DCCW convention focuses on joy
SALT LAKE CITY — The 89th annual Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention drew a record attendance, with more than 300 women from throughout the state gathering at the Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel April 29-30.
“Catholic Women: Instruments of Joy” was the theme, and the keynote speakers both days reflected different aspects of that theme.
“As instruments of joy, we ask ourselves: Where is the source, where is the fountain, where is the foundation of joy as women, joy as disciples of Jesus Christ, from whom all gladness and happiness and fulfillment come from?” asked Bishop Oscar A. Solis, who was the guest speaker on Sunday.
“The mark of the true Christian believer is joy and gladness,” he said. “If you have God with you, you will find peace, you will find contentment, you will be at rest, and there is no room for anxieties or worries.”
Faith in God’s love, in his goodness and compassion, “assures us that in spite of the many challenges, difficulties and tribulations in life, we are not alone,” the bishop said. “The reason we are at peace with ourselves, the reason we don’t worry, the reason that we can face any difficulties or challenges in our lives is that Jesus is with us.”
Joy and gladness are manifestations of God’s presence, he said, and in life there are many challenges, so “let us share the joy that comes from Christ.”
After a brief survey of the Biblical mentions of joy or rejoicing, Bishop Solis also described the sacraments of the Catholic Church as manifestations of God’s constant presence in the world, which are meant to bring people into a relationship with God.
“The spirit of God is joy, is gladness,” he said, adding that if a person does not feel joy, he or she should examine their life.
“Once you discover the presence of God in you, then it is automatic: that smile will once again come out,” he said.
There is only one path to authentic joy, he said. “That is Christ. It is only through Christ that will lead us to happiness.”
Once joy is found it must be shared, he said.
In closing, he said, “As you leave this convention hall, I hope that you bring that spirit of joy and gladness that only Christ can bring. When you bring it, you have a mission: Your mission is to share the joy and gladness with others, because that is what it means to be a Christian woman, that is what it means to be a disciple and follower of Jesus – to be able to share, that others may partake of God’s blessing that he has bestowed with every living creature in this world.
“Be instruments of joy in the way you live your faith, in the way you carry out your faith by being witnesses of joy in our world,” he urged.
The keynote speaker on Saturday was Susan Neilson, whose presentation was titled, “A Joyful Heart.”
Neilson, a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi who teaches special education in the Alpine School district and is the grandmother of 11, “personifies our theme, ‘Women, Instruments of Joy,’” said Marcie Downs, DCCW as she introduced the speaker.
Neilson devoted most of her speech to JOY, with the “J” representing Jesus, the “O” standing for Others, and the “Y” representing You.
“Jesus is joy, he is your joy,” she said. “In his presence there is fullness of joy. When you embrace joy, you embrace Jesus. Let his tenderness embrace you.”
When life is difficult, “let Jesus deal with your problems – let him help with that,” she said. “One way to do that is to stay in communication with Jesus, and the best way to do that is prayer. ... The more Jesus is in your life, the more joy you will experience. Lasting joy can only be found in Jesus.”
Service to others results in joy, she said.
“With joy in your soul and your heart you will make a difference in the lives of those around you. ... Serving others becomes a blessing to you and the true joy, our Lord’s presence in you, will be visible to those around you,” Neilson said.
For “you,” she suggested that people begin each day with a joy-filled prayer and invite Jesus to walk with them.
Everyone will experience loss and tragedy, she said. “The world may give you the very worst, but remember that Jesus has given you the very best with his suffering and death, and finally his resurrection.”
The love of Jesus can sustain people even in the face of sorrow and difficulty, she said. “Joy is a choice. Circumstances might be out of your control … but you can still choose to be happy. The ultimate source of happiness is within you.”
She suggested that people keep a journal to record joyful events. “I find that looking in my journal and reading about some of the things that I’ve experienced that were joyful moments really perks me up; it lifts my spirit, and I hope that it will be the same for you.”
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