SALT LAKE CITY — The National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) General Assembly 2008 opened on the United Nations International Day of Peace Sept. 25, with the Utah Air National Guard presenting the colors. Seven past NCCW presidents processed in carrying flags representing countries from the seven continents of the world. The NCCW General Assembly 2008, "Women of Faith, Women of Action" was held at the Sheraton City Centre in Salt Lake City, Sept. 24-28. More than 600 women from throughout the United States, including representatives from the military, came to Salt Lake City to be inspired, educated, and to meet in solidarity with their Catholic sisters. They also toured downtown, the Kennecott Copper Mine, Temple Square and the Beehive House, as well as the mountains just starting to turn to autumn colors. To commemorate the occasion, the NCCW International and Church Commissions in 2007, invited NCCW members to propose and submit a prayer for peace to be prayed at this General Assembly, and to ask God to grant peace to this world. The commissions selected a prayer submitted by Louana Maheras from the Diocese of Boise. "We are women of faith, women of action," said NCCW President Bobbie Hunt, from Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Layton, Utah. "As president and resident, I welcome you to the great state of Utah. Karen Hale, communications manager, represented Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, who extended his welcome and took credit for the sunny, warm weather that was had during the assembly. In his message, Mayor Becker said we appreciate the great work of the many Catholic men and women who provide for the very basic needs of those in our city. You all truly utilize and put to work the great values of leadership and service, and I thank you for all you do, especially those here in Salt Lake City." "It was a real joy for me to celebrate Mass with you this morning and to welcome you today as you gather in Salt Lake City," said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. "We are so proud and honored that you have chosen to come here. That means a great deal to us, and we will be praying for you." "I think that you gathered here today are an icon of Mary, you stand as a symbol of Mary in our Church, and you are an example of true discipleship in giving us a real sense of what faith in action means," said Bishop Wester. "We need that in our society today. "Also I think the language you speak is the language of relationships," said Bishop Wester. "I heard somewhere that for men it is the event that makes the relationship and for women, it the relationships that make the event." Bishop Wester said women teach us there is a real comfort in communing, an appreciation for the uniqueness of life, and the importance of relationships. "Finally, you speak the language of strength," said Bishop Wester. "Real strength comes through compassion, understanding, tolerance, and mercy. We so appreciate who you are and what you do." Karen Hurley, president general of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO) said, "In the words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, ‘We stand before the world as ambassadors of peace by preaching the message of love in action that crosses all barriers of nationality, creed, or country.’" Hurley said this year marks the 20th anniversary of "Mulieris Dignitatem" (On the Dignity and Vocation of Women), the Apostolic Letter given to us by Servant of God Pope John Paul II, and affirmed by Pope Benedict XVI during an international celebration held in Rome last February. "I extend to you Pope Benedict’s personal gratitude for the faithful witness of Catholic women in so many countries," said Hurley. "Our faith, the model of Mary, and other women in the Holy Scriptures, and church teaching, all raise our awareness of our mission, vocation, dignity, and spirituality. Women are strong because of our awareness of the fact that God entrusts humanity to us, always and in every way." In her president’s report, Hunt said the year 1922, was important for two reasons. First, that was the year her mother was born, and second, NCCW was founded. NCCW was founded under the auspices of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Goals were initially established to give Catholic women of the country a common voice and an instrument for united action, to ensure proper Catholic representation on national committees, and to stimulate the work of existing Catholic organizations to greater service in meeting the needs of the times. Through the decades, structures and programs of NCCW have changed to meet the needs of society, but the mission has never changed. "There were huge changes after Vatican II," said Hunt. "Women were now taking on leadership roles in church and community. NCCW implemented leadership training programs to help women develop leadership potential, and we continue to do so today. "Last year we updated the Domestic Violence Resource Packet," said Hunt. "This year we added the resource packet for Children and a Safe Environment (CASE), which tells you how you can be involved in protecting children from toxic substances in the home and in the environment." Hunt said the NCCW National Day of fast and prayer to end hunger will be an annual event and observed on the Thursday before Thanksgiving of each year. Food can be collected for local food banks, or a group can decide to fast and pray. The NCCW board members participate in the National Prayer Vigil for Life opening Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and the Right to Life March. "In keeping with our mission of responding with gospel values to needs of the Church, we are supporting the Pregnant Women Support Act. This is legislation which provides support for, and an alternative to pregnant women who make a quick decision to have an abortion when they believe there are no other options. The NCCW is also an advocate for migrant farm workers, Water for Life, the Madonna Plan, and issues surrounding climate change. Our website, at nccw.org, helps us keep people informed on what is happening in our organization, in society, and in the church. Carla Walsh, NCCW program director, said 2008 has been full of promise and challenges for the program department. Walsh said there is potential for programs NCCW can bring to Catholic women to enrich them spiritually and in living their lives in service to others. The challenge is the decline in membership and material resources. "But we continue to move forward regardless, and we have done and accomplished some wonderful things this year. We are trying each year to update and revise our existing program resources one at a time. As Bobbie said, we updated the Domestic Violence Resource packet, and featured experts from the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the Ohio Domestic Violence Network. This year we updated the resource packet for Children and a Safe Environment (CASE)." The Community Concerns workshop featured Pat Smuck and M. Jane Mueller, NCCW Community Concerns Chairwoman. Smuck is a motivational speaker on NCCW structure and volunteer membership for the Chicago Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, and a past NCCW vice president. Smuck said NCCW has been working on CASE for the past eight years by going around the country teaching parishioners about the toxic chemicals in their homes and a safe way to live. "What you put in your bodies today will affect your offspring for the next seven generations," said Smuck. "If we are not healthy, then our children will be unhealthy. Carpet cleaned with toxic cleaners can cause asthma, so you must use things like vinegar and water and baking soda to clean. Generations before us used these items and their houses were clean. They do just the same job as chemicals. It is in your mind that they do not. "There is also a problem with women’s make-up, children’s toys, and food packaging, which contain phthalates that can cause cancer, mental disturbances, and tremors. Lipstick also contains lead. Avon products contain many cancer-causing agents. "We are hoping with our educational programs that more people will join us and help us pass legislation and laws that will enforce healthy schools that do not have mold, and who serve healthy foods," said Smuck. "There are 6.5 million children with asthma in the United States. My granddaughter had asthma, and my daughter stopped using cleaning products that contained toxic chemicals, and she no longer has asthma. Diesel fumes from school buses can cause rashes, unsteadiness, and an inability to learn. There are just so many things this program addresses. We just do not realize we are being affected by so many environmental toxins." The Family Concerns Workshop offered by Pat Voorhes, a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish and the NCCW Family Concerns Chairwoman was "Change the World by Protecting your Marriage." Presenter Lorrie Gramer, who has been married for 36 years, worked for 25 years in the Family Life Office in Rockford, Ill. Gramer said the most important thing you can do is pray as a couple, and pray for each other. She also said men want respect and women want to be loved. "In most cases it is not what we thought when we said ‘I do’ at the altar," said Gramer. "Marriage is a lot like signing a blank check and a lot of hard work. But marriage is a covenant and a lot about self sacrifice." "Our bishops are calling to uplift marriage between an man and a woman," said Gramer. "We have to deepen our conviction on marriage because it is not a private affair. Marriages must be sustained by the Christian community. Successful marriages do not work on auto pilot. They need constant attention." The Legislation Commission workshop looked at becoming faithful citizens, which requires properly formed consciences. Suzanne Belongia, director of Parish and Community Social Action for the Diocese of Winona, Minn., said, "Catholic voters should use the framework of Catholic teaching to examine candidates’ positions on issues affecting human life and dignity as well as issues of justice and peace, and they should consider candidates’ integrity, philosophy, and performance. It is important for all citizens "to see beyond party politics, to analyze campaign rhetoric critically, and to choose their political leaders according to principle, not party affiliation or mere self-interest." Other workshops included an overview of the issues facing the Church on the African continent. Also, a workshop on change was featured. Attendees learned how to adapt to their changing councils and the changing times, as well as how to resist the temptation to see change as threatening. Instead they learned to see change as an opportunity to learn and grow with their council sisters. Hunt said the NCCW keeps track of the service hours women throughout the nation put in during the year. During 2007-2008 they logged 131,254,224 hours, and Hunt presented this figure in the form of an imitation check to Bishop Michael Bransfield, Episcopal liaison. "We are so grateful that so many of you have worked so hard throughout our country to serve the Church and to serve the Lord," said Bishop Bransfield. "You built the shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and you have such a beautiful presence there. In honor of Our Lady and her presence throughout all of our lives let us pray the Hail Mary." With that the General Assembly came to a close.
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