Venice Diocesan Council of Catholic Women at 111 Tropicana Drive, Punta Gorda , FL 33950 US - NOVEMBER 2009 MESSAGE FROM PATTY JOHNSON, NCCW PRESIDENT
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NOVEMBER 2009 MESSAGE FROM PATTY JOHNSON, NCCW PRESIDENT |
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fyi a message from your President, Patty Johnson
Number 2 – November 2009
I always give thanks to my God for you because of the grace he has given you through Christ Jesus. For in union with Christ you have been richly endowed with every gift. 1Cor:1, 4-5
November is a season of harvest, a time for reflecting on the many blessings we experience within all aspects of our lives. God calls us to share our abundance with those who are hungry; those who need clothing; and who are suffering from sickness, loneliness, isolation, and homelessness. Take time to study and act on the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy as Thanksgiving approaches. Family gatherings will take on special meaning when you have also included your brothers and sisters in need.
NCCW Affiliate Dues Process
The 2010 affiliate dues process has been changed. For most dioceses, 2010 affiliate dues renewal notices will be sent directly to all NCCW affiliates. Diocesan treasurers will not have to distribute dues notices.
Under the new procedure, dues notices will be sent via email to the presidents of those affiliates for whom we have email addresses. If we do not have an email address for a diocese, subdivision or parish on file, the dues renewal notice will be sent regular mail to the attention of the affiliate president. Follow up reminders will also be sent to affiliate presidents whose dues are not received by the January 1, 2010 due date using the same method.
Finally, we have taken another major step to streamline the prompt processing of dues payments. For the first time, all 2010 dues payments will be mailed to a lock box at NCCW’s bank rather than to the NCCW office. Dues payments will be processed upon receipt.
All dues payments should be sent to the lock box address below:
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN
P.O. Box 824096
Philadelphia PA 19182-4096
NOTE: Approximately 18 dioceses have requested a special accommodation this year and have asked to receive their affiliates’ dues notices as a group. In an effort to ease the transition, we are working with these dioceses to ensure the process is smooth and as easy as possible. However, next year all dues notices for 2011 will be sent directly to all affiliates. We will work with these diocesan councils during the spring to ensure this process does not create any problems.
Catholic Relief Services
CRS and NCCW are committed to continue working together and to providing opportunities for ACCWs, DCCWs, parishes, members and individuals to support the existing NCCW funds. As of November 1, 2009, all donations to support the Works of Peace and Reconciliation (Water for Life, Madonna Plan, Help-A-Child and Refugee Women) should be payable to Catholic Relief Services. On the memo line, please write NCCW and the name of the particular fund and send your donation directly to:
Catholic Relief Services
NCCW-Works of Peace and Reconciliation
P. O. Box 17090
Baltimore, MD 21203-7090
If you have any questions about our partnership or the change in the donation submission process, please do not hesitate to contact Joanne Dunne at NCCW at (703) 224-0990 or jdunne@nccw.org or Kimberly Mazyck at CRS at 410.951.7424 or kmazyck@crs.org.
NCCW Day of Prayer and Fasting to End World Hunger
This day is observed annually on the Thursday before Thanksgiving. This year that day falls on November 19th. Use this day or another within the week to pray specifically for those who are hungry and to fast from food or another specific item or habit. Make a charitable donation for your sacrifice. Bring awareness to others of the many who do not have enough food to eat. Work to make hunger and poverty a thing of the past.
NCCW Office Operation Staff Changes
Annette Perry retired from NCCW on November 6, 2009 after 13 years of service. Annette has been a tremendous asset to the organization and she will be missed dearly. Bob Giusti who has served as NCCW’s part-time contract bookkeeper for the past several years will conclude his work this week. Going forward, NCCW’s accounting activities will be handled through an outsource contract with Tate & Tryon, an accounting firm in Washington, DC that specializes in non-profit and association accounting. During the past year and a half, three (3) NCCW staff members have retired and one (1) staff and two (2) contractor positions have been eliminated.
We are exploring ways to reduce our lease costs. Joanne Dunne has spoken with the CFO for the Diocese of Arlington, Timothy Cotnoir. He understands NCCW’s desire to reduce NCCW office space and rental expense and he has indicated their desire to work with us.
Database and IT update
Programming has been done to enable staff to use Outlook to communicate with members directly from the database. This function is currently being used to email dues notices to the affiliates and eventually will be used for individual membership renewals and reminders.
Military Council of Catholic Women
Your most fervent prayers are sought for members of the military and their families. Susan Boling, NCCW Board Member representing the MCCW, states continued frequent deployments are stressing the service members, their families, and their marriages. Also pray that Bishops across the US will “loan” priests to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, as this is how priests come into the military. The current shortage is so acute that many of our many service members in deployed locations go weeks without being able to partake in Eucharist and/or Liturgy.
NCCW Convention follow-up
Those attending the NCCW convention banquet enjoyed a beautiful musical program presented by council member, Mary Galvano. Those interested in her sheet music or recorded music may contact Mary on her website at www.marygalvano.com or e-mail her at mary@marygalvano.com
Leadership Training Development Announces Newest Member
The National Council of Catholic Women’s Leadership Training Development (LTD) Team is proud to announce its newest member, Ellen Bachman, a past NCCW President. During her term of office, Ellen commissioned seven women to bring reality to a dream of once again having an NCCW Leadership Program. That appointed team created and authored the LTD Program. Team members petitioned for Ellen to join then but her commitment to NCCW as President and then immediate Past President did not allow her the time to become involved. When her prior commitments ended, the team again requested her involvement. Because of her vision, creativity and leadership skills, Ellen will truly be an asset to the future of this leadership endeavor. As the LTD program continues to be presented across the nation, it will add more trainers as time progresses. The goal of the program is to enhance the personal and leadership skills of women while enriching their spiritual growth. To learn about scheduling an LTD program in your area e-mail LTDTeamChair@q.com
New Commission Structure The new bylaws include the creation of three (3) commissions: Spirituality, Leadership and Service. The previous commissions will be consolidated into these new Commissions. Church and Legislation will be consolidated under Spirituality; Organization will move under Leadership; and Family, Community, and International Concerns will be consolidated under Service. These new Commissions will allow NCCW to address issues in a more focused and efficient manner. The Commissions will meet in January during the Board of Directors meeting in Washington, DC and will finalize their signature programs for 2010.
NCCW Individual Membership
Together we can do so much more. Share the spiritual enrichment, the fellowship and the opportunities for personal growth that makes the National Council of Catholic Women the perfect organization for every Catholic Woman. Make a plan to enroll two (2) new NCCW individual members from each NCCW affiliate before Christmas. This would be a wonderful gift to the new member and to NCCW if each DCCW, each District CCW and each Parish CCW would accomplish the goal of two new members before the year ends. We must broaden our membership, and the current members are the ones who can do it the best. Strengthen our message, expand our influence and intensify our impact. Invite more women to be counted in the membership of the National Council of Catholic Women.
Beginning in November and continuing quarterly, Diocesan Presidents will be e-mailed a listing of all NCCW individual members residing within their Diocese. This list will provide the name, parish and renewal date of each NCCW member. This new process will assist membership chairs on every level of council to identify their members and to assist with renewals. It will also provide opportunities for affiliations to give recognition and honor to those extending their Council membership to the National level.
Blessings from our NCCW Moderator, Monsignor Robert Servatius
At our recent convention in Jacksonville, some new directions were set to solidify the future of NCCW. At the ordination of a priest, the Bishop addresses the newly ordained by praying that God Who has begun this work in him will bring it to fulfillment. I pray for God’s blessings upon NCCW, especially its leadership, that He will grant His graces that the new course set by NCCW will lead to strong, healthy and stable national, arch/diocesan and local councils to benefit Catholic women nationwide, thus enhancing the mission and ministry of the Church.
United States Catholic Conference of Bishops Meeting
During the USCCB meeting to be held in Baltimore November 16th -19th, the Bishops’ Conference plans to review current efforts to defend marriage, including initiatives such as a new set of videos on parenthood, sexual compatibility and family. The initiative also encompasses the development of a pastoral statement, "Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan," and a website called "For Your Marriage." Aside from marriage, the other priorities of the conference are focusing on faith formation and sacramental practice, vocations to the priesthood and religious life, the life and dignity of the human person, and cultural diversity -- with particular emphasis on Hispanics. After your president attends this meeting, a detailed report will be provided in the December FYI.
Faithful Citizenship
Participation in the political process is a moral responsibility for all Catholics. The Bishops of the United States strongly support genuine health care reform that protects the life and dignity of all, from the moment of conception until natural death. However, all current bills are seriously deficient on abortion and conscience rights, and do not yet provide adequate access to health care for immigrants and the poor. Never give up; we can make a difference. It is extremely easy to send a message to all of your legislators from the home page of the USCCB website. While congress is debating health care reform legislation, pray fervently every day, raise your voices to your legislators, and stay informed so that you are able to prudently discuss the issues with friends and neighbors. Lord, we pray that Congress will act to ensure that needed health care reform will truly protect all life.
Catholic Social Ministry Gathering
This conference is scheduled from February 7 – 10, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. The theme is “Charity in Truth: Seeking the Common Good.” This gathering brings together 19 leading Catholic Social Ministry National Organizations to explore common issues and concerns of global and domestic policies on life, justice and peace that challenge our nation and world. A center piece of the gathering will be an afternoon on Capitol Hill where attendees will bring their concerns about policies affecting women and children, and those who are poor and vulnerable, to the Federal legislators. Early registration is December 15, 2009. Seek out who may be attending from your Diocese and make plans to have Council representation also. Go to www.usccb.org and use the search block on the home page to link to Catholic Social Ministry Gathering for information and registration.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN
200 North Glebe Road, Suite 703, Arlington, VA 22203
Tel: (703) 224-0990; Fax: (703) 224-0991
nccw01@nccw.org