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| Following Mass at St. Joseph Church in Baraboo celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, new officers were installed, from left: Alice Paul, secretary; Kitty Mumm, president-elect; Rosa Ropers, president; and Ellen Martin, treasurer. (Photo by Kathy Loy) |
BARABOO — More than 100 women gathered for the 60th annual convention of the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) held May 20 to 21 at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center here to conduct the business of the council and to pray, learn, and socialize.
Speakers focused on the theme of “Finding Grace through Faith, Trust, and Patience.”
Coreen Marklein presided over the two-day convention and passed on the presidential gavel to Rosa Ropers, Waunakee, who will serve the next two years.
Uniting Catholic women
Marklein reminded members of the council’s purpose, “MDCCW was formed as an opportunity to unite all Catholic women in the diocese to nurture and strengthen their faith and love of God.”
Co-Spiritual Advisor, Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt, Sun Prairie, said MDCCW has been “a gift to the Church and diocese for 60 years and a witness to Gospel values that enrich lives of women, offer gifts to the poor, and improve the lives of those in need.”
Thirty-four persons attended the convention for the first time. Brianna Fanta, Holy Family Parish, LaValle, received the Alice Krystofiak Award of a Madonna statue as the youngest first-time attendee.
The oldest member attending, Dorothy Lepeska, was recognized for her service as MDCCW newsletter editor for more than 40 years.
Rita Endres, Angela Gorenc, and Margie Blau represented the Madison Catholic Woman’s Club, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. MDCCW and the Madison club last fall co-sponsored a Marian Day of Renewal.
Hosted by Sauk Vicariate
The convention was hosted by the Sauk Vicariate. Lynn Geitz from Holy Family Parish, LaValle, chaired the planning committee. Her pastor, Fr. Larry Bowens, serves as co-spiritual advisor to the MDCCW.
In her welcome, Geitz said, “I strongly encourage and challenge all of you to get involved in your home parish. Through our activities, involvement, and faith, each of us can make a difference in our community and parish.”
The evening banquet featured Fr. Dominic Roscioli, spiritual advisor to the Milwaukee Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, sharing inspirational and humorous stories in his presentation, “A Prayer, A Story, and A Glass of Wine.”
Convention business
The next morning, members conducted business. As a result of a change in the by-laws and constitution, women can join MDCCW as individual members if their parish isn’t affiliated with the council. They can vote at the annual convention along with affiliated parish representatives.
This year, members voted for new officers and added an option to have co-presidents and co-presidents-elect. Carol Rogers, Fennimore, presented the proposal, saying, “Women might be more inclined to consider leadership opportunities if they had a partner to assist with the task of the office.”
Elected to two-year terms were Rosa Ropers, Waunakee, president; Kitty Mumm, Lancaster, president-elect; Alice Paul, Milton, secretary; and Ellen Martin, Westfield, treasurer.
Following the election, members heard Fr. Don Everts, spiritual advisor to the Green Bay CCW, talk about “Becoming Intentional Disciplines.”
Mass at St. Joseph Church
The attendees went to Mass at St. Joseph Church in Baraboo concelebrated by the spiritual advisors, Monsignor Moellenberndt and Father Bowens; Fr. Jay Poster, pastor of St. Joseph; Fr. Thomas Coyle, Jefferson; and Fr. Domenic Roscioli, Milwaukee Archdiocese.
In his homily, Monsignor Moellenberndt recommended the prayer: “Dear Lord, teach us to pray. And even when it seems like all of your angels are busy helping other saints and we are on eternal hold with that awful music, give us the persistence, trust, hope, and faith to never lose heart.”
He said, “The prayer reminds us to be patient in prayer, trusting God with a deep faith that never gives up.” Acknowledging that some days “we feel closer to the Lord than other days,” he said, “that is all part of our faith journey. . . . We do indeed find grace in our faith. The more we realize our dependence on God, the more our faith deepens.”
MDCCW gives support
Returning to the convention center, participants heard from Jean Kelly, Milwaukee province director, and learned about Camp Gray and food pantries in the diocese.
This past year, the all-volunteer MDCCW supported the following organizations and groups: Catholic Relief Services, Cross International, the Madonna Plan, Water for Life, Women’s Care Center, the Donkey Project, Fr. Wally’s Dam Project, Camp Gray, Our Lady of Hope Clinic, and the diocesan seminarians.
Within their communities and parishes, members contributed to local food pantries, St. Vincent DePaul societies, and other neighborhood programs. The MDCCW will host the reception following ordination of priests June 27 at St. Maria Goretti Church, Madison.
Next year, West Dane Vicariate will host the convention. For more information on the diocesan council, including membership, go to its website at www.mdccw.com