OCTOBER 12 - DIOCESAN COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN DAY
From the Central Minnesota Catholic Magazine...
On Aug. 6 at the Chancery in St. Cloud, Bishop Patrick Neary, CSC, signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 12 Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Day in the St. Cloud Diocese. The proclamation reads:
“For generations, women in our parishes have strengthened the life of the Church — through service, prayer and community. They’ve cared for one another, nurtured devotion and embodied Christ’s love in times of joy and hardship.
Recognizing the importance of this work, Bishop Peter W. Bartholome established the St. Cloud Diocesan Council of Catholic Women in 1953 — a movement designed to unite, empower and celebrate the faithful women of our diocese. Since then, the DCCW has been a force for good —providing a network of support, deepening spiritual formation and building connections across the wider Church.
Today, the mission of the DCCW is more vital than ever. In our evolving Church, women continue to serve as leaders, companions and disciples, ensuring that faith isn’t just something we practice — it’s something we live.
I am honored to proclaim October 12 as Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Sunday in the Diocese of St. Cloud. Let us offer our prayers in gratitude for the women of the DCCW, and let us encourage every woman in our parishes to embrace this invitation — to step forward, to lead and to deepen their journey of faith.
May Mary, under her title of Our Lady of the Rosary, continue to bless this ministry and inspire all women to live their faith boldly.”
A Few Things DCCW Supports...
Water for Life: Water for Life uses a combination of appropriate water technologies, water health education, and basic research so that communities can identify and solve their water problems. Our mission is not to simply provide safe water to those in need but to train individuals and communities to create and maintain their own local water resources. We do so by a highly interactive process combining formal instruction with hands-on training.
The Madonna Plan: Since 1958, the Madonna Plan has supported the Catholic Relief Service Mother and Child Survival Projects working with pregnant women and women with children under age 5. These projects address healthy behaviors and provide needed health services such as vaccinations and immunizations to pregnant women and their children, nutrition and hygiene best practices, exclusive breastfeeding and complimentary feeding, as well as sanitation.
Box of Joy (Cross Catholic Outreach): These are Christmas gifts sent to children in developing countries like Haiti, Malawi, and the Dominican Republic. Filled with toys, clothing, school supplies, a rosary, and The Story of Jesus, these gifts represent Christ's love. Your donation will demonstrate Christ's compassion to a child who may have never before received a Christmas gift.
Natural Disasters Within the U.S.A.: The DCCW is very conscious of hardships caused by natural disasters within our country. We have donated money to Catholic Relief Services for such things as the floods in southeastern United States, the catastrophic L.A. fires, etc.
Our Food, Fun, & Fund Day: Is our annual fund-raising event that allows us to provide financial help where needed within the diocese, within the U.S., and worldwide. We have mass together, entertainment, and a silent auction. This event is publicized in the Central Minnesota Catholic Magazine and in ACC Bulletins. Cost is minimal ($20 to $25).
Bus Pilgrimages: DCCW has been sponsoring annual bus pilgrimages for the past four years. These are one-day events that highlighted various Catholic sites around our diocese, such as adoration chapels, monasteries, our cathedral, Crosier seminary, historic old churches, etc. Cost has been $25.
Lenten Retreat & Fall Conference: The DCCW selects a theme and provides speakers who can provide spiritual insights on that theme. These events are published in the Central Minnesota Catholic Magazine and in our ACC Bulletin. Cost is minimal ($20 to $25). We always celebrate Mass at these events and any money from the collection is donated - half to a local charity designated by the sponsoring ACC and half to a DCCW charitable cause.
Volunteer Opportunities: DCCW supports other diocesan events by volunteering their services to assist. Other events include such things as the Men's Conference, Marriage Day, Festival of Families, etc.