Vocations Awareness Week is January 10-16, 2010.

ENVIRONMENT (1991)

WHEREAS, our environment suffers a slow death from pollution, waste, and a lack of concern for our wildlife and planet; therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the Council of Catholic Women across the Diocese will make every effort to recycle, become less of a "throw away society," support legislation to help the environment, and do whatever possible to help our planet Earth..

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (1994)

WHEREAS, the ODCCW believes that each individual is a valuable human being who is entitled to a healthy physical, social and psychological development, and

WHEREAS, domestic violence is a sin against the human person and a major social problem which cuts across all racial, religious, ethnic and socioeconomic boundaries and, in most cases, is an abuse of women and children, and

WHEREAS, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, in an attempt to educate, has issued "When I Call For Help," a pastoral response to domestic violence against women; therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the ODCCW will promote the bishops' response, "When I Call For Help," in Council affiliates, churches and communities; and, therefore, be it further

RESOLVED that the ODCCW, in collaboration with other diocesan offices and ministries, will continue to educate both men and women on the issue of domestic violence: and, therefore, be it further

RESOLVED that the ODCCW will address this issue by offering support in work and action to women and families who have suffered abuse and will encourage various Ministerial leaders to address this in homilies and at other appropriate times; and, therefore, be it further

RESOLVED that the ODCCW will advocate, for legislation, which addresses the issue of domestic violence through such measures as assistance to battered women and children, making funding of shelters and educational programs a federal priority.

VIOLENCE IN CHILDREN (1996)

WHEREAS, violent crimes are rising among young children, to the point where eight year and twelve year olds have recently been arrested for beating to near death a four week old baby, and,

WHEREAS, guns are being taken from elementary school children and gangs are directing new members to kill someone as an initiation to the gang, and

WHEREAS, TV, video games, and computer games target our youth with violence as the norm; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Council of Catholic Women will seek neighborhood programs to have mothers who do not work outside of the home be available for latch key children; and, therefore, be it further

RESOLVED that the Council will continue to sponsor and promote the RAINBOW Program for All God's Children in our CCD's and Catholic Schools. This program helps children who have lost a parent through death or divorce; and, therefore, be it further,

RESOLVED that we will challenge sponsors of violent TV programs, TV writers, Video companies and Computer Software companies to take the sex and violence out of programs children watch and use. That we will take whatever steps necessary to see that our youth, our future, grow up in a safe and caring environment with Christian values.

EMPOWERING CATHOLIC WOMEN (1998)

WHEREAS, the Orlando Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (ODCCW) Organization Commission upholds the recommendations of NCCW to support and empower all Catholic women into the next millennium, and

WHEREAS, each of us must grow in commitment, love, and solidarity, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit; therefore, be it

RESOLVED that ODCCW provide protocol, parliamentary procedure, and membership information to its affiliates through workshops, Leadership Symposiums, and communications; and, therefore, be it further

RESOLVED that ODCCW encourage its affiliates to promote and support educational opportunities among their members.

THE ELDERLY (1999)

WHEREAS, the elderly are often neglected and abused, and

WHEREAS, the elderly must be respected as persons, cared for and helped in ways which will promote their rights and ensure their greatest possible physical and spiritual well-being, and

WHEREAS, the elderly must be protected from situations or pressures which could drive them to suicide, and in particular they must be helped to resist the temptation of assisted suicide and euthanasia; therefore, be it

RESOLVED that ODCCW will lobby for and support federal, state, and local policies that will protect the elderly; and, therefore, be it further

RESOLVED that ODCCW will promote programs designed to raise awareness of the plight of the elderly and work for their protection.

COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN (2000)

WHEREAS, "sex tourism" is the exploitation by adults of millions of children in foreign countries as well as in the United States, through prostitution, pornography, and trafficking of children for sexual purposes, and

WHEREAS, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin American countries are known as

the destination for Americans seeking underage sex, and multiple U.S. companies offer "sex tours," and

WHEREAS, the Internet serves as a tool for the distribution of materials featuring on-line child pornography; therefore, be it

RESOLVED that ODCCW pledges to work with such organizations as The Campaign to End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAAT-USA) to stop the sexual exploitation of children through education and the advocacy for stronger international laws eradicating commercial sexual exploitation of children.

FAMILY MORAL ENVIRONMENT (2002)

WHEREAS, the Orlando Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (ODCCW) continues to provide moral support and education to Catholic women in order to promote homes, schools, libraries, playgrounds, commercial spaces, free from the insensitivity to immorality that can destroy the sanctity and solidity of marriage and family, and

WHEREAS, to seek better protection from other environments used by our children and families to be free of media portraying violence, explicit sex, pornography, and indecency; therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the ODCCW continues to work diligently with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Morality in Media, and the National Coalition Against Pornography to educate and to raise awareness of evils from irresponsible media.

OFFER SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ABORTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY (2004)

WHEREAS, more than forty million abortions have occurred since 1973 when abortion on demand was legalized, and

WHEREAS, women and their families have suffered the emotional trauma and sorrow of an abortion, and

WHEREAS, there are individuals unknown to us who are silently suffering who need our understanding and support; therefore, be it

RESOLVED that ODCCW educate the members in ways to reach out and offer assistance and support, including spiritual, financial, and emotional, to these individuals and to programs such as Project Rachel, Project Jericho, and Gabriel Project.

SUPPORTING THE MILITARY (2005)

WHEREAS, many brave men and women have served and are serving in Iraq and some have died in this fight to obtain peace for this troubled country, and

WHEREAS, peace does not come without sacrifice; therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the Orlando Diocesan Council of Catholic Women continues to provide for these men and women with prayers, loving care packages, and moral support for those left at home.

PROTECT THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE  (2006)

WHEREAS, “marriage, as instituted by God, is a faithful, exclusive, lifelong union of a man and a woman joined in an intimate community of life and love" (Between Man and Woman: Questions and Answers About Marriage and Same-Sex Unions, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops [USCCB], 2003), and

WHEREAS, "Marriage is both a natural institution and a sacred union because it is rooted in the divine plan for creation," and in order to uphold God's intent for marriage, in which sexual relations have their proper and exclusive place (Between Man and Woman: Questions and Answers About Marriage and Same-Sex Unions), and

WHEREAS, this defense of the sanctity of marriage offers no form of discrimination to nor a denial of the fundamental human rights for homosexual persons but proclaims as immoral sexual relations outside of the marriage of a man and a woman; therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the Orlando Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (ODCCW) encourage married couples to uphold the dignity of marriage and, by the witness of their faithful, life-giving love, be the best advocates for marriage, and, therefore, be it further

RESOLVED, that ODCCW encourage member participation in state and community by voice and vote to defend marriage as defined by the USCCB in their “Statement Between Man and Woman: Questions and Answers About Marriage and Same-Sex Unions.”

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORLANDO DIOCESAN COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN (Restatement of 2003)

WHEREAS, the women of the ODCCW celebrate the 40th anniversary of the council in this year 2008, and

WHEREAS, the mission of the ODCCW continues to be the education, support, and empowerment of Catholic women in spirituality, leadership, and service; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the women of ODCCW continue to pursue this mission by witnessing to the Gospels through its commissions and other services with dedication; and, therefore, be it further

RESOLVED, that we empower one another to be the best that we can be and encourage and support our members in their accomplishments.