LANCASTER — Linda Ripp, president of the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW), invites women of the diocese to gather Tuesday, June 27, at St. Clement Church and hall, 135 S. Washington St., Lancaster, for its 68th convention to pray, socialize, and learn how other parishes are celebrating the Eucharist, charitable works, service, and prayerful celebrations.
Hosted by Grant Vicariate CCW, the event’s theme is “Quilted Together in the Eucharist.”
Kathy Loy, Fennimore, president of the Grant Vicariate CCW, encourages women “to make the scenic drive to southwest Wisconsin and join with other women of faith as we focus on the Eucharist.”
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 warm our heart and soul.”
She said the convention will offer a good chance to learn more about what is going on in the Church so “we can become better disciples.”
Msgr. James Bartylla, vicar general of the Diocese of Madison, will keynote the convention with his presentation, “Eucharistic Revival, the Sacrifice of the Mass, and Knitting Together the Church.”
Monsignor Bartylla will preview what he will present at the Eucharistic Revival in Waunakee in October and give a select summary of his nine-part Eucharistic Revival homily series.
In the afternoon, Joey Mahieu, an artisan quilter who specializes in commissioned quilts and long arm machine quilting, will talk about her life as a quilter.
She and her husband Don own Against the Grain Studio and Gallery in Mineral Point.
Concelebrated Mass
Fr. William Vernon, St. Clement pastor, and Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt, MDCCW Spiritual Advisor, will concelebrate Mass at 11 a.m.
Loy encourages women to invite their new pastors to attend since this will be the week of the pastor changes. “Invite and welcome your new pastor and familiarize him with what we do.”
Writing in the MDCCW newsletter, Monsignor Moellenberndt, pastor emeritus, said, “Our convention gives us the opportunity to gather as faithful Catholics as we stand on the threshold of the changes that will come to our parishes with the ‘Into the Deep’ initiative. We are all part of the Madison diocesan Church working together for the glory of God and sharing the good news of the Gospel as we ‘Go Make Disciples’.”
Co-chairing the convention with Loy are Maureen Pickel, Kieler; and Carol Rogers, Fennimore, MDCCW president-elect.
Jan Block, Lancaster, past Grant Vicariate CCW president, is managing arrangements at St. Clement, her home parish.
The day will begin with registration and continental breakfast at 8:15 a.m., followed by the official opening at 9 a.m. The day concludes at 3 p.m.
To raise funds for its charitable giving, the MDCCW will hold a silent auction that day.
A one-day raffle will also be held, and a collection will be taken at Mass for a local charity.
Registration information
The registration deadline is Tuesday, June 13. The cost is $35 with a discounted fee of $25 for first-time attendees.
Mail registrations to Margaret Sprague, Grant Vicariate Treasurer, 1605 14th St., Fennimore, WI 53809.
Parishes have received information on the convention, and information is on the MDCCW website
(mdccw.com).