National Council of Catholic Women at 200 N. Glebe Road, Suite 703, Arlington, VA 22203 US - Ten Things The Church Commission Chair Can Do

1.        Pray, Pray, Pray.  Pray for yourself, for your affiliate, for your Board of Directors, and for the National Council of Catholic Women:  If you are a woman of prayer, you will find the strength you need to accomplish the work you have been given.  This is also the way you will know that you are doing the work you have been called by God to do.

2.        Review what has been done in the Church Commission and then set goals for your term:  Building on what has been done allows you to move forward more quickly.  Keep your goals in mind and you will have a sense of direction.

3.        Become familiar with the Liturgy of the Hours:  Utilize the prayer given to us by the Church—the Liturgy of the Hours—to stay “in tune” with the whole Church.  There are many resources to help you learn this beautiful prayer.  This could become the standard prayer for your board meetings.

4.        Pray for an increase of vocations:  Organize and sponsor a holy hour (including vespers) and adoration for vocations during this year.  Discuss with your CCW group possible dates.  Determine, with the assistance of the Parish moderator the date and manner of celebration.  Publicize the prayer service in your parish bulletin.  Encourage the women of your parish affiliate to attend.

5.        Religious Articles Sale:  Organize and sponsor a Religious Articles Sale in your parish or diocese this year.  This helps to make religious materials available in convenient format.

6.        Facilitate a spiritual retreat for board members:  This time of prayer is the example given to us by Jesus as he embarked on new ventures.  You may wish to extend an invitation to other interested women.

7.        Enhance the profile of your A/DCCW:  Publicize the efforts of your council in parish bulletins, local newspapers, and diocesan newspapers.  Introduce (or reintroduce) Council Sunday.  Check with NCCW for information regarding this October celebration.

8.        Seek information:  Make sure that you receive a copy of the current Commission Resource Packet (all A/DCCW Presidents receive a copy at or after General Assembly).  Visit relevant web sites for current information (e.g.:  Vatican website and the USCCB websites).  Read, Read, Read.   Become familiar with the NCCW Annual Commission Report format.  Ask for a copy of previously submitted reports.

9.        Share information:  Disseminate information through all rings of council.  Create an e-mail directory of church commission chairs in the diocese, and establish regular patterns of (two way) communication.  Even in this day of emails, sometimes it is good to pick up the phone and call someone.  Then you can not only share good ideas, but you can respond immediately to one another.

10.    Keep good records of:  Local and national contacts; initiatives and programs; timelines and organization records for A/DCCW events.  Pass on this information to the new Church Commission Chair when you complete your term.