Bristol, VA for our meetings. We join together each month for spiritual reflection, fellowship, and outreach. In March, the CCW members joined together for our Lenten reflection. Nineteen members met to pray the Stations of the Cross. As part of our commitment to outreach members donated cleaning supplies to Bristol Faith in Action, a local ministerial organization.  This organization serves the community by providing help with utility bills, rent, and household commodities.

Mrs. Barbara Scott, a member of St. Boniface CCW in Springfield, GA, spoke about the history of Effingham County.  Barbara is a direct descendant of settlers to the county and is also a member of the Effingham Historical Society. She wore a traditional German dirndl. Effingham County was  developed in 1733 under the Treaty of Savannah and was originally established as St. Matthew Parish. One of the charities that St. Boniface CCW regularly contributes to is The Truetlen House – a non-profit home named after John Adam Truetlen (Georgia’s first Governor) that provides services for boys ages 10-21 in the Georgia Foster Care System.

Southwest Minnesota has a council of Catholic women (CCW) sponsored event that draws people from a three state area. Starting in 2015, the Tracy CCW began hosting a unique event that combines gardening and quilts. The event allows people to view beautiful gardens and quilts within a short driving distance from each other and end the afternoon with homemade pie from St. Mary’s. The pie project started 21 years ago and their pies are sold year-round. The event has been a huge success and the 2022 garden and quilt tour was even featured on an episode of Pioneer PBS’ “Prairie Yard and Garden”.

As long-time members found it difficult to attend meetings, we wanted to keep connected and honor them. Thus, the once-a-month Serendipity gatherings began. Held in members’ homes, each attendee brings a dish to the luncheon. They share life and are brought up to date on CCW Doings. This is a form of thank you, mentoring, and support to our members who have been supportive of CCW for years. The bonus is it is keeping them involved and young!   Submitted by Mary Ann Scotchie

Guardian Angel Parish CCW of Oran, MO developed a monthly calendar to pray for our priests in the Diocese of Springfield – Cape Girardeau.  The names of priests both living and deceased are listed on each day of the month.  Printed prayers are provided as a guide to pray for the priests on the date that they are listed.  Member Doris Eftink organized the program and provides a calendar for each month as it is prepared.  We encourage each PCCW in our Diocese to share this prayer calendar with their PCCW members and other parishioners to show our love and appreciation for our priests!

Last year, we began the Spiritual Adoption Program on Mother’s Day and celebrated the end of the program on February 4, 2023 with a baby shower at the Diocesan Center in Harrisburg. We celebrated the 52 babies that were saved! The HDCCW Community Concerns, Family and Legislative Commissions would like to thank those who participated in the program.

On Wednesday, February 15, 2023, women from across the state joined together to advocate at the State House. We toured the capitol, learned about the legislative process, met with Catholic legislators, including Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, spoke with our  elected officials, and watched the House debate H. 3447: the Human Life Protection Act, which was passed by the House on 2/16/23.    Submitted by Yvonne Pygatt, Chair Service Commission NCCW 

Holy Spirit CCW collected individually wrapped snacks. We made Valentines and Appreciation for service baskets for the Firestation and Police Precinct that serve our church.

St. Francis Xavier CCW’s December Service Project was to help the Skylark Crisis Pregnancy Center. We used money raised from the Fall Crafter’s Bazaar to purchase big ticket items; 3 car seats, 4 pack and plays, and one movable crib all brand new. The members were asked to bring smaller baby items to the meeting as if attending a baby shower. We filled a truck bed with baby supplies like onesies, diapers, wipes, towels, lotions, baby bottles, etc. Skylark is so thankful that our parish is helping to support their missions to help women, men, and children in our community.