DogwoodConnections

Volume 4 Issue 3                                                                       Winter 2008

 

Catholic Women:

Moving Mountains through

Faith and Love

Keynote Speaker – Gerrie Naughton, RSM

Sister Gerrie Naughton is the founder of Project ARISE (A Resource in Serving Equality).  Founded in 1987, ARISE has grown to include five operating centers located in various immigrant populated Texas communities.  It is a ministry that is currently co-sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, the Daughters of Charity, and the Sisters of the Incarnate Word.  In the local area, ARISE is often described as a “program of the people, for the people, and by the people - Neighbor helping neighbor in the neighborhood.”

Sister Gerrie was born in Ireland and attended Webster University in St. Louis, MO, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS and Mexican American Cultural Center, San Antonio, TX.  Sister Gerri has taught high school in Mississippi and Louisiana and has served in pastoral ministry in MS.

Family Concerns

Family Table Health Issues

The Family Table

What does “family table” mean to you?  Is it a holiday event that occurs once or twice a

year?  Do you see every meal as a chance to share and empower those who eat to go forward in their daily work?

How does nutrition fit into your meal planning?  Are your meals eaten on the go, in front of a TV, brought in from a fast food venue or micro-waved in shifts?

Americans are facing many health issues directly attributed to nutrition and meal choices.  This workshop will give you some insights and suggestions to help you make better choices at your family table.

 

International Concerns

Water, Our Common Cup

 Do you know the answer to the following?

Year 2007:    One of the worst droughts on record affected this region of the USA.

 A)  Northwest          B)   Southeast 

 C)  Northeast            D) Midwest

The drought problem influenced the International Committee to choose:  Water, “Our Common Cup” as our workshop for the   April convention. Mary Hilchey is the presenter.    The DVD “Water for Life” will be shown.  This DVD is excellently done, very informative, realistic and above all touches your inner spirit.  After seeing this video, you will never look at water in the same way again.   There will be hand outs to enable you to help others experience what you experienced.

 

Legislative Concerns

Faithful Citizenship, Vote Smart

Presenter: Paul Simineau, Director of the Diocesan Office of Justice and Peace.

Paul will speak on Faithful Citizenship. In this election year it is particularly important for us to be an informed, knowledgeable citizen.

At convention we will have voter registration forms; we’ll even mail them for you.  Watch your local papers for your voting location and sample ballots.

A reminder: the date for Catholic Day on the Hill has been changed to April 9th.  I know this is just before convention, but you can still do both.  You can get the registration form here: http://www.tncppc.org/day-on-hill.htm. Just scroll down the page a bit; the link for the form is just above the days agenda. 

If you are unsure of your representative you can go to http://www.votesmart.org/. In the upper left hand corner just enter your zip code in the box and click go.  You can make a difference so let your voice be heard.

Legislative Commission co-chairs: Monica Witkowski, Kitty Jansen.

 

Organization Services

Faith and Love in Action

  Our parishes are the places where CCW turns needs into action. The Faith and Love in Action program at this year’s convention will share some best practices from across our diocese. The presenters for the program will be Sally Jackson, KDCCW Organization Chair along with her co-chair, Shirley King. 

   Please send email photos of your parish CCW activities along with a brief description to sallyajackson@bellsouth.net no later than March 1.  We will be sharing some of your projects, so please EVERY SINGLE AFFILIATE/INDIVIDUAL share now.  Be sure to include your name and parish name. 

 

Other Presentations and Programs at convention:

 

Church Concerns Commission Chair Helen Percle will present a workshop, Liturgy of the Hours.

 

Community Concerns will present a workshop entitled Taking Care of Ourselves, with Becky Dodson as the presenter.

 

Fellowship is the most wonderful part of convention.  We have the opportunity to meet and share with ladies from all parts of the Diocese.

 

 

Website Demonstration

Web-mistress Nancy Heaps will present our Award winning Website and give you a “virtual tour”.

 

Associates of NCCW and Friends of NCCW for WUCWO.

Past President of the Associates, Patty

Johnson and current President of Friends, Sally Jackson will talk about the importance of these two organizations to NCCW and to the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations.

 

Liturgies, Prayers, Meetings and Fellowship

 

No convention of the Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women would be complete without the beautiful liturgies, including the traditional Memorial Mass on Friday honoring all the ladies who have died this past year.  Mass and rosary on Saturday morning will be held at St. Mary Church in Gatlinburg.  Business meetings are an integral part of convention.  It is when all of the ladies have an opportunity to have input in the direction of the KDCCW. Be sure to study the proposed resolutions and by-law revision before coming to the convention.

                                      

 

Luncheon Speaker  Patty Johnson Region 3 Vice President of NCC

Faithful Followers of Christ; The Journey of Discipleship.

I became a member of the Council of Catholic Women over 40 years ago. It was in St Jude Parish, Chattanooga that I was first invited and mentored. I also experienced my first role in a leadership position as President of this affiliate. At Sacred Heart in Knoxville, I grew further in spirituality and service by participating in a CCW Study Guild and CCW Junior Club. AT St Bridget in Dayton, I participated in Council in many ways on Parish, Deanery and Diocesan levels. For the National Council of Catholic Women, I have served as Province Director, President of the Associates and currently serve as NCCW Vice President, Region Three. These positions gave me the privilege of serving on the National Board of Directors participating in the work of the NCCW Commissions and Committees.

I was educated in Catholic Schools and received my Nursing Diploma from St Mary's in Knoxville. I have practiced as a Registered Nurse for 48 years. I have been married to Shelton for 45 years and we have 4 married sons and 8 grandchildren. We live in Fairfield Glade, TN and are members of St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

 

 

                            NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN

CRUISE

CARNIVAL LEGEND NOVEMBER 9, 2008

The National Council of Catholic Women is again sponsoring a cruise fun-raiser.  The cruise will be leaving on Nov. 9 from Florida and traveling all around the Caribbean. For more information contact:

GOING PLACES TRAVEL

341 FURYS FERRY RD STE 5

AUGUSTA, GA  30907

706-868-5461

706-364-5519-fax

p.harris@vacation.com

Please mention N.C.C.W. whenever calling Going Places Travel.

 

NCCW General Assembly

 

The NCCW General Assembly will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah September 24-28.  It is an opportunity to learn more about each commission, more about council work in general and to meet with and gain experience from all the women across the country involved in council work.

 

Unpack the Facts!

Brown Bag University

 Coming 2008 General Assembly – BBU!

Another opportunity to swap ideas and skills among council sisters.

 What’s it all about?

→ Informal, optional small group discussions on topics and issues of interest

            → Scheduled during Cash & Carry lunch periods

→ Topics chosen with input from Board and members

→ Led by NCCW members with expertise in the area of discussion

Why do it?

→ It’s a once-a-year chance to get fresh ideas from other women who are graced with different gifts.