WAUNAKEE — Women of the diocese are asked to save the date of Saturday, June 12, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for an abbreviated virtual convention of the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW).
In announcing the shortened virtual event to replace the annual convention, the planning committee said, “The West Dane Vicariate is looking forward to welcoming you to our 2021 conference this summer. We missed seeing you last June, but promise to make 2021 a conference to remember as we celebrate 100 years (actually 101 by now), safe from COVID-19, and thanking God for who we are and what we do.”
Online event
The online event “is geared to be uplifting and encouraging while celebrating all that women have done in the Madison diocese to make our world a better place,” said Rosa Ropers, president of the West Dane Vicariate CCW (Council of Catholic Women), this year’s host.Working with the constraints and uncertainties of COVID-19, the planning committee chose a date and time that they hope will allow for all women of the diocese to be able to attend even if they have other activities that day.
The committee promises that the technology will be clear and simple to enable all to take part in the event.
Registration will be required, and all who register by Saturday, May 29, will receive a packet for the program.
There will be no fee, but donations will be accepted to defray costs or be given to a designated charity.
Ropers encourages safe gatherings in parish centers or other spaces so women can experience this convention as a group, keeping physical distancing and masking, as appropriate.
Featured talks
MDCCW president Judy Lyons, Fort Atkinson, will convene the meeting which will feature pre-recorded talks from Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison and Catholic spiritual writer Jeanne Ewing.
Ewing will speak on “Finding Joy in the Chaos.”
In her work, she focuses on the topics of grief, redemptive suffering, and waiting.
A video of the Divine Mercy Chaplet sung by Anne Nuzzo will conclude the event.
All three presenters had been scheduled for the canceled 2020 day-long convention which was to be held at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Cross Plains, and at which the 100th anniversary of the National Council of Catholic Women was to be celebrated.
More information will be provided in a future issue of the Catholic Herald as well as the spring MDCCW newsletter which will be available online at mdccw.com
MDCCW is affiliated with the national council and includes parish council and individual members.
It hosts the ordination reception for new priests, sponsors meetings and retreats, and provides spiritual, leadership, and service opportunities for its members to live their faith.