DCCW Convention speaks of women in scripture

OGDEN — "The purpose of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) Convention is to provide inspirational speakers, spiritually refresh women’s councils and leaders, and give them new ideas. It is a time to rekindle old friendships, make new ones, and honor the women of the year," said Patricia Musich, DCCW president at the 78th Annual DCCW Convention held at the Ogden Marriott Hotel April 22-23.

Holy Cross Sister Kathleen Moroney, an immigration attorney for Holy Cross Ministries, was the Church Commission workshop guest speaker. Her talk, "Women in Scripture," was written and slated to be given by Holy Cross Sister Suzanne Brennan, director of Holy Cross Ministries, who was unable to attend the convention due the death of Holy Cross Sister Margo Cain.

Sr. Kathleen said what is good about the talk is it is a way to look at women in scripture from a different perspective, and have these women help us in our daily lives.

"These two very brave women in scripture followed the callings of their deep heart," said Sr. Kathleen. "Recall back to your first grade teachers who told you to move over to one side of your chair to make room for your guardian angel.

"This seems a little whimsical, yet not entirely meaningless," said Sr. Kathleen. "The fact is the angels, messengers from God, abound in our lives and in the scriptures. These messengers come in many guises, especially in old friends and kind neighbors, and companion us through life, guiding us, directing us, and encouraging us.

"Like us, they have questions, sometimes are afraid, and wonder about the purpose of life," said Sr. Kathleen. "Like us, they travel through uncharted mountain passes and hidden valleys, and sometimes say the way is too difficult."

Sr. Kathleen said the women in scripture model for us what it takes to find God in the midst of our own busy, sometimes chaotic, and deeply caring lives. These women share with us their strengths and weaknesses, which led them to discover God and to follow their deep hearts so they could continue through uncharted territory.

"The heart is regarded as the organ of our inner vision, the place of insight and understanding," said Sr. Kathleen. "Let’s look at Mary, the mother of Jesus, and how she uncovered a deep heart, trusted a deep heart, acted out of a deep heart, created a deep heart community, and rejoiced in deep heart work."

Sr. Kathleen said Mary, the mother of Jesus, was called by God to save the people just as much as Moses and Abraham. Mary is described as a quiet young woman who was independent and strong. She was a woman who made the decision to be the mother of Jesus, which would lead her into exile, and cause her to be looked down upon. She knew suffering, poverty, and felt powerlessness like so many women today. Mary, however, acted out of her deep heart and put all of her trust in her God.

"Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, who had miraculously conceived a son in her old age, John the Baptist, showed her support of other women who follow the call of God," said Sr. Kathleen. "What an important and supportive visit this must have been for Elizabeth."

Sr. Kathleen said at the wedding feast of Cana, Mary gave direction to Jesus’ ministry to change water into wine. She called to Jesus’ mind his power to change our lives. She was there at the foot of the cross to receive her son’s broken body. She was a strong and gentle woman following her deep heart.

Sr. Kathleen said Mary shared in the divine plan of our salvation and supported other women in their call to shape the world. This is coming to know the heart of God. The challenge is how each one of us, in our family and in our community today, come together to experience God and then share our feelings with the world.

The second woman of scripture described was Veronica. Sr. Kathleen said the very thought of finding ourselves alone, cut off from the touch of a warm hand, left without a shoulder to lean on, and thinking we do not matter, would terrify all of us. Veronica looked at the bruised and bleeding body of Jesus as he struggled to carry his cross. Then, in a burst of anguish for the pain she could not tolerate a second longer, she lunged through the crowd. With a grandiose gesture of unmitigated compassion for the wounds of another, she wiped away the blood on Jesus’ face with a sweep of her own veil.

"This story teaches us what the heart does that scripture does not detail," Sr. Kathleen said. "Veronica, a friend, takes off her veil and exposes herself in society to be the balm where there is only pain. Veronica cannot solve the problem, but she certainly does not ignore it."

Sr. Kathleen said the Veronicas in our lives bring the power of affirmation to our pain. They confirm the reality of our pain, its injustice, and in the end, help toward a resolution. With a Veronica at our side, we can keep on walking and carrying the weight of the day, which only a moment before seemed unbearable. Veronica brings the spiritual message: Don’t give up, I am with you.

"So let us enter into the deep heart to heal, to cure, to empower, and to let our actions be seen and our voices heard," said Sr. Kathleen.

The DCCW Convention Mass was concelebrated by Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, diocesan administrator of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, and retired Father James Semple at St. Joseph Church, Ogden. Msgr. Fitzgerald, in his homily, acknowledged the power of the DCCW’s faithful service to the diocese.

"Your theme, ‘Women united…making a difference’ is so timely," said Msgr. Fitzgerald. "As we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, we are very much aware of the fact the women of our diocese are most often the ambassadors of God’s mercy as mothers, religious, housewives, teachers, volunteers, and professional women. Our parishes and gatherings, must be places where the risen Jesus reaches out to touch and heal our wounds out of love."

A panel discussion led by Linda Popish, DCCW organization chairwoman, allowed women’s council presidents to report successful activities they hosted. Some of the ideas included retreats that empowered women, social events such as fairs, dances, breakfasts, mother-daughter luncheons, benefit luncheons, dinners, boutiques, stocking stuffers for the poor, and Stations of the Cross from Mary’s point of view. The councils also made prayer cards for the ill, dressed up as saints on All Saints Day, and visited local nursing homes.