St. Mark's CCW
Boise, ID
St. Mark’s CCW of Boise, Idaho participated in their first Box of Joy project. They put together 25 boxes. All of the ladies are looking forward to doing this project again next year!
Submitted 11/1/21 by Tracy Janis
St John XXII Parish
West Haven, CT
St John XXIII parish in West Haven, CT participated in the Box of Joy Project this year--great job ladies!
Submitted 11/9/21 by Maribeth Stewart Blogoslawski
Our Lady of Fatima CCW
Aloca, TN
Our Lady of Fatima CCW (Alcoa, TN) held our second Advent by Candlelight. Each of the Sunday Gospels from Advent was read followed by a reflection by Fr. Adam Royal (the Spiritual Advisor for OLOF CCW) and personal meditation/reflection/journaling.
Submitted 11/17/21 by Mary Cooper
Tulsa DCCW
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Diocesan Council of Catholic Women organized a collection of items for "The
Springs", a domestic violence and human trafficking shelter located in
Oklahoma.
Submitted 11/1/21 by Becky VanPool
North Platte Deanery
North Platte, NE
Faith Bouquets
During a recent meeting of the North Platte Deanery of the Grand Island Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Province of Omaha, the members joined together to make faith bouquets with fresh flowers. Each member was welcome to make one for themselves and then put one together to give to someone else in their community. Each flower had a special meaning to the person constructing the arrangement which they shared with the recipient of the second bouquet. It was a great time of fellowship for everyone attending. Deanery Moderator Fr. Lou Nollette explained that each good work we do is similar to a small pebble falling in a pond sending out ripples
Submitted 11/1/21 by Susan Johnson
Smoky Mountain Deanery
Knoxville, TN
The Smoky Mountain Deanery CCW in the Knoxville diocese had their fall general meeting on Saturday, October 30 at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville. The meeting, postponed one year because of the pandemic, was to celebrate the 100 + 1 anniversary of the founding of NCCW by the American Catholic Bishops in 1920. It was hosted by the ladies of Holy Ghost and Immaculate Conception.
The Deanery welcomed Maribeth Stewart Blogoslowski as their guest speaker after a brief information meeting. Maribeth spoke on “Responding to Our Call to Holiness” a presentation she originally made at the WUCWO North America Region Conference.
Submitted 11/1/21 by Michelle Peckham
St Raphael CCW
Raleigh, NC
It was a joyful day at St Raphael, Raleigh NC, as the women of the Council Of Catholic Women Of Raleigh ( Consejo de Mujeres Catolicas de Raleigh) congregated before Mass at the Mary Chapel on the feast day of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary to pray the Rosary. They were dressed up in their beautiful T-shirts with the face Our our Lady of Good Counsel, their Patroness. Some of the women also sang in the choir with their beautiful angelic voices. A special blessing was given to them by Fr Bruce with a message of perseverance. The women shared their testimonies and had pizza after Mass at the plaza.
Submitted 10/11/21 by Elizabeth Enoh
North Platte Deanery
North Platte, NE
Fr. Lou Nollette, the North Platte Deanery Spiritual Advisor and top individual participant in the 2021 Walk to Convention presented to deanery members how many miles he walked, bicycled, and prayed the rosary during the Walk to Convention, plus taking pledges and his donation to NCCW. He’s wearing the first place prize—the NCCW sweatshirt.
Submitted 10/18/21 by Susan Johnson
NCCW Service Commission
Columbia, SC
NCCW Service Commission Chair Yvonne Pygatt participates in the virtual Walk against Domestic Violence on Oct 9, 2021, sponsored by the Mayor of Columbia, SC.
Submitted 10/28/21 by Yvonne Pygatt
Harrisburg DCCW
Harrisburg, PA
While the effects of the past year remain, one thing is certain, the Council has remained strong. We have shown that not even a pandemic can keep us from continuing our mission. One of the components in Pope Francis’ Lexicon for Ministry is Periphery- to go forth from our comfort zone. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we can succeed and flourish when we go outside our comfort zone. In this “new normal”, we have seen a new era for Council.
Bishop Ronald Gainer, Bishop of Harrisburg has penned a letter proclaiming October as “Council Month” in the Diocese of Harrisburg.
Submitted 9/17/21 by Alycia Laureti
Harrisburg DCCW
Harrisburg, PA
Diocesan CCW adopts NCCW Our Lady of Good Counsel Award
Mary Ellen Good, is the 2021 recipient of the HDCCW Our Lady of Good Counsel Award. Mary Ellen has demonstrated much generosity and support by serving in many capacities of leadership in the Council both on the local level and the district level. She is a member of St. Vincent De Paul Church.
Pictured (l--r): HDCCW President, Alycia Laureti, Mary Ellen Good, & Bishop Ronald Gainer
Submitted 9/17/21 by Alycia Laureti
Peoria DCCW
Magnolia, IL
The Peoria DCCW board met at the Sacre Coure retreat center in Magnolia, Illinois. Immediate Past President Jean Kelly was invited for a question and answer session. Province Director Nympha White was also present.
Submitted 9/27/21 by Jean Kelly
St. Boniface CCW
Springfield, GA
They say that one person’s junk is another person’s treasure and that was certainly true this past Friday & Saturday. Bargain hunters were lined up outside the door at St Boniface Catholic Church, Springfield, GA - anxious to get in and browse through all the donations made by our parishioners. The funds raised help several local charities and the needs within the parish. In the past, some of the proceeds paid for US flags which were installed in each of the religious education classrooms. Some proceeds went to help with costly repairs to the church’s air conditioning. It took many hours of hard work by our CCW members to sort, price donations and help the shoppers. There were also several spouses and energetic teens that helped with the yard sale and cleaning up the hall which is used for weekend masses. Many volunteers shared their time, talent and treasures to make the yard sale such a success.
Submitted 6/15/21 by Yvette Carr
Holy Family-St. William Parish Council of Catholic Women (CCW)
Green Bay, WI
Members of the Holy Family-St. William Parish Council of Catholic Women (CCW), along with other guests, gather around a rosary prayer garden outside of Holy Family-St. William Church in Wittenberg May 30 as Fr. Matt Settle, pastor, recites a prayer of dedication. The rosary garden features stones, representing each rosary bead, sponsored by families in memory of loved ones.
To read an article about this event, click HERE.
Amarillo DCCW
Amarillo, TX
(Left to right) Members Monica Musick, Julie Neusch, Jeannie Friddell, Barbara Kline and Teresa Sarzynski of the "Walk to Convention 2020ne" Amarillo crew pose for a photo. Great job ladies!
Oklahoma City ACCW
Oklahoma City, OK
Central Region affiliates from around the Oklahoma City metro area participated in a collection drive to help the DragonFly Home, an organization that aides victims of Human Trafficking here in Oklahoma City. Even though our groups have not met due to Covid restrictions, we were still able to collect over $1500 worth of goods, gift cards and checks. Thanks to everyone for their help!
Submitted 4/21/2021 by Mary Ann Schmitt
St. Boniface CCW
Springfield, GA
At its meeting on Wednesday, May 5, several members of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Springfield, GA shared pictures and memories of their mothers. Marguerite Gilstrap is holding a picture of her mother taken around 1947 when her mother was 15 years old. Marguerite is the Secretary of St Boniface CCW. She and her husband sing in the choir and are very involved in the parish community. Many who shared memories stated that they are the women they are today due to the positive influence of their mothers.
Submitted 5/10/21 by Yvette Carr
St. Boniface CCW
Springfield, GA
This is a special mother-daughter team who are both active at St Boniface Catholic Church, Springfield, GA. Melissa Almeida stepped up to serve as Treasurer after her first meeting in 2020. Her mother, Connie Cordeiro, is also very active at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Springfield, GA. They moved to Georgia from Rhode Island less than 2 years ago and they had never heard of CCW before they started attending St. Boniface.
Submitted 5/10/21 by Yvette Carr
All Saints CCW
Berlin, WI
At their March meeting All Saints CCW, Berlin, WI celebrated NCCW's 101st Birthday. They made a blue sign in front with 101 on it and members are holding cookies with 101 on them.
Submitted 3/4/21 by Carol Brennan
St. Boniface CCW
Springfield, GA
At its meeting on Wednesday, March 3, St Boniface CCW in Springfield, GA (Savannah Deanery) celebrated NCCW’s 101st birthday. Those in attendance each took home a cupcake. Thank you to Melissa Almeida (current treasurer) for baking and decorating the cupcakes. Another member (Jane Branham) made some delicious cookies too! We are blessed to have women in our parish who are generous with their time, talent and treasures. Happy Birthday NCCW!!!
Submitted 3/8/21 by Yvette Carr
St. Sebastian CCW
Sebastian, FL
St. Sebastian CCW in Sebastian, FL celebrated NCCW's 101'st birthday with cupcakes and a tower demonstrating the levels of council.
Submitted 3/24/21 by Julie Ann Farrell
St. Michael's CCW
Tybee Island, GA
Picture of women of the St. Michael's Council of Catholic Women, Tybee Island , Georgia preparing "care boxes" for their 12 seminarians. The parishioners donated to the project. They are going to celebrate their pastor's birthday with a breakfast after Mass also. They are socially distancing while serving their parish.
Submitted 2/11/21 by Gayle Valbuena
Greensburg DCCW
Greensburg, PA
February 11, 2021 The Greensburg DCCW former spiritual advisor, Mons. Larry J. Kulick, JCL, was ordained and installed as the 6th bishop of the Greensburg Diocese. Women around the diocese offered spiritual bouquets including 367 Rosaries, 473 Divine Mercy Chaplets, 10 Eucharistic Holy Hours, 100 Novenas, 7 public Mass intentions, 68 private Mass intentions, 10 ongoing monthly Marian prayers, and 1 candle. St. Barbara's Ladies Guild prayed their Rosaries via ZOOM as well as individually.
Submitted 2/19/2021 by Raissa Federline
Our Lady of Lourdes CCW
Venice, FL
The Council of Catholic Women at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Venice CCW Service Projects reached new heights in 2020 thanks to our members’ generosity.
OLOL CCW members are dedicated to serving our Catholic Church, the clergy, the ministries, the parish, the community and one another. All CCW service activities and projects are rooted in Respect Life. When we perform our service projects, we are reaffirming our respect for human life at all stages and under all circumstances.
Our CCW has found unique ways to communicate with our membership, carry on existing Service programs and institute new projects:
- Shoebox gifts for Nursing Home Residents
- Diapers and Baby Clothes Drive
- USO Donations for the Military and their families
- Rosary Makers program outreach to rural parish, migrant families and Catholic Charities
- Created a Rosary program for Widows
- Sewing Ministry created hundreds of pieces of baby and children’s clothing and blankets
Submitted 3/2/21 by Donna McGinnis
Prince of Peace CCW
Ormond Beach, FL
Submitted 12/11/20 by Lauren Morris
Joliet DCCW
Joliet, IL
Click here to read a beautiful Christmas message of hope from the Spirituality Commission of the Joliet DCCW.
Submitted 12/17/2020
Lincoln DCCW
Lincoln, NE
The Lincoln Diocesan Council of Catholic Women conducted their 11th Annual October Pro-Life Diaper drive collecting 143,268 diapers. The diapers are shared with the Lincoln Diocesan Pregnancy Centers, Catholic Social Services and Birthright. A total of 1,000,992 diapers have been collected in 11 years. What a blessing to the help the women in the Lincoln Diocese.
Submitted1/4/2020 by Kay Wessel
Greensburg DCCW
Greensburg, PA
The Greensburg DCCW makes annual donations to the various food banks in our diocese. One of the food banks, the Westmoreland County Foodbank, printed shirts with all of the organizations who have sponsored or donated this year. Denise Pencola from the DCCW is holding up the shirt with the Greensburg DCCW name printed on it.
Submitted 12/1/2020 by Raissa Federline
Knoxville DCCW
Knoxville, TN
The Knoxville DCCW Service Commission invites you to utilize their Service Project Suggestions for Advent 2020 resource. This PDF includes a link to a blank Advent Calendar and a list of suggested acts of service. Note an act of service daily on your calendar using the guide. Lighting the world through our service will be a blessing to all. Invite your children and grandchildren to participate also. Please distribute the suggestions and blank calendars far and wide.
Submitted 12/1/2020
Greensburg DCCW
Greensburg, PA
Members of the Pro-Life Committee of the Greensburg Diocesan Council of the National Council of Catholic Women and supporters joined in person and via ZOOM on Saturday, October 3, to share the Pro-Life Joyful Mysteries from Priests for Life before hearing Judy Townsend, Parent Care Coordinator and Administrative Assistant for Be Not Afraid from Charlotte, North Carolina. Be Not Afraid journeys with families who have received prenatal diagnosis. These families are supported throughout their pregnancies, deliveries, and after. Mrs. Townsend shared statistics about the pressure women get to abort and the lack of education for medical personnel. She also shared that when given the opportunity to carry their child to term, all the mothers and families were blessed by their choice to have more time with their child. Everyone left with open eyes and hearts for these families. More information can be found at www.benotafraid.net
Submitted 12/2/2020 by Raissa Federline
Atlanta ACCW
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Councill of Catholic Women (AACCW) held a Virtual Fall Retreat on September 19, 2020. The retreat was held via ZOOM. The theme was Joining Our Hearts and Hands in Prayer.
We had two great speakers, Father Timothy Gadzialia and Deacon Alfred Mitchell. The importance of Prayer was highlighted in the presentations – what is Prayer, Why we should pray, Kinds of Prayers were some of the topics. We asked the ladies to name something they wanted to pray for and we offered them up in Prayer. A moment of silence was observed for the deceased members of AACCW especially Ms. JoAnn Green, the AACCW Sacristan who recently passed away. We also heard from the newly elected Atlanta Province Director, Mrs. Deanna Holmer.
Submitted 10/2/20 by Cynthia Simien
Belleville DCCW
Belleville, IL
The Belleville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (BDCCW) held its 2020 convention, “Connecting with Christ in a Virtual World” online October 13 and 14, 2020.
Featured speaker Jennifer Sagel discussed how prayer can counteract the separation many feel during the pandemic. We also had a virtual tour of the diocese and an explanation of the history and role of the BDCCW.
Bishop Michael McGovern's Mass marked the convention's climax on Wednesday.
Submitted 10/22/20 by Gina Einig
St. Anne CCW
Richmond Hill, GA
St. Anne CCW Richmond Hill, Ga. in the Diocese of Savannah got back to our social distant meetings in September with a chocolate exchange. Father Allan McDonald was happy to see that we came together with our masks and safe distance. During the pandemic shutdown, we continued with Zoom meetings praying the rosary with all affiliates in the Savannah Deanery and just keeping tabs on each other to make sure everyone is ok. To continue involving as many of our CCW members, St. Anne had a pre-Thanksgiving bake sale. The majority of baked goods could be frozen to be available for Thanksgiving dinners. The congregation gave generously that the CCW was able to give a donation and payment of our NCCW dues. We also were able to give $500 to our Capital Campaign to reduce our debt for our new sanctuary.
Submitted 11/20/2020 by Ginny Lovell
Greensburg DCCW
Greensburg, PA
St. Barbara Ladies Guild
Harrison City, PA
St. Barbara's Ladies Guild has been getting creative during these interesting times to stay connected! They have been meeting for outdoor rosaries and bible studies so that everyone can come together in a safe way.
Submitted 8/20/20 by Raissa Federline
Washington ACCW
Washington, D.C.
Christ the King CCW
Tampa, FL
Venice DCCW
Venice, FL
The Venice DCCW took information from Service Commission Chair Mary Anne Cummins' article on the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and the 5th Anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, and adapted it to a timeline that fit our current situation.
They developed a short PowerPoint Presentation introducing the project to our Affiliate Presidents and emailed it along with a copy of the 30-day reflections to share with members. They asked that they share this with members so we could all pray together before each of us made a personal commitment to take an action to save our planet.
They have been sending daily reflections by email to their presidents so they may share with their members. At the end of the project, they will ask for a response from members on actions taken as a result of this 30-day journey. They hope to compile a list of actions taken to share with everyone. The goal is to keep our members united in prayer and action during these days of confinement and contribute our efforts to saving the environment.
Submitted 4/21/20 by Becky Harper
Dubuque ACCW
Dubuque, IA
Members of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW) have been helping protect clergy and the people they serve from COVID-19 by making masks for every priest and seminarian.
Click here for the full article.
Submitted 4/28/20
Sacred Heart CCW
Brewster, MN
Banner of HOPE for the Community
The Sacred Heart Church Secretary, Loretta Smith had the idea to put a banner on the front of our Parish here in Brewster Minnesota. So, after a few emails and ideas being tossed around. The words “TRUST GOD” were chosen. This is a message of hope for our Sacred Heart Parish family and as well as for our whole community of friends during this time of COVID-19 with all churches closed in our Diocese. We must continue to pray and trust God!
Maker of the banner: Bev McCarvel-Past NCCW Leadership Chair
Submitted 4/2/20 by Bev McCarvel
Dubuque ACCW
Dubuque, IA
Dubuque ACCW members are making face masks for all the priests both active and retired in the Dubuque Archdiocese including the Archbishop for a total of 170 priests. Pictured is Father Jerry Blake, priest of the Holy Family Cluster at Clarion, Iowa, and a member of the local Council of Catholic Women (Altar Society) Monica Staudt. Monica, a former nurse, has made over 200 masks for her local hospital as well as her priest. We thank our Spiritual Advisor, Rev. Dan Knipper, for the inspiration to carry out this effort.
Submitted 4/7/20 by Florine Swanson
St Boniface CCW
Springfield, GA
At its meeting on March 11, St Boniface CCW (Springfield, GA) celebrated NCCW's 100th birthday. Melissa Almeida (CCW's newest member) made the beautifully decorated and delicious birthday cake that everyone enjoyed. Our pastor, Fr. Martino Nguyen, appears to be blessing the cake!
Submitted by Yvette Carr (NCCW Province Director of Atlanta and member of St. Boniface CCW)
Omaha Province
Lincoln, NE
During the March 4, 2020, Catholics at the Capitol Day held in Lincoln, NE, Catholic ladies gathered for a picture with a 100th NCCW anniversary cake furnished by the arch/diocesan councils of the Omaha Province.
Submitted 3/5/20 by Susan Johnson
Kalamazoo DCCW
Kalamazoo, MI
The Kalamazoo Diocesan Council of Catholic Women recently celebrated the National Council of Catholic Women's 100th birthday. NCCW was organized by the US Bishops in 1920 to unite all Catholic Women and organizations. The birthday party was celebrated at a Lenten Day of Spiritual Renewal, THE REAL PRESENCE, for the women of the Kalamazoo, Michigan Diocese.
Submitted 3/12/20 by Carolyn Morrison
Washington DC ACCW
Washington, DC
As we face this period of social distancing and other restrictions, including the cancellation of public Mass in the Archdiocese of Washington (ADW), the Council of Catholic Women-ADW has extended its nightly Rosary call to include Sundays and we have established a coronavirus prayer resource page on the CCW-ADW website. CCW-ADW also has offered its help to the Archdiocese in whatever way it can during this time. In addition, the Archdiocese has agreed to include information on CCW-ADW's nightly Rosary call in its Parish Briefings, inviting all to join in our nightly prayer call. We hope that these calls will help keep us all united in prayer. Here is the link to the web page: https://www.councilofcatholicwomen-adw.com/coronavirus-prayer-resources
Submitted by Carol Monaco 3/18/20
St. John the Evangelist CCW
Viera, FL
Fears of Traumatized Children Soothed by Stuffed Animals Provided by CCW
When Amanda Hollcroft, a police officer, asked her mom, CCW Member Kathy O’Conor, for help she did not know what to expect. Amanda told her mom that for a long time, she and the police officers of the City of Palm Bay, FL had been purchasing stuffed animals to use in domestic abuse and other situations where young children were traumatized by violence or accidents. These soft, cuddly and soothing stuffed animals, purchased by the officers, were kept in their car trunks for these types of situations. When the children were removed from the scene and given a stuffed animal, it wasn’t long until tears dried, and the children were naming their new cuddly animals and the trauma began to fade for them.
The pictures show the result of how the membership of St. John the Evangelist CCW, Viera, FL ladies came to the rescue of traumatized children to sooth their fears.
Submitted 1/28/2020 by Linda Trucano – St. John the Evangelist
St. Thomas Aquinas CCW
St. Cloud, FL
St. Thomas Aquinas CCW decided to re-purpose thousands of bags to crochet sleeping mats for the homeless. 500-700 bags are needed to make the 'plarn' used to crochet the mat. So far, the women have completed 5 mats, which will be delivered to homeless camps in Osceola County by Pescadores De Hombres (Fishers of Men), a ministry at Holy Redeemer Church in Kissimmee, FL.
Submitted 2/19/2020 by Mary Anne O'Shea
Lincoln Diocesan Council of Catholic Women
Lincoln, NE
The Lincoln Diocesan Council of Catholic Women collected, at the February Winter Symposium, items to assist the homeless. The donation request response was overwhelming with boxes and boxes of personal care items as well as many sleeping bags.
Submitted 2/25/2020 by Kay Wessel
Detroit ACCW
Livonia, MI
Council of Catholic Women / Archdiocese of Detroit’s 1st Golden Rose Award Ceremony took place on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at the Felician Sisters Motherhouse Chapel in Livonia, Michigan. The morning began with Mass, followed by a luncheon. Twenty-four high school students, from the metro Detroit area, were awarded the Golden Rose Award. They were recognized for showing Spirituality, strong Leadership and ongoing Service in their parish and school.
Submitted 1/6/2020 by Zora Dziurman
St Vincent CCW
Margate, FL
St. Vincent CCW celebrated their 10th Anniversary the weekend of Oct 26th & 27th, 2019. They invited all of the Communities (Spanish, Brazilian & English) to partake in the celebration. They displayed pictures from their events and fundraisers and the certificates they received over the past 10 years so the parish could see what the CCW is all about. It was a big success!
Submitted 1/6/20 by Flo McGrath
Vicariate I
Chicago, IL
Vicariate I of the Archdiocese of Chicago recently held a Golden Rose Breakfast event featuring 30 high school recipients, Bishop Alberto Rojas and the cadets of Highschool District #214 were present for the event held on December 7, 2019.
Submitted 1/23/2020 by Evelyn Getty