Nearly 700 Catholic women from around the nation gathered in Atlanta to celebrate 99 years of service to the Church.

Blake Swensen • September 4, 2019

For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C. August 2019— Nearly 700 Catholic women from around the nation gathered in Atlanta to celebrate 99 years of service to the Church.

This year’s theme, Caring for God’s Creation, showcased NCCW’s continuing efforts to address important needs of our times through spirituality, leadership and service.

Mother Dolores Hart, O.S.B., was awarded the first Honorary Lifetime Membership Award of the National Council of Catholic Women, given to a distinguished American Catholic woman. As a young woman, she made her film debut with Elvis Presley in Paramount’s 1957 film Loving You. After starring in several Hollywood feature films and Broadway productions, she stunned the world with her decision to enter cloistered religious life. Now prioress of the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Connecticut Mother Dolores remains a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences!

Keynote speaker, The Most Reverend Peter A. Rosazza D.D., Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus, Archdiocese of Hartford discussed women’s response to Pope Francis’s plea to save Mother Earth. Other speakers included Kim Michael Polote, Matt Holzmann, and Dan Misleh, founding Executive Director of Catholic Climate Covenant.

NCCW Commissions of Spirituality, Leadership and Service presented their efforts to combat human trafficking, their work on ways to respond to Pope Francis’s call to care for creation, and their new resources such as retreats for those mourning the loss of a family member to suicide.

2019-2021 NCCW President Jean Kelly was installed at the Closing Mass, along with 2019-2021 President-elect Patricia Voorhes, Secretary Tracy Janis, and the Leadership, Spirituality and Service Commission Chairs.

The Most Reverend Joel Konzen, Auxilliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, presided at the Opening Liturgy and The Most Reverend Jerome Listecki, Archbishop of Milwaukee, presided over the Closing Liturgy. Also present at the daily liturgies were the Most Reverend William Wack, CSC, Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahasee and the Most Reverend Peter Rosazza, DD, Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Hartford. 40 spiritual advisors were also present at the daily liturgies and attended the annual NCCW Spiritual Advisor luncheon.

The 100th anniversary of the NCCW will be celebrated at the 2020 NCCW Convention to be held August 26-29 in the Washington, D.C. area.

Founded at the direction of the US Catholic bishops in 1920, NCCW’s mission is to act through its members to support, empower and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service. NCCW programs respond with Gospel values to the needs of the Church and society in the modern world. To request an interview with NCCW President, Jean Kelly, please contact lbennett@nccw.org or call 703-224-0990. Visit nccw.org for more information.

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