St. Augustine Diocesan Council of Catholic Women at 6501 Waltho Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32277 US - Church Commission

Church Commission Report

St. Augustine Diocesan Council of Catholic Women

2008-2009

If we define Church as the whole body of Catholics you have a much better understanding of the works of this commission.

The ladies of the St. Augustine DCCW have spent the past year being about the business of the “whole body”.  We have continued our monthly priest prayer calendar with the addition this year, listing the prayer intentions of the Pope.  We have also added each priest’s birthday and ordination dates.

Our ladies have made and collected rosaries and prayer blankets distributing them to the local and international “church”.

Council women are seen as religious education teachers, readers and extraordinary ministers in church and to the sick.  They are music ministry, pastoral council members, CRHP, RCIA sponsors, Church Women United, Catholic Woman’s Club, All Saints Auxiliary, ICARE, sponsor couples, altar/rosary society and Bible study participants.

Our ladies have hosted receptions for First Communicants and Confirmandi.  They have purchased gifts for these groups.  They have provided luncheons for grieving families.

WE have promoted our faith through Days of Reflection on the diocesan level, the deanery level and the affiliation level.  Our meetings open and close in prayer.  Creative themed prayer services, biblical readings, meditations, lectio divina and traditional prayers all become part of the “whole body”.

During special church events our council women have organized and participated in May Crowning and Council Sunday liturgies.  By sponsoring the Seder dinner we provide the opportunity for “church” to learn about Jesus’ birth culture.

The use of Mother’s Day cards presents an opportunity for the “whole church” to focus in on the many Mom’s who have raised “church” , promoted “church” and have prayed for the “whole church”.

One of the nicest ways we show our “church” is the traveling Madonna.  This Madonna was a gift from Dominga Bocca, a girl’s orphanage in Ecuador during the spring of 2008.  Each deanery has the privilege of hosting the Madonna at their general meetings.  The Madonna serves as a reminder of what “church” is where it is located and what we of church can do when we all come together and act as one Body of Christ.

DCCW Church Co-Chairs

Julie Rothery and Patty Silva