SALT LAKE CITY — More than 200 Catholic women from throughout the Diocese of Salt Lake City gathered for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention in unity and for inspiration. The DCCW Convention, "A Voice in the Desert: Utah’s Catholic Women," was held at the Sheraton Hotel April 26-27. "We need each other, this is where we find our bond," said Amy Kennedy, DCCW president. "We come away from this convention with new information and new perspectives, united in service and prayer and renewed in faith." "We are in the desert, and there are challenges to our faith, but our voice doesn’t change," said Monsignor Robert Servatius, DCCW spiritual advisor and Blessed Sacrament Parish pastor, in his welcome. "This gathering is a strong sign of your commitment to the diocese and to your faith." The Salt Lake Deanery hosted the convention with presentations from the DCCW Legislation and Leadership commissions. The keynote address was a panel discussion on "Utah’s Catholic Women Leaders." The panelists, all from the Diocese of Salt Lake City Pastoral Center, were Veola Burchett, office of marriage and family life; Maria Cruz Gray, Hispanic ministry; Karin Hurley, office of stewardship and development; and Susan Northway, office of religious education. Kennedy moderated the discussion and asked the first question. How would the panel deal with criticism from those outside the Catholic Church who say it is not supportive of women? Many lay leaders, mainly women, both paid and volunteer, have answered the Church’s call, said Northway. Northway’s gift has been teaching, she said. "As women we need to tell our stories instead of being behind the scenes," said Burchett. Hurley suggested being open to the gifts that God places in front of us. The second question asked the panel if they experienced any challenges or barriers because they are women. Northway said there is a barrier when women are misunderstood by men, they "must love people with patience, and remember our example is the most powerful thing we have," she said. Gray, who is from Spain, faced the challenge of being an immigrant, she said. "My life changed when my husband [Deacon Forest Gray] retired from the Air Force," she said. "I became very much aware of my accent, that I was an immigrant, and the fact that I was a woman." Burchett gave the example of having had a different opinion than a man in a Marriage Commission meeting with many non-Catholics. "I received many disgruntled looks from both men and women," she said, which she attributed to being a woman who voiced her thoughts. The third question dealt with sharing their faith at work. For Northway, sharing her faith is a wonderful experience because she attends an early morning Mass at work, she said. "Every day, every breath is a blessing," Gray said, because she is allowed to help the people she loves at work, her brothers and sisters in Christ. Burchett puts her faith in action at work every day by using the words and works she has learned all her life. "I work where I can say ‘please pray for me,’" she said. Hurley recently had the experience of Catholic Community Services Saint Vincent de Paul Dining Hall and eating with clients. "It was a life-changing and humbling experience," she said. "The mission of Christ is ours." The final question asked the panel how those in the secular work force can incorporate their faith. "Be yourself; feel good about yourself," said Gray. Having meaning is not the same as happiness, said Northway. "It comes down to being Christ to others; for example, having patience in a conflict or having the courage to leave a job that has no meaning," she said. Burchett added, "God has placed those in secular jobs at this time for a reason, and those jobs are also vocations." "I’m not a fan of secular vs. faith," said Hurley. "We are disciples of Christ by virtue of our baptism, and we should be that where ever we go." During the convention, the Legislative Commission presented Martha Camarillo Freston, who crossed the border from Mexico into the United States at 7 years old with her mother. Although she is undocumented, she recently graduated from Weber State University under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and will attend law school. DCCW members learned they can sympathize by calling undocumented students Dreamers, which shapes the mentality, and they can vote for legislators who support the Dream Act. The Leadership Commission presented the Youth Mentor Project through three of the nonprofit’s leadership. The project works with foster children, particularly those 16 to 18 years old, who will transition into independent living. They are looking for volunteers to give 8-10 hours a week for activities, to establish relationships with the teens, teach workshops, or teach them life skills. The DCCW convention brings together women from throughout the diocese. "I enjoy coming because I recognize so many people and that means a lot," said Karan Curtis, who began attending the annual event 15 years ago as president of Saint James the Greater Women’s Council, Vernal. "Gathering together in prayer with the women at the convention is a powerful experience," said Mary Velario, Saint Peter Parish, American Fork, who has also been attending for more than 15 years.
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