A small yet meaningful gesture takes place every year at the convention of the Harrisburg Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. One by one, former council presidents place an individual rose into a vase at the foot of the altar, their flowers amassing into a beautiful bouquet that celebrates the gifts of each woman.
The ritual is also a broader symbol of the combined talents, volunteer efforts and works of charity and mercy carried out by all members of the HDCCW over its history.
With the theme of “Faithful Past, Hopeful Future,” the council’s 100th convention connected their yesterdays to their tomorrows, celebrating the contributions of the past and looking forward to new and continued ways of evangelizing.
“Our faithful past continues to be demonstrated by the good works of the Council of Catholic Women, and that is what we are known for,” said HDCCW President Judy Andidora.
Ladies of the council are involved in a litany of spiritual, charitable and educational outreach, including prayerful support of religious vocations, hosting funeral luncheons, donating to pro-life pregnancy centers, speaking out against pornography and human trafficking, making and gifting prayer shawls, visiting the sick, and volunteering in food pantries and soup kitchens.
In addition to their behind-the-scenes work, they also mobilize at the diocese’s 50th Wedding Anniversary Mass and organize an annual summer retreat, a baby shower for pregnancy centers, the Boxes of Joy drive at Christmas, and scholarships for young women entering college.
“Even though it is now over 100 years, our mission to support, empower and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service and to inspire and promote Gospel values in a constantly-changing world is still relevant today,” Andidora said.
Women from across the diocese gathered to celebrate the HDCCW at the convention on April 25, where they found inspiration in several presentations, including one by keynote speaker Kelly Wahlquist of “Women in the New Evangelization.”
In a spirited presentation, Wahlquist shared that evangelization happens in the day-to-day, ordinary aspects of our lives, as she recounted stories of how she often shares the Good News in airports and airplanes while traveling.
“Evangelization really isn’t that hard. It is about one thing and one thing only: love. It’s about loving the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and all your strength, and loving the person sitting across from you enough to share with them the Good News,” she said.
“Jesus has given us the greatest toolkit in order for us to proclaim the Good News. He has given us the sacraments, sacred Scripture, community with one another, and his Spirit. The same Spirit that raises Jesus from the dead lives within us. He has given us charisms not for us, but to build up the kingdom. And he has given us the gifts of feminine genius as women,” she said.
Wahlquist encouraged the women to look to the Blessed Mother as their best example of how to share Jesus with one another, as Mary exudes joy, is filled with the Holy Spirit and says yes to God’s plan.
In his homily during the celebration of Mass, Father Ted Keating, Chaplain of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, echoed the day’s theme of doing the Lord’s work in small ways.
“When we’re in ministry, we often expect that we’re to do big, grandiose things…. But you can make an impact in small things, especially in your families and the relationship you have with your grandchildren,” he said. “What you do might not look like much, but you can use your ordinary work and your lives to make an impact. God works in the ordinary. The small things make all the difference in the world.”
“A very heartfelt thank you for all you do for our diocese, in particular for your parishes…. Our priests still want you and they still need you. The parishes do as well. They are grateful for all you do,” he said.
Catholic women ages 18 and older are considered members of the Council of Catholic Women. To learn more about their activities and outreach, visit www.harrisburgdiocesanccw.com. Learn more about “Women in the New Evangelization” at www.catholicvineyard.com.
(Photos by Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness.)
By Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness
