LANCASTER — In her opening remarks to the women attending the 68th convention of the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) on June 27, President Linda Ripp said, “I love the theme of ‘Quilted Together in the Eucharist’.”
The theme “makes me think of God’s creation and the quilt of blues and greens of the sky, water, trees, and plants and flowers of every color; and the beautiful feathers and fur designs of the birds and animals. And, then, to add to all that, He made each of us to be part of the quilt, created in His Image to be unique individuals with our own special gifts and talents.”
Having completed the first year of her two-year term, Ripp from St. Martin of Tours Parish, Martinsville, looks forward to more women becoming members as the Into the Deep initiative progresses.
“I learned a lot my first year. We have great people in the diocese doing great things.”
She pointed to Walking with Moms in Need, anti-trafficking efforts, and other service projects.
“I hope this next year we will grow spiritually by learning more about the Eucharist, and we will become a greater united voice of Catholic women,” said Ripp.
Grant vicariate as hosts
The Grant Vicariate CCW hosted the event at St. Clement Church in Lancaster.
Kathy Loy, president, chaired the event. Her committee included Maureen Pickel, Kieler; Carol Rogers, Fennimore; and Jan Block, Lancaster.
Loy said the theme was chosen to tie into the Eucharistic Revival.
“We all need to remember that the Eucharist is the ultimate gift from God showing his love to warm our heart and soul. The quilt is a gift to remind us of the love sewn in every stitch to also warm our heart and soul,” she said.
Msgr. James Bartylla, vicar general of the Diocese of Madison, delivered the keynote with his presentation, “Eucharistic Revival, the Sacrifice of the Mass, and Knitting Together the Church.”
In the afternoon, Joey Mahieu, an artisan quilter who specializes in commissioned quilts and long-arm machine quilting, talked about her life as a quilter.
She and her husband Don own Against the Grain Studio and Gallery in Mineral Point.
Special guests
Jean Kelly, Milwaukee, immediate past president of the National Council of Catholic Women, and Lu Ann Miller, La Crosse, Milwaukee Province director, were special guests.
Kelly said she continues to volunteer to revitalize the Council of Catholic Women nationally, including helping to start junior councils.
“People call me, and I will help. You have sisters around the country.”
Miller explained that the Milwaukee Province encompasses all the dioceses of the state. Wisconsin is one of the few states to have its own province.
As province director, Miller serves on the NCCW board and chairs the Milwaukee Province Board, which includes the diocesan CCW presidents and spiritual advisors.
Miller commended the MDCCW president for her leadership.
“Linda has been a key spokesperson with the massive restructuring taking place. She is a wonderful communicator, a strong voice, and an absolute pleasure to have on my board in the position of secretary and as your diocesan representative,” she said.
Women from 25 diocesan parishes and representatives from the other four dioceses in Wisconsin attended the convention for a total of 97.
Fr. William Vernon, host pastor; Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt, MDCCW spiritual advisor; Fr. Bernie Rott, Kieler; and Monsignor Bartylla concelebrated the Mass.
Five past presidents attended the convention: Dorene Shuda, 1995-96; Carol Brennan, 2010-12; Coreen Marklein, 2012-14; Ellen Martin, 2016-18; and Bernadette Schaefer, 2018-20.
Charitable giving
The silent auction raised $1,027 for MDCCW expenses.
The Class B raffle yielded $690 to be given to Clarity Clinic in Platteville and the Women’s Care Center in Madison. In addition, each of the clinics will receive a baby blanket donated by Marklein. The women contributed $500 during the offertory of the Mass.
The money will be used for the Boxes of Joy Service Project. Boxes were available for the women to take with them to collect items to be given to children in poverty around the world at Christmas. Cross Catholic Outreach sponsors the project.
See the MDCCW website (mdccw.com) for information on the Boxes of Joy project as well as the other service projects supported by the Catholic women.
Membership
Membership in the MDCCW is either through affiliated parishes or as individuals. Individual members pay $10 annually.
To join individually, go to mdccw.com With the Into the Deep initiative, President Ripp wants to have a representative from each of the Pastorates to serve as a communication link to the board.