the LEADERSHIP SERVICE SPIRITUALITY NCCW OVERVIEW Review of organization and current news Pages 14-16

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1 the LINK The Official Publication of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women Volume 61, No. 3 July 2018 OUTSTANDING WOMAN OF IOWA Congratulations to Mary Esther Pullin! Page 7 JOIN THE MOVEMENT NCCW works to end human trafficking Page 11 NCCW OVERVIEW Review of organization and current news Pages LEADERSHIP SERVICE SPIRITUALITY 1

2 2018 ARCHDIOCESAN COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS EMPOWER EDUCATE SUPPORT SPIRITUALITY LEADERSHIP S E R V I C E EPISCOPAL CHAIR Most Rev. Michael Jackels, STD Archbishop of Dubuque PO Box 479 Dubuque, IA SPIRITUAL ADVISOR Rev. Daniel J. Knipper Valley Drive #24 Decorah, IA dbqknipper@dbqarch.org ACCW PRESIDENT Sheila Rassman County Road B 16 Calmar, IA Sheilarass4life7@yahoo.com VICE PRESIDENT Yvonne Kisch Quail Ave Charles City, IA Maggie.may.ia24@gmail.com PRESIDENT ELECT Florine Swanson th St. Galt, IA Florineswanson@gmail.com PROVINCE DIRECTOR Alma Meyer Whitman Avenue Marion, IA ampmeyer@gmail.com SECRETARY Sue Kuennen Massman Harding Rd. Elgin, IA Susan.kuennen@yahoo.com TREASURER Mary Esther Pullin W Shaulis Road Waterloo, IA Ron.marypullin@mchsi.com PARLIAMENTARIAN Rozena E. McVey Pershing St. Walker, IA rozenam@aol.com DECORAH DEANERY: Mary Rausch Box 37 Fort Atkinson, IA rauschm@acwgroup.cc MARSHALLTOWN DEANERY: Monica Fulton W Church Marshalltown, IA Flutist1956@hotmail.com NEW HAMPTON DEANERY: Yvonne Kisch Quail Ave Charles City, IA Maggie.mayia24@gmail.com WATERLOO DEANERY: Margaret Babinat Highway E 36 Clutier IA margaretaeb@yahoo.com 2

3 2018 ARCHDIOCESAN COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN COMMISSIONS/COMMITTEES SERVICE COMMISSION Co-chair: Helen Pinter th St., Fort Atkinson, IA Co-chair: Nancy Steffen PO Box Lafayette Rd Raymond, IA nsteffen@mchsi.com Co-chair: Margaret Babinat or Hwy E-36, Clutier, IA margaretaeb@yahoo.com Layettes: Yvonne Kisch Mission work: Sue Martinek Worthington Dr. SW Cedar Rapids, IA susjmar@aol.com Photographer: Rosemary Knox rd Ave NW, Waucoma, IA hssweethearts@iowatelecom.net Publicist for The Link: Rose Ann Jero Edgebrook Drive Marshalltown, IA lljero@centurylink.net SPIRITUALITY COMMISSION Co-chair/Women s conference: Joanne Pohland Cell Work ext Cashel Drive E., Peosta, IA joannejpohland@gmail.com Co-chair: Sheila Rassman or Music/liturgy: Sheila Rassman or Legislation Co-chair: Mary Gansen or th Ave. SE, Cresco, IA mgansen@windstream.net Co-chair: Maxine Balk th St., Waucoma, IA maxinedre@hotmail.com Legislative co-chair: Marlene Mangrich Stevens St., Jesup, IA jmmangrich@jtt.net Respect Life: Ellen Markham Geraldine Dr., Dubuque, IA elmarkham@mchsi.com Youth Awards / Stoles: Ann Dietrich th Street, Earlville, IA accwann@gmail.com Seven Sisters of the Apostolate Ministry Phyllis Einwalter th Avenue Fort Atkinson, IA phylliseinwalter@yahoo.com LEADERSHIP COMMISSION Co-chair: Florine Swanson Co-chair: Mary Rausch Box 37, Fort Atkinson, IA rauschm@acegroup.cc Silent Auction Chair: Lois Ruff: Anita Adams: Helen Finn: Elaine Hoffman: Publicity: Alma Meyer Historian: Mary Tritz Birch Street, Dubuque, IA 5200l Nominating Committee: Florine Swanson Sue Martinek Cindy Mary Marlene Mangrich Trip Committee: Fr. Dan Knipper Phyllis Einwalter Sheila Rassman The Dubuque Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW) is a volunteer organization for women. We are united for apostolic action at the request of the Archbishop of Dubuque. We are affiliated with the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) and World Union of Catholic Women s Organizations (WUCWO). We are a voice for the women of the Dubuque Archdiocese to speak and act as a unit on matters of mutual interest. Dubuque ACCW Office 1229 Mt. Loretta Dubuque, IA President: Sheila Rassman 3298 County Road B 16 Calmar, IA

4 Dear Sisters in Christ, Summer is a welcome break from the usual structure and routine of the rest of the year and I hope you are enjoying it. I have to admit that it is different not having my mother here to spend the summer with, mom loved the summer months, especially, watermelon, fresh sweetcorn and the warm sunshine. I hope that all of you are finding ways to continue to nurture your relationship with Our Lord. I m reading a book for my spiritual study, Life of Christ, a gifted work by Archbishop Fulton Sheen that encourages us to contemplate the life of our Savior, drawing from Him strength, light and serenity. Our Lord taught, I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. Jn 15:5 He spoke this so that His joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Jn 15:11. You must surely understand this teaching and live by it as evidenced by the joy, passion and faithfulness that is witnessed at our ACCW gatherings/ meetings and the many other areas of our busy lives. It s a blessing to see the Holy Spirit at work in you. Each of you in your own special way contribute so beautifully to building up Christ s Kingdom here on earth. I am truly humbled at the generosity of Our Lord in allowing me to be a part of such a wonderful organization. Contrary to popular beliefs, members of the Council of Catholic Women are not all old, wives, widows, mothers, or grandmothers, but we all share the same primary and principle vocation, that of Christian women, adopted daughters of God, who are called to express Christ in our own lives, that permits our holiness to grow. We are called to have Christ at the center of our lives. To know, to love, and to serve Him. When we persevere in the deepening of our interior life, a joyful awareness of Christ s presence within us leads us in our thoughts, words and activities throughout each moment of the day. I hope and pray that you will find His faithful love and presence in many beautiful ways in these remaining weeks of summer and I ask for your continued prayers for the ACCW and its members, especially through the intercession of our patroness, Our Lady of Good Counsel. May God richly bless you and your families. In Christ Jesus, Sheila Rassman NCCW 2018 CONVENTION Celebrate NCCW s 98th year at the 2018 Convention Pittsburgh, PA August 29 September 1 Join with Council sisters from across the country to pray, laugh and learn together. AWAKEN your knowledge of Council, ENGAGE in the many learning and fun activities, REFLECT on God s joy as we REJOICE in being part of the National Council of Catholic Women. Keynote speakers include the Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, bishop of Bridgeport; Holly Joy McIlwain; Gina Loehr; and Bob Rice. The Friday night Fundraiser is with the Tamburitzans. For more information, please call

5 What To Do When God Is... Missing I write this article as I contemplate the causes of mass murders through knifings, trucks and cars running through crowds of people, bombings and shootings. It seems like these types of horrific acts have been present in various cultures for many centuries as we read about them in ancient history including the Bible. Let me make it clear that history does not justify any of these acts. The reaction and solutions to these horrific acts include getting rid of guns, have teachers carry side arms in school, have more police in schools, pass more laws, have more counseling available, enforce laws that are already on the books and the list goes on. What I find missing in all these suggestions is God, the gift of life from God, respect for that gift given us from God, the Commandments given us by God that spell out the laws for a just and loving society especially the 5th Commandment, the general law of the Old Testament and renewed by Jesus when he answered a question by saying Treat others as you would have them treat you. I also propose the need to instill within our communities the real reason why we were created (from the Baltimore Catechism) God created us to know Him, to love Him, to serve Him in this life and to be with Him for all eternity (heaven) in the life to come. This all presupposes that there is the opposite of heaven which is hell for those who do not follow God s law. Fr. Daniel Knipper, ACCW Spiritual Advisor Teach them why God made them! Teach them the 10 Commandments and especially the 5th Commandment and its ramifications! Instill within them a respect for human life at all ages and stages! Be active within the parish community and especially attending Mass where we find the Food of Life and the Truth! Be leaders of prayer invoking often the help of the Queen of Peace and her Son Jesus who is Peace! Demand that our educational systems from preschool through graduate school teach, promote and exhibit through their actions an ethical respect for all human life. I ask that all ACCW members, all women and all men even though you are not an ACCW member to carry out the following in your lives and the precious life of those around you and especially your children: Teach them why God made them! Teach them the 10 Commandments and especially the 5th Commandment and its ramifications! Instill within them a respect for human life at all ages and stages! I remember a priest friend of mine (who died some years ago) who said at the time of the legalization of abortion: Now that abortion has been legalized we will find all kinds of murder being performed because if we cannot protect the life of the most innocent then many people will think why should life be protected at any other age or stage. With that thought process they will determine who should live or die without respect for human life and God s will ever entering into their action. Think about how prophetic those words were and are! Be active within the parish community and especially attending Mass where we find the Food of Life and the Truth! Be leaders of prayer invoking often the help of the Queen of Peace and her Son Jesus who is Peace! Demand that our educational systems from pre-school through graduate school teach, promote and exhibit through their actions an ethical respect for all human life. 5

6 Women s Conference: Beauty In Christ BUILDING A TEAM Mark your calendars and save the date for the Archdiocese of Dubuque Women s Conference Beauty In Christ to be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Cedar Rapids. The speakers will be Donna-Marie Cooper O Boyle and Kate Wicker! The day will include Mass with Archbishop Jackels. Donna-Marie Cooper O Boyle (pictured far left) is a wife, mother and grandmother, and passionate about sharing the Faith. She served as a catechist for thirty years, is a retreat leader, a pilgrimage leader, and an award-winning author of more than twenty-five books. Her memoir is entitled The Kiss of Jesus in which she shares her crooked path and God s great mercy. She s also an award-winning journalist, international speaker, and the EWTN television host and creator of Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms, Catholic Mom s Café, and Feeding Your Family s Soul. Donna-Marie enjoyed a decade-long friendship with Saint Teresa of Calcutta and her spiritual director was Servant of God John A. Hardon, S.J., Invited by the Holy See, Donna-Marie participated in an international congress at the Vatican and received apostolic blessings on her books and work and a special blessing from Saint John Paul II for her work on Mother Teresa. Kate Wicker (pictured above, right) is a Catholic wife, mom of five, recovering perfectionist, and the author of Getting Past Perfect: How to Find Joy & Grace in the Messiness of Motherhood and Weightless: Making Peace with Your Body. Getting Past Perfect was recently honored with a 2018 Catholic Press Association Award. Kate also has a novel in the works. Kate is a regular contributor to Relevant Radio, the Spirit in the Morning Show, Catholic Digest, and she writes devotionals for Take Up & Read, a ministry dedicated to inviting women to read, ponder, and to respond to the Word of God. Plan now to attend this awesome conference and invite a friend to join you! Florine Swanson, President Elect Sports provide lots of analogies for other things we do. And that is particularly true for putting together a leadership team. As a high school student I played on the Norway Tigers softball team. I started in right field and as a pinch runner. By my senior year I had moved to shortstop and was batting left handed so I had a better chance of getting on base to utilize my speed. As the President Elect I m put in the position of putting together a team for the Dubuque ACCW that will serve and work together for the next two years. Each person brings with them their unique talents that can bring value to the organization. Often members don t recognize those talents or aren t willing to say YES. But Spirit driven people are YES people and we are blessed for their acceptance to serve. There are those who are in the key positions on the field, the Executive Committee. But those who are on the bench of the three commissions of leadership, spirituality and service or those in the stands serving at the deanery or parish level are critical to the success of the team as well. Usually a pitcher doesn t want to have someone hit the ball, but in my case, I hope that everyone who comes up to bat hits a home run. 6

7 Mary Esther Pullin: Outstanding Woman of Iowa! In May, Dubuque ACCW treasurer Mary Esther Pullin was named an Outstanding Woman of Iowa at a program held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Waterloo. She was recognized among a field of individuals selected to appear in the 2018 Iowa Women s Foundation s publication Ovation: A Tribute to Iowa Women and Girls. The book, which has been published for the past five years, was developed by the Iowa Women s Foundation and pays tribute to women for the profound impact they have had on their families communities, friends, and companies. The women are considered wonderful examples of mentors, advocates and role models. The Iowa Women s Foundation is committed to improving the lives of Iowa s women and girls through a diversified mix of funding and action. The Ovation book is one avenue of fund raising that impacts the work of enhancing and improving women s economic self-sufficiency. For more information, go to Congratulations, Mary Esther! Vice President Report Yvonne Kisch On behalf of the Dubuque ACCW, throughout the year the vice president is responsible to send greeting cards to observe special events. At Easter, 95 permanent deacons, received Easter cards from the ACCW, with messages of thanks for their works and promises of prayers on their behalf from us. Please remember these men in your prayers for their much--needed service to our church. At ordination time this year, we had five seminarians who are receiving cards of congratulations on being ordained as a transitional deacon, again with promises on our part of remembering them in their journey to become priests next year. This year we had two seminarians ordained to the priesthood, who also receive a congratulatory card with a monetary gift and, again on the part of all members, prayers asking God s blessings on them. Many other cards will be sent during the year to the Archbishop, and other priests, nuns for occasions of birthdays and anniversaries. Please give thanks and ask God s blessings on these as we go throughout our year. (Photo by Deacon James Pfaffly) 7

8 The National Council of Catholic Women, The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and The Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary are working together, with direction from the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking on an Ü Human trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for involuntary labor or service. Ü Trafficking victims live among us. They may be growing our food, making our clothes, serving in restaurants or nail salons and building our electronic devices. Ü Human trafficking is a $150 billion criminal industry. Traffickers use violence, deception, threats and other means to keep people in bondage against their will. Our project has five pathways to provide awareness of this terrible scourge on human dignity, to assist survivors of trafficking, and to work to end Human Trafficking: EDUCATION using resources available from the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking found on their website: org and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: We also encourage you to have survivors of trafficking or law enforcement officials dealing with human trafficking speak at your meetings. MENTORING to keep at risk youth from being trafficked. Information on mentoring training and suggestions on where to find a young person to mentor is found at PROVISION OF ITEMS NEEDED AT HOMES FOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS: If you currently assist any agencies involved with Human Human Trafficking is an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ. It is crime against humanity. -Pope Francis 8 Trafficking, please share this information on the HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROJECT TRACKING FORM. The U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking have provided a list of items needed at homes around the country so you can assist in the area nearest to you. The current list is found on the NCCW website: If you are not near any of these locations, please check with your local Catholic Charities to find ways to assist with this project in your area. ADVOCATE by contacting your legislators and voicing your support for laws that protect our young from being trafficked and that prevent trafficked persons from prosecution. PRAY to end Human Trafficking. As Catholic women we can make such a difference through our united prayer, advocacy, and action. Please join us in this project to end the horror of Human Trafficking. Please fill out the Anti-Trafficking Project Tracking Form on the back.

9 Human Trafficking Project Tracking Form NAME (individual or affiliate): If affiliate: Number of members involved in project: ADDRESS: ORGANIZATION: NCCW CD of A KPCLA PARISH/DIOCESE: TIME PERIOD COVERED BY THIS REPORT: Please share how you have assisted: EDUCATION: Speakers at meetings, sharing resources on fighting HT at meetings, etc. MENTORING: Hours spent mentoring + any other pertinent information you would like to share: PROVISION OF ITEMS TO HOMES FOR HT SURVIVORS: Please note type of item, # donated, where donated and approx. value (Example: 4 gas cards $20 each donated to XYZ Home in ABC, CT): ADVOCACY EFFORTS MADE: OTHER: Thank you and bless you for your participation in this important project to affirm and ensure the dignity of all persons. Please return this form to: NCCW Office -HT Project 200 N Glebe Road Arlington, VA Or via to: nccw01@nccw.org Anti-Trafficking Project 9

10 ARCHDIOCESAN COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN 58 th Annual Convention Reflecting God s Joy: Missionary Disciples - Mission Possible! Come magnify the Lord with me - Psalm 34:4 Saturday - October 13, 2018 St. Gabriel Church U Ave. Reinbeck, IA 5066 AGENDA 8:00 a.m. Registration, Continental breakfast, Spirituality, Leadership, Service Commission tables, displays, silent auction, fellowship. Attendees are invited to bring items for the silent auction. 9:00 a.m. Call to Order and Business meeting - refer to convention booklet of annual reports. 11:00 a.m. Mass: Archbishop Michael Jackels, Rev. Daniel Knipper, & guest priests. 12:00 p.m.: Dinner: Group photos Speakers: Service: - Honoring past ACCW members Remembrance 3:30 p.m. Closing remarks, Final blessing and send off. For more information call Sheila Rassman or sheilarass4life7@yahoo.com REGISTRATION: $20 before October 1st - $25 after October 1st. Priests and religious are welcome to attend as guests of the ACCW but registration is still required. Registration fee includes continental breakfast, dinner and convention materials. Name: Address: Phone: Parish: Gluten-Free: Yes: No: Current member affiliation: Individual: Parish: NCCW: Voting delegate, please check: Yes: No: 10 Attach check payable to: Dubuque ACCW and mail to: Mary Esther Pullin by October 1st 2185 West Shaulis Rd Waterloo, IA For more details or information contact Sheila Rassman : or s_rassman@yahoo.com

11 JOIN THE MOVEMENT Create a Tipping Point to End Human Trafficking Sister Linda Haydock, SNJM On the first every Sunday of the month for ten years we Catholic Sisters and our companions stand and pray to end the trafficking of over of over 40 million women, children and men. It s said that statistics are faces with the tears wiped away. We will stand, advocate and work until the face of human trafficking is revealed as the modern day slavery it is and brought to an end. Why would people stand in silent vigil every month for ten years? We feel called, compelled and have a conviction that every action we take to witness against the injustice and indignity of human trafficking makes a difference. While we advocate and educate we stand in silent vigil. We hold companies accountable for trafficking in their supply chains, and we vigil. As we form committees and coalitions we vigil. As we accompany and support survivors we vigil. Rain, shine or snow we stand in the heart of downtown Seattle at Westlake Park. This small urban gathering place for the community is also a hub of human trafficking, law enforcement officers tell us. Throughout the years we have had every encounter imaginable with passersby. Many walk by without even a glance, but many more come to a new awareness of the human trafficking taking place in our midst. From photo journalists to the state attorney general, we enlist them to act end human trafficking as we give public witness. Survivors thank us and students stand with us. Retired sisters unable to stand, join us in their chapels. Every time I join in community at Westlake Park it is a new opportunity to deepen my commitment to give what I can and to do what must be done for the sake of the whole human community. There are more laws now, more organizations addressing human trafficking, more companies aware and addressing the situation, and much more public consciousness of the need to end the exploitation of human beings. When will we reach the tipping point where survivors outnumber the persons trafficked and slavery is no more? I can t tell you how many more vigils we will hold or when we will celebrate the end of trafficking, but I can tell you as long as there are Catholic Sisters and human trafficking exists we will stand strong on every corner and commit ourselves to every effort to end human trafficking. Prayer to End TRAFFICKING Loving Father, We seek your divine protection for all who are exploited and enslaved. For those forced into labor, trafficked into sexual slavery, and denied freedom. We beseech you to release them from their chains. Grant them protection, safety, and empowerment. Restore their dignity and provide them a new beginning. Show us how we might end exploitation by addressing its causes. Help us reach out in support of victims and survivors of human trafficking. Make us instruments of your spirit for their liberation. For this we pray through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen (From USCCB handout for World Day of Peace 2015) The movement is growing. Fifteen states and three Canadian Provinces hold vigils. What if we doubled the number of vigils this year? If every city in North American joined the sisters for half an hour on the first Sunday of the month it would signal that we are well on our way to that tipping point to end human trafficking. 11

12 Respect Life Updates Ellen Markham 50 th anniversary of Humanae Vitae (HV) (Pope Paul VI, June 25, 2018). Human Life International has a free e-book on the Church s teaching on Contraception ( If you have never read/studied HV and Casti Cannubii (Pope Pius XI, December 31, 1930) now is the time! Title X Distribution of Funds On Friday, May 18, 2018 President Trump announced changes to the way Title X funds would be distributed. The Trump/Reagan Policy (now called the Protect Life Rule) made changes that ensure taxpayers don t fund, facilitate or promote abortion through its family planning program. Created in 1970, Title X of the Public Health Services Act allowed tax funding of voluntary family planning projects; excluding abortion. But as implemented, abortions were included. In 1988, under President Reagan abortion facilities had to be separated from family planning facilities in order to receive funds. President Clinton reversed that decision by executive order and also required anyone receiving funds MUST refer for abortion if they didn t provide them. in the Senate, exceptions were allowed in the cases of rape and incest. The law goes into effect on July 1. On Tuesday, May 15th, PP of the Heartland, the ACLU and Emma Goldman Clinic sued in Polk County District Court aiming to stop implementation before the law takes effect and ultimately to strike it down completely. By suing in state court rather than federal they reduce the chance that the case could get to the Supreme Court, thus challenging Roe v. Wade- a hoped for result on the part of the pro-life community. The office of Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said it would disqualify itself from defending the fetal heartbeat law in court, citing he could not zealously assert the state s position because of his core belief that the statute, if upheld, would undermine rights and protections for women. Both the Thomas More Society and Liberty Counsel offered to defend the legislation free of charge. The Thomas More Society will defend the law on behalf of the state. 12 The new rule will physically separate family planning clinics from abortion facilities, safeguard the conscience rights of providers (eliminating referrals for abortion), and will NOT prohibit counselling for abortion. It will also require recipients to document how they follow state laws on reporting suspected cases of sexual assault, rape & incest. PP would not be defunded but would need to separate abortion from their other services. Last year Trump signed a repeal that prohibited states from denying funds to health clinics solely based on them providing abortions. He also reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy (no federal money to foreign agencies that promote or provide abortions) and cut funding to the UNFPA over its support for the Chinese population control program. The Heartbeat Bill Iowa lawmakers passed (House 51-46, Senate 29-17) the Heartbeat Bill which was signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds on Friday, May 4th. The law prohibits abortion once a heartbeat is detected (on a required ultrasound), usually around 6 weeks of pregnancy; and it prohibits anyone from acquiring, providing, receiving, transferring or using a fetal part in Iowa. Before passing

13 Province Director Alma Meyer As one of her goals, Province Director Alma Meyer uses opportunities to educate the women of the Archdiocese about the National Council of Catholic Women. On pages she has provided information on the structure of National Council of Catholic Women. On page 16 she provided information on what the NCCW is currently doing including new programs, continued international outreach, service opportunities and advocacy efforts. Watch for more opportunities to learn about your women s organization in coming issues of The Link. Learn more about the NCCW at nccw.org or the ACCW at ACCW. 13

14 HOW WE ARE ORGANIZED How We Are 6 Organized STRUCTURE: The structure of The National Council of Catholic Women follows the Provincial structure of the U.S. Bishops. An Ecclesiastical Province includes one archdiocese and all the dioceses under the leadership of the Metropolitan (Archbishop). Each province chooses a Director from its local CCW leadership to serve on the NCCW Board of Directors. Province Directors and the elected officers are the voting members of the National Board of Directors of NCCW. NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS National Officers Province Directors National Staff (support and reporting only) The National Council of Catholic Women elects its leadership (officers) through an electronic at-large vote of the membership. All members, both NCCW individual members and Affiliates, are eligible to vote. MEMBERSHIP There are two types of membership; Affiliate members and Individual Members. Both join and pay dues to NCCW. Affiliates are any group of Catholic women in the parish, deanery/vicariate/district, Archdiocese/Diocese. An NCCW Individual Member is any Catholic woman in the United States. Often, individual members ALSO belong to a local parish affiliation, but this is not required---membership is open to any Catholic woman in the United States. Each level of Council plays an important part in the mission of NCCW. COMMUNICATION: NCCW has a multi-leveled structure of communication which connects all levels and allows for information to flow in both directions. When all levels are active, the organizational structure is efficient and effective. (Please refer to the chart on the next page.) CONNECT, a monthly electronic newsletter; the NCCW Website; our quarterly magazine, Catholic Woman, and e-blasts are the primary way national leaders communicate with the membership. Affiliate Presidents and Individual NCCW members receive these publications as a benefit of membership dues. Some provinces and many Arch/Diocesan CCW Affiliates also have newsletters and websites to disseminate information. 14 For more information Visit nccw.org Material may be reproduced if credit is given to NCCW. Material reprinted with permission from NCCW. NCCW.org

15 7 Information flows in both directions The National CCW is responsible for policy, governance and direction. The Province CCW allows for regional input into the national discussion and decisions on issues, concerns, programs and initiatives. Archdiocesan and Diocesan CCW Affiliates are where the action begins and the issues, concerns, and programs of NCCW and the local diocese are implemented. The Deanery/Vicariate/District CCW Affiliates provide a more local level and opportunities for leadership development as well as a conduit for information. The Parish CCW affiliate is the heart of the organization, where the programs change lives, the issues have faces, and the initiatives become a reality. Individual members and CCW groups/affiliates at all levels may submit issues/topics for consideration and acceptance as resolutions at the Annual Meeting at the National Convention. For more information Visit nccw.org Material Material may be reproduced reprinted with if credit permission given from to NCCW. NCCW.org 15

16 WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW! What We Are 4 Doing Now! As we approach the 100 th Birthday of the National Council of Catholic Women in 2020, we are proud of our history and accomplishments. We are also excited about new programs, continued international outreach, service opportunities, and the advocacy efforts of our membership today. We anticipate a future of continued leadership in the Church---and we hope YOU will join us. Catholic Woman, the magazine of the National Council of Catholic Women, is published quarterly and sent to all individual NCCW members and presidents of all affiliate levels. The NCCW website offers a wealth of material including general information, membership opportunities, events, resources, press releases and online shopping. CONNECT is our monthly electronic newsletter, arriving in your inbox, with timely information and inspiration. All individual NCCW members and all affiliate level presidents receive CONNECT. NCCW Programs, which respond to the needs of the Church and society, are now available to download (free) from the NCCW website for example: We are Called to Witness! New Evangelization Program Women Healing the Wounds, Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Program Media: What is the Message? Program alerting individuals and families its harmful effects Spiritual Adoption of the Unborn Program of prayer and support Mary s Mantle Program for brides and grooms designed to strengthen marriage Prayer to End World Hunger annual event in November Monthly leadership and advocacy Conference Calls on varied topics are open to all and give members from across the country an opportunity to learn and share with each other. An Annual Convention is held each fall in different locations throughout the United States. Conventions offer members inspiring liturgies, nationally recognized speakers, workshops, and the sisterhood of being together and forming new friendships. Communication is used at every level to keep members connected and informed. also allows us the privilege of praying for each other across the country. National Service Projects, organized through the Service Commission, offer a united opportunity and a huge impact. In addition, at each Convention there is a special charitable collection for a local organization or facility. Cross International Mission Trips enable members to see first-hand where our contributions are making a difference in the world. (Participation is personally financed, contributions are never used.) Catholic Relief Services Partnership Programs: Members continue to support Water for Life, Madonna Plan, Help-A-Child Global and the Refugee Women Emergency Fund meeting the needs of women and children throughout the world. NCCW is a full rights voting member of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO) and our representative serves on the WUCWO Board of Directors. 16 For more information Visit nccw.org Material Material may be reprinted reproduced with if permission credit is given from NCCW. to NCCW. NCCW.org

17 Christ Our Life A Catholic Regional Conference For Our Searching Souls CONFERENCE BACKGROUND Christ Our Life Catholic Regional Conference is a non-profit conference being held at Wells Fargo Arena. It is a grassroots effort of faith springing up out of the heart of Iowa and blessed by Bishop Richard E. Pates of the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines. HOW DID IT COME ABOUT? Christ Our Life Catholic Regional Conference was conceived in 2008 and was inspired by the Holy Spirit pulling on the hearts of two women in central Iowa. They prayed, gathered a dedicated and spiritually motivated group of volunteers, and secured world-renowned speakers. The result was a first-of-its kind Catholic conference. Now we are offering a fifth biennial Christ Our Life conference focused on bringing Catholics together, inspiring, celebrating and exploring their faith and bringing souls to Christ. YOU ARE INVITED! Please join us for a weekend of faith sharing, faith building and praise as we listen and learn from world-class speakers, renowned Catholic exhibitors and most importantly, share the sacraments. Learn more about the schedule, speakers and register online at Content provided by Christ Our Life Speakers Be inspired by this year s amazing lineup of speakers! Thomas Cardinal Collins Bishop Robert Barron Father Leon Pereira, OP Steve Ray Renée Bondi Matt Fradd This experience has changed me immensely. I now understand the importance of Christ in my life. The whole experience just makes me want to be a better person and revolve everything around the glory of God. Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow Jimmy Belabre Steve Angrisano 17

18 Priest Convocation The Dubuque Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women showed their appreciation for the clergy by serving fresh strawberries, angel food cake, and ice cream at the registration reception at the annual archdiocese s Priest Convocation at Divine Word College, Epworth. The grape, meat/cheese plater and cracker option was appreciated too. The Priest Convocation was held June 19 at the Divine Word College in Epworth. ACCW Pro-Life Report Last year the Iowa Legislature approved a 20-week abortion ban and required women to wait 3 days before they could have an abortion. The waiting period is on hold because of a separate lawsuit filed by PP and the ACLU. Iowa Republicans last year also gave up millions in federal dollars to create a state-funded family planning program that prohibits participation from abortion providers such as PP. Mark Pickup was keynote speaker for DCRTL s annual Life Dinner. He has spoken and published extensively in Canada and the United States on the topics of Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. He is an articulate speaker and very inspiring. His personal story of suffering lends credence to what he says. Here are a few snippets of his shared wisdom: God is in the forgiveness business. For over 700 years society has rejected abortion, euthanasia, and assisted suicide. Since we have turned our back on our Christian roots and bought into secular humanism, we have seen many changes in this. Abortion and assisted suicide are paid for by tax dollars in all of Canada. So far in the US, Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado, Vermont and Hawaii have legalized it. Legitimate pursuit of happiness is never gained through hurting/killing others. Death with dignity is abandonment, not dignity. Quality of life is a moving target. Grief and depression are NOT the same thing. Grief has a focus, an object that needs to be dealt with; people grieve differently. Depression has no focus, turns in on self and causes despair of life. One s actions always affect others. Assisted suicide affects family, neighbor, community and nation. One s doctor becomes his killer no longer his healer. DCRTL has CDs available to borrow if you would like to hear him. DCRTL 2205 Carter Road Dubuque, IA ; dcrtl@dcrtl.org; On May22, Abby Johnson spoke at the Guiding Star Gala. The Cedar Valley Guiding Star is a fairly new pro-life group located in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Their mission is to provide natural, holistic, pro-woman, pro-family, pro-fertility care. Contact: 220 Southbrooke Drive Waterloo, IA 50702; ; Valley.org; info@guidingstarcedarvalley.org. Abby Johnson worked for PP for 8 years but after assisting with an ultrasound-guided abortion she turned into a pro-life advocate and speaker. I can t say enough about her talk she is knowledgeable, sincere, funny and serious all rolled in one. If you haven t heard her, or haven t heard her lately, try to do so. I learned a few things from inside the mills (doctors use fake names) and about what s happening with PP (crumbling). Iowa assisted suicide status groups still pushing for legalization. So far, including this year, they have been unsuccessful. Be alert: they will be back! 18

19 ACCW Spiritual Advisors The following priests are serving as spiritual advisors for Dubuque ACCW Rev. Daniel Knipper Decorah Deanery Rev. Msgr. Cletus Hawes Dubuque Deanery Rev. Eugene Kutsch Marshalltown Deanery Rev. Rick Dagit New Hampton Deanery Rev. Msgr. Carl Schmitt Mason City Deanery Rev. Msgr. John Hemann Waterloo Deanery Rev. Kenneth Stecher We thank God for blessing us with these priests! Meet Me In St. Louis! A chance for spiritual growth and to reinforce our faith Join Fr. Knipper in a pilgrimage to St. Louis - Monday Oct. 15 through Thursday Oct. 18. Included in the pilgrimage is Mass at the Old Cathedral, the new Cathedral, St. Ann s Church the home parish of the Black robe Fr. DE Smet, admission to and view from the top of the Arch, 5 star accommodations and meals at Drury s hotel across the street from the Arch, trip to Our Lady of the Snows Shrine in Belleville, Illinois, visit and tour of the Sisters community and home of Saint Duchene in St. Charles, visit St. Louis Zoo and Union Station. It also includes 3 breakfasts, 3 hotel reception meals along with 3 adult beverages each evening plus many more amenities (about $ worth). Call Fr. Knipper for more information or register by calling/internetting Legacy Tours and Travel at or www. grouptravelconnecions.com click Sign Up at the bottom of the page and follow directions. Bus pick-up sites will be in Decorah, AMRH in Cedar Falls and St. Pius Church in Cedar Rapids. 19

20 PILGRIMAGE TO ST. LOUIS, MO Archdiocese of Dubuque Council of Catholic Women October 15-18, 2018 Monday, October 15, 2018 (R) 6:30 AM Depart from Decorah City parking lot 8:00 AM Pick-up at American Martyrs Retreat House 2209 N. Union Rd Cedar Falls, IA 9:15 AM Pick-up in Cedar Rapids St. Pius X Catholic Church, 4949 Council St NE - with a rest stop 1-hour lunch break in Donnellson at Charleston Board of Trade (on your own) Afternoon 1/2 hour rest stop 5:30 PM Approximate arrival to Drury Plaza at the Arch, 4th and Market Streets St Louis, MO 5:30-7:00 Evening Reception with cocktails, beverages, hot and cold food Free evening to walk around the Arch/Riverfront area Tuesday, October 16, 2018 (B,L,R) 6:00 AM Hot breakfast buffet 9:00 AM Museum of Westward Expansions, The Arch tram ride, documentary movie and new Arch museum opening in July 11:30 AM The Old Cathedral, Memorial and Walnut Streets 12:05 PM Daily Mass at The Old Cathedral 12:30 PM Depart for The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL 1:00 PM Buffet luncheon (included) 4:30 PM Return to hotel 5:30 PM Evening reception with cocktails, beverages, hot and cold food Evening at Union Station take the train to Union Station Wednesday, October 17, 2018 (B,R) 8:00 AM Hot breakfast buffet If time allows, drive through St. Louis University Campus and drive by The Fabulous Fox Theatre 9:30 AM Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and Museum 10:00 AM Guided tour of Cathedral 12:05 PM Mass 12:50 PM Depart for St. Louis Zoo 1:15 PM St. Louis Zoo with free Zooline train tour eat lunch here on your own 4:15 PM Depart for hotel 5:00 PM Arrive hotel 5:30-7:00 Evening reception with cocktails, beverages, hot and cold food Free evening to explore Thursday, October 18, 2018 (B) 7:00 AM Hot breakfast buffet & bags out 8:00 AM Depart from hotel 8:30 AM Mass at St. Ann s Parish, St Louis 9:30 AM Depart 10:00 AM Docent lead tour of the Shrine of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, St. Charles, MO 11:00 AM Depart for home with lunch stop enroute 5:45 PM Approximate arrival to Cedar Rapids with fast food dinner stop 6:15 PM Depart 7:15 PM Approximate arrival to Waterloo 8:45 PM Approximate arrival to Decorah RATES per person Double Occupancy (2 people with 1 or 2 beds) $ Single Occupancy $1, Triple Occupancy (3 people, 2 beds) $ Quad Occupancy (4 people, 2 beds) $ YOUR TOUR INCLUDES Luxury coach transportation 3 nights lodging Admissions listed in itinerary 3 breakfast buffets, 1 lunch, 3 evening hotel receptions Group donations to Cathedrals, Parish & Shrine A Division of Legacy Travel Group Tour packaged by: Denise Hovden-Baumler/Tour Coordinator denise@legacytours.travel 703 Dudley St, Decorah IA

21 Tour Features: Pilgrim Director Father Dan Knipper, ACCW Spiritual Advisor - leading daily Mass. Drury Plaza at The Arch - three historic buildings house the Drury Plaza Hotel. One of these, the International Fur Exchange Building, operated as a base for the world s fur trade in The Old Cathedral - one of the most historic buildings in St. Louis with roots dating back to The present building is the fourth church to be erected on the site. Construction began in 1831 and the church was dedicated in The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows - provides an atmosphere where guests of all faiths have the opportunity to deepen their relationship with God and one another. Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis - began in 1907 and completed in This commanding Romanesque structure is a prominent St. Louis landmark with its ornately decorated exterior granite walls, massive twin towers and distinctive green-tiled dome. St. Ann s Parish - home of Fr. Peter DeSmet, a Black Robe, as Catholic priests were called by the Indians. Shrine of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne - the Shrine s two outside entrances represent its Roman and St. Louis connections. Pope Pius XIII, who beautified Philippine, is represented with his coat of arms over the door of the Rose Garden north entrance, also featured is a mosaic of St. Peter and the quote, The work of justice is peace. The Second street east entrance includes Cardinal Glennon s coat of arms, a mosaic of St. Louis, King of France, and the quote, I am a Soldier of Christ. Terms and Fees: $100 per person deposit due at booking. Final payment is due September 1, there will be no refunds after final payment date. New reservations after September 1 will be added on a space available basis. Group cancellation date is August 15. If you are interested in purchasing Travel Protection, please contact Travel Safe at or online at code is LEGIA01. To Register: Call Legacy Tours & Travel at or stop by 703 Dudley St., Decorah IA OR -- you may register online: Go to and click Sign Up at the bottom of the page. Fill in the requested information to create your account and click the sign up button. A verification will be sent from Travel Connections to the address used to create the account. If it does not show up in your inbox, check your spam/junk mail folder. Once you receive the , follow the link that is provided to the confirmation page. Click the Confirm button. Doing so will redirect you to a log in page. Log in using the and password you used to set up your account. You will then be taken back to the Group Travel Connections home page. Here you can enter your group code in the Find your group search box and click Go. Your group code is: accw-stlouis-2018 Once you are at your group page, click the Join Group button. To complete your tour sign-up process, click the Register Now button on your group page. The website will walk you through all of the steps of the sign up process. You must go through the sign-up process to completion to finalize your sign-up. Once you have finished your tour sign-up, you can view payment information by clicking your name in the top right corner of the screen and selecting the Payments option from the drop down menu. If no information appears on your payment page, this means that you have not completed your tour sign-up and must go back to your group page and click Register Now. Payments are made with a major credit card through PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account to make a payment. A Division of Legacy Travel Group 703 Dudley St, Decorah IA / / 21

22 22 Cedar Rapids Deanery Sue Martinek, Representative Fathers in the Cedar Rapids area participated on their day, June 17 in a family bike ride on the trail around Cedar Lake. They enjoyed free hotdogs, chips, cookies, etc. provided by the Coalition for Life of Iowa. Free bike bottles were also available. Fun was had even though it was a hot day. Catholic Evangelization Outreach hosted a retreat June 30 at St. Ludmila s Church. The focus was on Evangelizing the Family. The keynote speaker was Archbishop Michael Jackels with Deacon Mark Sandersfeld also speaking. A bus leaving from Cedar Rapids will be going to the Christ Our Life conference in Des Moines September 29 and 30. For more information please contact Sue Martinek, Decorah Deanery Mary Rausch, President On April 15, 2018 we held our quarterly deanery meeting at Our Lady of Seven Dolors at Festina. Elaine Heying spoke on the seven mysteries of the Rosary and the Seven Sorrows and its promises and she gave prayer cards on the Lady of Seven Sorrows. Marilyn Zweibohmer, Shira Streeter and Ken Ehler gave interesting history reports of one the oldest parishes in the Dubuque Archdiocese. They showed five full scrap books and gave the history of each year. On September 15, 2018 the parish will celebrate its anniversary. All are welcome to attend and celebrate with them. A Candlelight Memorial Service was held honoring Carolyn Havel, Joan Lyons and her sister Mary. After the Memorial Presentation, Teri Rosendahl was installed by ACCW president elect Sheila Rassman. Teri Rosendahl gave a program on Trafficking is a Modern- Day Slavery. Mary Rausch spoke on the Depot Outlet, Maxine Balk on EWTN and Phyllis Einwalter gave the secretary s report. The Decorah Deanery held the Priest Appreciation Dinner at the Calmar Train Station on June 5. On June 28, 2018 St. Patrick Parish of Monona hosted the Women Retreat in the Mc Cauley Center. Speakers were Jessica Goltz, author of the book Living Grounded and Debbie Reicks, breast cancer survivor. Marshalltown Deanery Monica Fulton, President The Marshalltown Deanery spring meeting was held at St. Joseph parish in State Center. Co-president Lisa Hemesath welcomed the women and shared the history of St. Joseph. St. Joseph continues to have a very active Council of Catholic Women. Among their many projects are Mary s Meals, providing a food pantry, preparing Christmas boxes, funeral meals, and making quilts for Hospice and the hospital. Commission reports were given by Rita Sevcik, Shirley Delfs, and DEANERY DOINGS Elaine Upah. The afternoon program was on the Grain Train. The Grain Train is a very extensive program for distribution of clothing, and household items etc. The July meeting was held at St. Patrick in Tama. The business meeting and committee reports were held in the morning. Fr. Mescher celebrated Mass followed by a picnic lunch. All women of the deanery and any men who wished to were invited to come for Mass and hear speaker Darcy Aune and family who presented an inspiring pro-life message, Turning a Godless Mess into a God Filled Message. New Hampton Deanery Yvonne Kisch, President Our spring meeting of 2018 was held at St. Bernard parish in Alta Vista, IA. After our prayer service consisting of the rosary for past, present and future members of the ACCW and daily scripture readings, a delicious luncheon was served by the ladies of St. Bernard. They also read the history of their parish. In the absence of a speaker, our presentation was a CD talk on What is so great about being Catholic by Jason Evert. Mr. Evert told us about the beauty and treasures of the Catholic faith, as revealed through the saints and sacraments. Topics of discussion were the future of the New Hampton Deanery s participation in the ACCW. Attendance at meetings has become low and a lot of work and effort go in to planning them, from many people, so we need to pray and think hard on how we want to continue. Officers are needed for the upcoming term of , as the president elect has now declined to accept the presidency. All current officers have served multiple terms. Pray hard for God s guidance and to Our Lady of Good Council for her intercession. Our focus concern for this year will be on the problem of modern day slavery, which is sex trafficking, in the world and especially our country. We have supported the Wings of Refuge home in Iowa Falls in the past. We will be sending extra prayers for them and also send a financial donation. President Yvonne also passed out subscription forms for The Link and explained what a good resource it would be for members to receive and with thoughts of the elderly members, who once were active in ACCW, who can no longer attend meetings to subscribe and keep aware of the ACCW happenings in the diocese. Waterloo Deanery Margaret Babinat, President The women of the Waterloo Deanery want to take this opportunity to extend a special invitation to the women of the Archdiocese of Dubuque to attend the Dubuque ACCW Convention to be held on Saturday October 13 at St. Gabriel near Reinbeck, south of Dike. We are busy planning the event and look forward to welcoming you to the Waterloo Deanery and St. Gabriel parish. Set your GPS and enjoy the drive to this beautiful church in a beautiful Iowa farmland setting.