NCCW AFFILIATE HAPPENINGS

The Milwaukee Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (MACCW) sponsored an information and recruiting booth on November 16, at the 16th Annual Women of Christ Conference. More than 1,900 women from the Milwaukee area attended the event, gathering for a day of prayer, speakers, and spiritual growth opportunities. The conference culminated with a Liturgy celebrated by Archbishop Jerome Listecki.  Pictured here is Peggy Hamill, MACCW Pro-Life Liaison, greeting visitors to the MACCW booth and Barb Dickmann, the winner of our 2023 Raffle Basket, returning to the booth this year.  

The Torrington Council of Catholic Women of the Hartford Province had a Mass in December for their deceased members. The Mass was followed by a potluck luncheon. Geri Kogut, the Hartford Archdiocese CCW President & NCCW Service Commission Chair, spoke to the members. The TCCW also collected toys and donated them to the local office of Catholic Charities.”  

In celebration of the beginning of Advent and the Feast of St. Nicholas, the Sacred Heart CCW hosted a Parish Fellowship.  Following Mass, the Council provided lunch to over 100 parishioners, children’s St. Nicholas and Advent themed craft activities, as well as a showing of the animated Nativity movie, The Star.  The children were also surprised with a visit by St. Nicholas who distributed treat bags.

Lucille Brandner, Evelyn Lompa, and Jane Schiszik gathered recently to celebrate Evelyn Lompa’s 90th birthday! These ladies have a connection with one another through the Council of Catholic Women. Collectively they have been active with CCW for a total of 127 years having all served in their local parishes as well as at the Deanery, Diocesan and the Province level. Evelyn’s leadership with the Council of Catholic Women is what brought them together and they are still active in Council today. It is the women we meet and the relationships that are made that make the Council of Catholic Women so worthwhile!

At the December meeting of the Sacred Heart Council of Catholic Women, President Kris Brandner decided to change things up a bit. Ladies from the 4-Parish Community were invited for a lasagna potluck before the meeting. For a touch of some holiday fun after the business meeting, Amber Epperly, baker extraordinaire, provided an instructional program on cookie decorating. Each person received a box of 5 cut-out sugar cookies and 4 tubes of frosting. Amber’s decorating instructions and techniques produced some beautiful and tasty results!

GREEN BAY DIOCESAN COUNCIL CELBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY November 17th, 2024, marked the 100th Anniversary of the formation of the Green Bay Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. The Most Rev. Bishop Ricken celebrated Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, the same cathedral where 228 delegates assembled for Mass and an organizational meeting, Nov. 17, 1924! Bishop Ricken provided highlights of the GBDCCW’s accomplishments over the past 100 years. Also included for the first time was the Golden Rose Program honoring 5 young ladies for their exemplary leadership to their church and community. Attending the celebration: Past Province Directors: Rosalyn Bourgeois, Carol Brennan, Paula Freimuth, Current P.D. Jane Schiszik and P.D.- elect Diane Oakland.

Our Lady of Fatima CCW in Alcoa, TN held a diapers and wipes drive over the course of two weekends to help support their local Pregnancy Resource center. On December 10, a “Baby Shower for Mary” luncheon was held at The Olive Garden and the diapers and wipes were then delivered by CCW members to the Center.

For the fourth consecutive year, The Greater Meriden Council of Catholic Women has prepared and distributed over three hundred bags for distribution to Catholic residents in nursing homes. These bags containing small items like socks, scarves, rosaries and toiletries, bring joy and happiness to many who often feel alone and sad at this time of year. We want this tradition that we have started, to continue for years to come so that we can carry on with this mission of love.

St. Edward CCW of Minneota, MN recently shared a Sunday afternoon with the residents of our local assisted living and the apartments at the same location.  We began by decorating their rooms for Christmas if they were interested.  We provided the decorations with donations from our parishioners.  We followed decorating with homemade cookies and coffee.  To end our afternoon we played BINGO with the residents complete with prizes.  The smiles of both the residents served and those who did the serving certainly proved that this was a wonderful afternoon for all involved and helped everyone enjoy some Christmas spirit!