NCCW AFFILIATE HAPPENINGS

The St. Mary Magdalen Council of Catholic Women hosted their Annual Communion Mass and Breakfast on September 17, 2023.  They had more than 100 ladies attend and their own Knights of Columbus prepare and serve breakfast. At the breakfast, they hosted a shower for Life Choices Medical Clinic to benefit the mothers who choose to keep their babies instead of having an abortion. Some diocesan representatives spoke about the ministry of the Culture of Life Office and some representatives from Life Choices Medical Clinic spoke about the life-saving ministry of the clinic. This annual event serves as their membership drive to gain new members to the Council of Catholic Women.

On December 4, 2023, The Council of Catholic Women at Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa, TN, hosted an Advent by Candlelight service for all members of the parish. It began with a musical prelude, the reading of the 4 Sunday Gospels of Advent, a reflection of each Gospel by Fr. Pete Iorio (spiritual advisor) and concluded with The Benediction. The evening was set in a peaceful candlelight setting.

The Council of Catholic Women at Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa, TN, held a Baby Shower for our Blessed Mother Mary on December 12, 2023. Parishioners generously donated a truck full of diapers and wipes for the local Pregnancy Resource Center. A luncheon was held after attending mass for Our Lady of Guadelupe. Donations were delivered after the luncheon.

For our November gathering, the Council of Catholic Women of Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa, TN, welcomed speaker Cindy Chandler, Blount County’s program Director for Isaiah 117 House. They provide emotional and physical support for those awaiting foster care. Members generously supported their wish list and prayed for Isaiah 117 House to continue their mission. We Are Many Parts, We Are All One Body!

Members of the Greater Meriden Council of Catholic Women recently enjoyed a 10-day trip to Italy for the Padre Pio celebration.  Pictured in front of the Statue of Padre Pio are, L to R:  Olga Brandl, Susanne Sagaites, Fr David, Gloria Lopez, Wilma Ramos, and Elena Jones.

  For our General Meeting on October 10, 2023, we invited the Executive Director of Haven House as our speaker for Domestic Violence Awareness month. On their wish list were paper towels and laundry detergent in which CCW members generously donated. Patricia Forde, President of the Smoky Mt. Deanery also joined us for our gathering of food, prayers, fellowship, and a brief meeting.

On September 14th the Greater Meriden Council of Catholic Women sponsored a dinner to honor our new Spiritual Advisor, Father Dominic Anaeto, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish, and to present him with his Spiritual Advisor pin.  Pictured is Dr. Loretta Tomasiello, Co-President and Province Director of Hartford, Pat Stasiewski, Co-President and Fr. Dominic, showing his pin to the those attending.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist CCW hosted an all day  retreat on Saturday, August 19 in the Basilica’s Regina Coeli Hall. The retreat was called “Filling Your Life with God’s Love”. The retreat’s director was Carl McColman – a contemplative writer, retreat director and spiritual director. Mr.  McColman shared the many ways to pray and reflect on the many blessings in our life. Women from all over Georgia attended the retreat which was advertised in local church bulletins. It was a sold out event which proves that everyone who was able to attend wanted to fill their life with God’s love.  It was very well organized with prayer time, table discussions and delicious refreshments.

CCW Ladies and Spiritual Advisors attending the Province of Omaha annual meeting, July 2023. Blessed to have previous Province Directors participate in the 2023 annual Province meeting as well.