BERLIN — With the theme, “Women on Fire for the Lord,” keynote speaker Marianne Skrobiak will challenge women “to witness the power of God in our lives” at the 62nd annual convention of the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) Tuesday and Wednesday, June 7 and 8, at All Saints Church here.
MDCCW President Rosa Ropers, Waunakee, invites women “to come together to celebrate, learn, and pray so we can become women who are willing to speak up for the Lord with enthusiasm and dedication.”
Tuesday schedule
Registration starts at 12 noon on Tuesday, June 7. On Tuesday afternoon there will be a business meeting, the recitation of the Rosary, and Mass.
The evening banquet features entertainment by the “Sister Strings,” Bernadette Schaefer and Kitty Mumm, MDCCW members from Lancaster.
President Ropers said those who can’t attend during the day are “welcome to attend just the banquet and experience the ambiance of like-minded women. Treat yourself to a time of relaxation, entertainment, and socializing. You all have so much to share with your faith, your ideas, and just being there for one another.”
Wednesday schedule
Wednesday registration is from 7:30 to 9 a.m. with a continental breakfast. A short business meeting starts at 9 a.m. to be followed by the keynote speaker and then Mass to be con-celebrated by MDCCW spiritual advisor Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt, Sun Prairie, with host pastor, Fr. David Greenfield, and other attending priests. Installation of officers will be at the end of Mass.
Following lunch, attendees will attend share shops on service and spirituality. The convention closes with raffle drawings and prayer.
Keynote speaker
Skrobiak, who serves as the Milwaukee archbishop’s liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, will raise such questions as, “Do you have a fire in your belly? What would that look like for you? Are you in love with the Risen Lord? What do you see in others that could be described as being on fire?”
A retired psychotherapist, Skrobiak will speak on Wednesday morning of the convention about her faith journey and how the Holy Spirit continues to be active in her life. After lunch, she will present the share shop on spirituality, “Seeking a Relationship with God.”
With master’s degrees in both counseling and theology, Skrobiak had a ministry to the separated and divorced for over 18 years. On her website (www.gentlewhispersonline. com), she writes, “It has been my goal to ‘offer a gentle opportunity for healing’ to those who may need help from time to time with a variety of life circumstances.”
Hosea’s Heart
Also on Wednesday afternoon, there will be a share shop on service, featuring Hosea’s Heart, a nonprofit organization written about in the August 27, 2015, Catholic Herald. Mary-Kate Martin, member of Holy Family Parish, Marshall, started the organization to “empower the girls of Swaziland to achieve freedom from sexual abuse and hope for a better future.”
She gave up her teaching job to help young women who are sexually abused and exploited in the southern African country. Her mother Peggy Martin will join her as she shares the story of Hosea’s Heart (www.hoseasheart.org) and offers suggestions for service.
Convention Co-Chairs Ellen Martin, Westfield, and Mona Matijevich, Berlin, along with Columbia North Vicariate President Sr. Jude Seaman welcome women to Berlin on behalf of the host vicariate.
Raffle and registration
An annual fundraiser for MDCCW is the convention raffle. Lynn Geitz, ways and means chair for MDCCW, coordinates the raffle which features cash prizes as well as Milwaukee Brewers tickets with parking, Wisconsin Badger tickets, hotel stay, a statue of Blessed Virgin Mary, and a framed print of Mother Teresa.
Raffle tickets are available in advance to councils and are $5 each or three for $10. The drawing will be June 8 at 3 p.m., and the winners do not need to be present. For ticket information, contact Geitz at 608-354-2213 or lynn.geitz@hotmail.com
Deadline for convention registration is May 20. Registration cost is $20 for Tuesday and $30 for the second day. Fee must accompany registration. The form is available at www.mdccw.com For questions, contact Ellen Martin at 608-296-4094 or ellenmarymartin@gmail.com