SALT LAKE CITY — Kathy Jones and Monsignor Robert Servatius, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sandy, just finished their terms with the National Council of Catholic Women. The NCCW represents more than 3,000 Catholic women’s organizations throughout the United States. Locally, hundreds of women participate at the parish, deanery and diocesan levels. Jones, who served as a treasurer, was elected three years ago, at the peak of the country’s recession. "It was an amazing experience, because I was able to work with women all over the United States promoting our mission. It was challenging, but a fun job," said Jones, who has a background in banking and accounting. As national treasurer, she served on the executive committee, reviewed the weekly and monthly financial statements and oversaw the annual audit, she said. Her work required her to travel to Washington, D.C. several times. "One of the nicest things was to meet all these people and to make friends and to share ideas and to get new ideas from them from the financial standpoint; ideas on how we could better improve our circumstances. It was a difficult time because all charities’ donations were decreasing and the expenses were going up," said Jones. Despite the difficulties, all the NCCW members told Jones of the importance of keeping the organization viable and vocal, she said. "There are very generous Catholic women across the United States that believe that we need to promote our Catholic faith and be a voice for Catholic women throughout the United States," said Jones. Msgr. Servatius served two terms as the NCCW spiritual advisor. "It was wonderful. I enjoyed it immensely, working with the women at national level as well as local level," said Msgr. Servatius. "It gave me the opportunity not only to observe but to hear about the directions of the National Council of Catholic Women and the challenges that they were facing and, in some sense, give direction to them," he said. He considers the participation of Catholic women in the council extremely important because "they contribute their talents and abilities to the ministry of the Church, whether it is at a national level or at a local level, forming a community with other Catholic women, serving justice and spiritual growth," he said. Msgr. Servatius has been the spiritual advisor for the Diocese of Salt Lake City Council of Catholic Women for more than 20 years. "Being spiritual advisor is one of my favorite ministries and having served at a national level was one of the highlights of my priesthood life," he said. The NCCW’s mission is to act through its members to support, empower and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service. The NCCW is a member of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations; they are recognized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). "We appreciate everything they do in ministry of the women," Msgr. Servatius said. "I think these associations are extremely important so it can be recognized how much [women] contribute." "We need to make sure that we live our faith, and one of the ways that women can live their faith is through voicing their opinions and by helping and nurturing wherever we can and developing leadership where we can, and through the programs that NCCW sponsors we are able to do that," Jones added.
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