The Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) invites women of the diocese to gather for prayer, inspiration, and socializing at fall meetings scheduled as noted below. The vicariate sponsoring the meeting is noted followed by date and location.
Vicariate Council of Catholic Women (CCW) presidents will conduct the meetings with MDCCW President Rosa Ropers, Waunakee, participating. Mass will be offered at each meeting with either Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt, Sun Prairie, or Fr. Lorin Bowens, Lime Ridge, concelebrating with attending priests. Both are spiritual advisors to MDCCW.
Vicariate meetings
Grant — Tuesday, Sept. 29, Fennimore
Columbia North — Thursday, Oct. 8, Montello
Jefferson — Thursday, Oct. 8, Watertown
Sauk — Tuesday, Oct. 20, La Valle
West Dane — Wednesday, Oct. 21, Waunakee
Grant Vicariate
FENNIMORE — Queen of All Saints Parish Council of Catholic Women will host the fall vicariate meeting at St. Mary Church, 930 Jefferson St., on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with registration starting at 3 p.m. Grant Vicariate CCW President Bernadette Schaefer will conduct the business meeting at 3:30 p.m. Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt will concelebrate the Mass at 5 p.m. with attending priests. Dinner is at 6 p.m. in the church hall. Fr. Donald Lange, pastor emeritus and Catholic Herald columnist, will speak after the dinner. Donations from Mass will go to the Platteville Clarity Clinic, which offers free services to men and women in crisis. Registration is $12. Contact Kathy Loy at 608-822-6412 for more information.
Columbia North Vicariate
MONTELLO — Sr. Deanne Niehaus will speak on “Life: God’s Gift — Conception to Last Heartbeat” at the Columbia North Vicariate meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8, at St. John the Baptist Church, 277 E. Montello St. Registration is at 9 a.m. with the business meeting conducted by Sr. Jude Seaman starting at 9:45 a.m. Fr. Lorin Bowens will concelebrate Mass at 11 a.m. with attending priests. The program follows the noon meal. Sister Deanne, a Schoenstatt Sister of Mary, conducts retreats in the diocese and is known for her defense of life. Donations will go to Women‘s Care Center, Madison. Registration is $13 and can be sent to Sandy Beahm, N3392 14th Dr., Montello, WI 53949. Email beahm2@frontier.com for more information.
Jefferson Vicariate
WATERTOWN — Tom Nelson, rural services coordinator for the Catholic Multicultural Center in Madison, will speak on “Feeding the Hungry” on Thursday, Oct. 8, at St. Bernard Church, 114 S. Church St., for the Jefferson Vicariate CCW gathering. Registration is at 4:45 p.m. with Rosary at 5:10 p.m. Mass will be offered at 5:30 p.m. with Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt and attending priests concelebrating. Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. followed by the program. For the special collection, bring nonperishable food items or cash for the Watertown Food Pantry. Cost is $10. Send reservations to Sue Johnson, 1662 Wood Rd., Watertown, WI 53098. Make checks payable to St. Bernard CCW. Call 920-261-7154 for more information.
Sauk Vicariate
LA VALLE — Holy Family Parish Council of Catholic Women will host the Sauk Vicariate fall meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the parish gathering hall, 310 Bluff St. Lynn Geitz will preside at the business meeting starting at 3 p.m. At 4:15 p.m., Brea Behn, a young Wisconsin author, will speak about healing and sharing in her presentation titled “It Was Then That I Carried You: Life’s Defining Journey Through One Person’s Eyes.” Fr. Lorin Bowens will celebrate Mass at 5:15 p.m. with other attending priests. The Offertory collection will be given to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (www.adaa.org). Dinner follows Mass. Cost is $10. Make checks payable to Holy Family CCW and send to Mary Quigley, E7547 Hwy. 23/33, Reedsburg, WI 53959.
West Dane Vicariate
WAUNAKEE — With the theme, “Walking in the Footsteps of Mary,” the ladies of St. John the Baptist Parish invite women to gather on Wednesday morning, Oct. 21, at 209 South St. for the West Dane Vicariate meeting. Sister Victoria will share the focus of the Schoenstatt mission. Participants will learn about local, regional, and global efforts to benefit women and children through the work of Catholic women. The day will include liturgy and a luncheon and will close with the Rosary. For more information, call Jeannie Miller at 608-849-5099.