85th DCCW convention urges Catholic women to use their voice to effect change

Intermountain Catholic

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From left, Diana Hanebrink, Sue Bedard, Julie Boerio-Goates and Marcie Downs share their stories during the Service Commission panel discussion. Bedard chairs the Service Commission. See more photos on the Intermountain Catholic's facebook page. IC photo/Marie Mischel

SALT LAKE CITY — More than 250 Catholic women from throughout Utah gathered at the Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel April 20-21 to be inspired, educated and encouraged in their faith during the 85th annual Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.

The keynote speaker was Judy Powers, president of the National Council of Catholic Women, whose address was titled "Called to Speak: NCCW: A Voice of Catholic Women."

The NCCW was formed in 1920 to be "a united Catholic women’s voice to speak for the Catholic Church in all things national," Powers said, and that mission today is in peril because "our religious rights are under attack."

That attack includes not only the HHS mandate that would require Catholic organizations to offer contraceptives and abortion services to their employees, but also state laws that discriminate against groups wanting to hold religious services at public schools on the weekends, and the federal government withholding grants from Catholic organizations because they do not offer contraceptives, Powers said.

"One thing that is a concern of mine, that is a concern of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and should be a concern of yours, is the fact that we may be limited in our work due to the impact of the removal of our religious liberties," Powers said.

She urged her audience to be a strong, clear, educated and proactive voice on matters of faith. "Everyone should have the religious liberty to live their faith.... We’re not actually imposing our views, we’re proposing our faith," she said. "If we lose our voice – nature abhors a void. What voice will fill that void if we’re not here?"

The agenda on April 20 also included a panel of four women – Diana Hanebrink, Sue Bedard, Julie Boerio-Goates and Marcie Downs – who spoke about their life experiences during the Service Commission panel discussion "Led by the Spirit: A Journey of Faith."

The Spirituality Commission speaker was Carol Ruddell, whose topic was "Threats to Life: Respect and Dignity Through the Lifetime."

"The speakers are so wonderful, and they inspire you to stick up for what you think is right," said Florence Barber, a Saint Francis of Assisi parishioner who has been a DCCW member for many years. She enjoys attending the annual convention because, she said, "I just like being with Catholic women. I love their agenda."

Marianna Zuzo, a Cathedral of the Madeleine parishioner, agreed. She returned to the convention this year because she enjoyed her first time last year, she said. "Every year that I attend I become more and more impressed with the DCCW," and that it increases her spiritual development and gives her greater awareness about Catholic issues such as abortion and organ transplants, which Ruddell discussed.

"And it teaches you to be closer to your faith," Zuzo added.

The DCCW in Utah is growing, said President Amy Kennedy. "In Utah, we’re adding affiliations, and that is something that is not happening nationally."

Her hope for those attending the convention was that they "come away from this seeing how they can use their voice for Catholic women in their everyday lives, being advocates, being better Catholic women," she said.

On April 21, the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, addressed the convention. He gave them an overview of his ministry, touching on issues ranging from the importance of the Year of Faith to his support of Utah Gov. Gary Herbert’s veto of a law that would have allowed people to carry guns without a permit.

In his homily during the April 20 Mass that most of the women attended, Bishop Wester said he thinks one of the DCCW’s significant contributions to the local Church is that they remind Catholics to reach out to each other and care for one another as Jesus does. "Part of what women teach us is the importance of being nurturing and caring and compassionate," Bishop Wester said.