NCCW AFFILIATE HAPPENINGS

Embracing the Call to Holiness retreat was held March 8, at St. James the Greater Parish in Eau Claire, WI.  Many women from the diocese were present.  NCCW president, Beth Mahoney, emceed our day.  The main speaker was Marge Steinhage Fenelon; our final speaker was Christine Warloski, her conversation related to Everyday Women Disciples.  It was a joy to spend the day with other women who share the love of God. This event is made possible through donations from the LDCCW, local PCCWs and businesses.  After paying expenses half of the monies are given to parish youth programs through grants.

Members of the Holy Rosary Parish Council of Catholic Women gathered March 4th,  for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting. After the business portion of the meeting and a presentation by Lynn Balciar, a member of the Four-Parish Social Justice Committee, the birthday party started. March 4th, was not only the night for our meeting, but the ladies celebrated NCCW’s 105th birthday!  It was the perfect ending to the evening! “Wishing NCCW another successful year of uniting women in prayer, action, and service”

On March 10,  Our Lady of Fatima’s Council of Catholic Women in Alcoa, TN  held A Women’s Night of Reflection, Prayers, and Confession to prepare for Lent. The evening began with a Lenten talk by Fr. Adam Royal on prayer, work, and penance, following with confession and prayers. Our harpist, Kim Adamson, played beautiful liturgical music to set the tone for a spiritual evening.

All Catholic women living in the Cumberland Mountain Deanery, Diocese of Knoxville, TN were invited to an afternoon of Faith and Fun with Friends on January 26, 2025.  . The goal of Faith and Fun with Friends was to reach out to ALL Catholic women in the Deanery who have fallen away from the church, do not attend Mass, or are just not involved, whatever their reasons. Our focus was on creating an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive community for women: a safe space where women from diverse backgrounds came together to share their faith and meet new friends. Approximately 100 women enjoyed a prayer service, an inspiring talk on “A Sisterhood of Saints,” door prizes, refreshments including a hot chocolate bar, and the San Miguel Dancers with fun sprinkled throughout. This event was sponsored in cooperation with the Father Joe Brando Committee.

The Grand Rapids DCCW held its inaugural Golden Rose Award ceremony on Sunday, February 16th. We were hoping for 8 applicants but we actually received 16! We were very delighted that 12 young ladies were able to attend the event.  With a monetary donation from a local foundation, we were able to give the girls each a $125 voucher to use to attend our 2025 Province Convention, which will take place in Grand Rapids this April: REJOICING IN GLORIOUS HOPE. Participants also received a Golden Rose, Our Lady of Good Counsel Pin, a certificate, and a check for $100 from their home parish. We were thrilled with event and are hoping much fruit will come of it.

The St. Vincent CCW of Margate, Florida recently collected a significant donation of underwear for the Broward Partnership Homeless Shelter in Pompano Beach Florida.

Every February, the Women’s Guild of Saint Paul the Apostle hosts a fundraiser for the White Rose Women’s Center, featuring a silent auction and a baby supply drive. This year we raised $1,125 and filled an SUV with essential baby items. The Center’s Director shared updates and moving testimonials that brought many to tears. Based in Dallas, White Rose supports women facing unplanned pregnancies offering them resources and guidance, and empowering them to choose life for their babies.

St. Teresa Kolkata PCCW of West Salem, Wisconsin, along with religious education students and parents from the parish, joined together to make and distribute over 700 Valentines to homebound parishioners, and five nursing homes. This outreach has been an ongoing program for the past 10 years. One family contributed over 300 Valentines. St. Teresa’s  believes in following St. Valentines’ example of giving hearts to people to remind them of God’s love for them and Mother Teresa’s motto of doing small things with great love.

On February 16, Our Lady of Fatima’s Council of Catholic Women in Alcoa, TN recognized two ladies with a Golden Rose Award. Each exemplified the tenets of CCW with spirituality, leadership and service in their parish, diocese and community. This was our very first time to participate in this award and we were very pleased to honor some of our youth active in the parish and community.