COMMISSIONS AND COMMISSION CHAIRS
The mission of K-DCCW is carried out through
the work of six commissions, each under the
direction of a national commission chair and
through deanery and parish levels affiliates.
The Council of Catholic Women is a treasure
in the Church. KDCCW reflects so well to the
central teachings of Jesus through faith, prayer,
devotion to Mary, our Blessed Mother,
empowering all women in the Church to be a
" Leaven for Others" with caring hearts, to
survive, heal, and thrive---- Spiritually, physically,
mentally, sharing their gifts of time, talent,
treasures and to help those in need "Responding
with Gospel Values" in the many actions of love,
peace, mercy, kindness, helpfulness and to be
the best Council member that they can be in
this 21st Century.
KDCCW encourages everyone to browse
this wonderful gift of communication that
provides us with upcoming important
future events happening in our Diocese,
Churches, meetings, etc.
Helen Percle, Knoxville Diocesan Council
of Catholic Women Church Commission
Chair presented Lourdes Perez, Director
of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of
Knoxville with approximately 1,000 donated
rosaries (most of them hand-made) by the
Chattanooga, Cumberland Mountain, Five
Rivers and Smoky Mountain deaneries
which were collected during the KDCCW
19th annual convention held April 11-12 in
Gatlinburg. TN. Pictured with Helen and
Lourdes are Sr. Carmen Gordillo, Sr. Leticia
Rojas, and Sr. Isabel Gomez. The Missionary
Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, minister
to Hispanics in the Five Rivers Deanery.
VOCATION PROMOTION BOARD
Submitted by Jane Carter KDCCW Representative
to the Vocations Promotion Board.
Let your PCCW be the force behind your
parish celebration! Include the School
children and Religious Education students.
- Ask the youth minister to join in the plans.
- Invite the K of C to add their energy.
- Call your parish council president adn ask
for their support.
- Check with the parish secretary and start
the ball rolling-and try to keep some aspect
of it a SURPRISE!
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- Leadership Training
NCCW is now accepting applications from
diocesan, deanery, and parishes interested
in hosting the new leadership training program.
Our own Suzanne Erpenbach and Jane Carter
are two of the trainers. Please contact Carla
Washa at 703-224-0990 or check out
www.nccw.org for information on scheduling
this outstanding training in your parish or
deanery.
- Planning Ahead
If your officers, or board, are meeting this
summer to plan your council year, here are
a few suggestions to include. In October plan
to celebrate Council Sunday by attending Mass
together with a breakfast or program after.
November is the NCCW National Day of Fast
and Prayer to End Hunger. This year it will be
Thursday, November 20th. What ideas can your
council come up with to promote this in your area?
In January plan an event to remember the victims
of abortion.
- Volunteer Hours Form
NCCW has provided a form to use for keeping
track of our volunteer hours as CCW members.
The form, directions, and examples can be printed
from www.nccw.org or here is the form:
Volunteer Hours Form
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In the fall I introduced our commission
project and concern for family mealtimes
and the need to practice better nutrition
as well. This is a topic that is gaining
national attention and wonderful
resources are being developed for
information and teaching.
One such resource is the site
www.gracebeforemeals.com
Fr. Leo Patalinghug is promoting
Stronger Family, Better food and asks
that families practice the following:
- Eat meals with my family at
least five days a week or as many
as possible
- Say grace before each meal,
no matter where you are
- Turn off the tv while eating
dinner
- Introduce interesting topics
for the family to discuss at mealtimes
- Engage the family in preparing
meals
- Tell friends and family about
Grace before Meals!
Father offers a cookbook and a weekly
email newsletter and recipes for families.
There are many ways to promote healthier
eating in your parish. You can have a recipe
exchange for quick week night meals.
Encourage women to co-op by cooking a
quantity for several families and rotating turns.
We must break our dependency on drive
through meals. Invite nutritionists and/or
fitness experts to speak at your gatherings
on easy ways to make lifestyle changes.
Encourage, as Fr. Leo does, families cooking
together.
We will feature a variety of Family Concern
issues at convention but here are some web
sites for additional ideas for information and
programs.
Simple Living
Taking back family time
How to strengthen Communities & Schools
National Assoc of Catholic Family Life Ministers
Healthy Marriages
Morality in Media
Susan Tribble
Family Concerns Chair
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The Community Concerns Commission engages
the women of the Knoxville Diocesan of Catholic
Women and all people in working to address the
needs and concerns of their individual communities.
It is focused on action that affects the life, growth,
productivity and well being of all people, especially
women and children and the communities in which
they live. The Community Concerns Commission
will continue to focus on the ongoing recovery
efforts in the Diocese of Biloxi.
Marian Christiana is our DCCW contact to Biloxi
Project Hope and Compassion.
Current Projects:
- The gift card campaign to benefit our adopted
parish of St. Clare in Waveland, Mississippi, will
remain the focus of our efforts.
- We will work with the Diocesan Office of Family
Life and Adult Christian Living to promote and
encourage more volunteers to travel to the
Gulf coast and be a part of the rebuilding effort.
- Plans are being made for a mission trip
this April that will encourage volunteers to
take an alternative "Spring Break", join a
"Care-A-Van" and volunteer in the gulf
coast area Wednesday, April 11 through
Sunday, April 15. Please email Marian
Christiana at marianchristiana@msn.com
for more information. For identification
purposes, please type "Biloxi Mission
Trip" in the subject line of the email.
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The following summarizes the focus of the
International Commission's Workshop at
the Convention this April.
Waters from far -off oceans and rivers
Become our common cup To quench our
thirst for life , justice and peace.
" Then the Lord will guide you always
and give you plenty , even on parched
land. He will renew your strength and
you shall be like a garden that has
plenty of water, like a spring whose
water never goes dry. ( Is. 58: 11 ) "
International Report - January, 2008
The International Concerns Commission
responds to global issues through education
of our responsibility of the world community
and encouraging fund raising, particularly for
funding projects for the poorest of the poor.
We work, in partnership with the Catholic
Relief Services, to fund our NCCW projects.
K-DCCW funded the very successful St. Batkita
School for Girls in southern Sudan in 2000.
NCCW Continuing ICC Projects
Works of Peace
Madonna Plan Through our cooperation
with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), contributions
to the Madonna Plan make it possible to meet
the needs of mothers and children by assisting
clinics by provided services: classes in baby
care, the nutritious use of local foods, as well
as simple hygiene and the all-important basics
for. When we contribute to the Madonna Plan we
are saying "Yes, we care" to these needy mothers
and children who look to us for help.
Water for Life includes projects that
contribute to bringing clean water to those
parts of the world without clean drinking water.
Help-A-Child Provides funds to educate,
cloth, and feed children in community settings.
Works of Reconciliation
The Refugee Women Emergency Fund assists
CRS to provide gender-sensitive services for
women who are displaced in their own country
and refugees in another country. This is the
most recent undertaking between CRS and
NCCW. Those who suffer the most as refugees
are the women and children. They are displaced
from their own countries and forced to live in
refugee camps with their children. Many times
their husbands are separated from the family
and these vulnerable women must put up with
terrible ordeals. Recognizing these poor women
and children and their great need, this fund was
established and is being supported by all of the
NCCW membership.
Please use these website to understand
more about human trafficking.
www.usccb.org/mrs/traffickingweb.shtml
www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt
www.womenscommission.org
www.centerwomenpolicy.org
I have found this newsletter very informative. Can be read
and particular parts of interest printed. Anti Human Trafficking
Newsletter edited by Sr. Jean Schafer, SDS web site is:
http://homepage.mac/srjeanschafersds/stoptraffic/index.html
Sisters e- mail is jeansds200@yahoo.com
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Legislation Links
The Legislation Commission encourages
legislative advocacy among all CCW members.
Guided by Catholic Social teaching from the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops,
the Knoxville Council of Catholic Womenpromotes
activities that will bring about greater social and
economic justice.
Legislative Report - October 13, 2007
Kitty Jansen, Chair
Monica Witkowski Co-chair
Pro-Life Leaders in Both
Parties Push SJR 127
Forward Legislators Unite
to Clarify Amendment's Effect;
Final Senate Vote Next Week
From Tennessee Right to Life History was
made again Thursday when principled
pro-life leaders from both major parties
joined efforts to push SJR 127 toward
Senate passage with an amendment that
further clarifies the resolution's purpose.
"This amendment points out to anybody
who reads it and studies it that it is up to
the House and Senate, not the Court, to
decide...who lives and who dies," argued
pro-life Democrat, Senator Douglas Henry
(D-Nashville.) "It's not the court's business,
it's our business and that's what this does."
As amended, SJR 127 now affirmatively
states "Nothing in this constitution secures
or protects a right to abortion or requires
the funding of an abortion. The people
retain the right through their elected state
representatives and state senators to enact,
amend, or repeal statues regarding abortion,
including circumstances of pregnancy
resulting from rape or incest, or when
necessary to save the life of the mother."
Prime Senate sponsor, pro-life Senator
Diane Black (R-Hendersonville) opened
debate on SJR 127 making clear the
resolution was needed to allow legislators
to restore even the most basic protections
for Tennessee's women and unborn children.
"The people of this state have been given
the opportunity to vote to amend the
constitution to approve a lottery; should
they not be given the same privilege when
it comes to protecting life," Black asked.
"Today with your "yes" vote, Tennessee
will be one step closer to returning to the
position we had before the activist court's
decision in 2000." With minimal opposition
from Senators Jim Kyle (D-Memphis) and Roy
Herron (D-Dresden), and strong support from
Senators Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge), and
DeWayne Bunch (R-Cleveland), Henry's
amendment was overwhelmingly passed 29-3.
Pro-abortion Senator Kyle joined to pass the
amendment but vowed to seek an Attorney
General's opinion regarding the efficacy of the
amended language. SJR 127 now moves to
second reading on Monday evening with
a final vote likely to be held on Wednesday.
Pro-life supporters are strongly encouraged
to continue contacting members of the state
Senate and to consider attending Wednesday's
senate session. Contact TRLfor more information
regarding senate schedule. Following Senate
passage, the measure will be taken up in the
state House.
US Senate FARM BILL
Thank you all for your continued efforts to shape
a more just U.S. agriculture and food policy. The
2007 Farm Bill is moving through the Senate.
The Senate Agriculture Committee is scheduled
to mark up on October 23rd (next week!). We will
be sending out more specific alerts as we learn
what provisions will be taken up on the Senate
floor.
Our priorities in the 2007 Farm Bill are:
- helping hungry people here and abroad;
- targeting agricultural assistance to those
family farmers who need it most rather than
large, powerful enterprises that need it least;
and
- ensuring that our farm subsidies do not
hurt poor farmers in developing countries.
Please join with USCCB, National Catholic Rural
Life Conference, Catholic Relief Services and
Catholic Charities USA, and our religious and other
allies in sending a strong message to Congress
that our farm and food policies must reflect our
values, reducing hunger and poverty, providing
a safety net to smaller and moderate size farmers
and helping farmers in developing countries to
feed their families and make a decent living.
Agriculture policies should not hurt or displace
smaller family farmers and ranchers out of the
marketplace, nor threaten the livelihoods of farmers
in developing countries.
Remember that our common Catholic work on the
Farm Bill in the weeks ahead send a unique,
influential and indispensable message to Congress.
We are not another interest group with narrow
agendas and self-interests. We are a community
of faith made up of farmers, ranchers, farm workers,
social service providers and consumers; we serve
and stand with children, seniors, working adults
and families struggling with hunger in our own land
and in the poorest places on earth; we are called
to feed the hungry and care for the earth. We are
compelled to speak for the weak and the voiceless.
We need your help in sending a clear message to
your Senator(s) that we must build on what was
accomplished in the House, while also bring about
real targeting and reform for those in greatest need.
We are always happy to help in whatever way we
can. Please don't hesitate to call on us. For more
information, please contact:
Roxana Barillas at USCCB (202) 541-3445,
rbarillas@usccb.org;
Fr. Andrew Small OMI at USCCB (202) 541-3153,
asmall@usccb.org; or
Bob Gronski at the National Catholic Rural Life
Conference (515) 270-2634, ncrlcg@mchsi.com;
Lucreda Cobbs at Catholic Charities USA,
(703) 236-6243,
lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org; and
Brendan Cavanagh at Catholic Relief Services,
(410) 951-7462, bcavanag@crs.org.
Call your Senators Urging Fairness for Farmers and
Justice for the Poor and Hungry in the 2007 Farm Bill
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Contact
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 ITEMS |
- Dogwood Newsletter
- Our Lady of Good Council Award
- Bishop Johnston Installation
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