By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald

SDCCW focuses on social justice

CUMBERLAND -- Women from around the diocese gathered in Cumberland June 7 and 8 for the 54th annual convention of the Superior Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. The event included speakers, awards, educational displays and a Mass.

During the liturgy, Bishop Raphael M. Fliss said time together in prayer with the participants was special. "It is special for me, for our local church in the Diocese of Superior, but mostly for your individual lives and individual parishes," Fliss said.

In his homily, Fliss encouraged participants to be the salt and light here on earth. "Salt brings out the flavor of food," he said. "In the same way, though, our Christian personality and character should effect everyone around us. Light is meant to shine brightly and the light of our Christian hearts should be able to overcome any darkness."

Fliss explained that in Catholic social teaching it is often said that there must be a preferential treatment for the poor. "God loves the poor," he said. "God treasures those who have no resources and have learned to rely on his provisions."

God invites individuals to help and to be instruments of his love. Fliss said, "God will provide what we cannot, both materially and spiritually."

Reviewing the SDCCW convention booklet, Fliss said he was impressed with the work of the organization. "Your commitment to charity is so evident," he said. "In so many ways you are a ministry to the poor."

The group's efforts reache as far as Haiti, Columbia and Guatemala.

There are also Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas baskets, clothes and quilts, food pantries, refugee emergency funds, Catholic Relief Services missions and Rice Bowl collections. "The list goes on and on," Fliss said.

Jesus commands Christians to be like him. "We don't use our own light, but will shine in the reflection of his light," Fliss said. "If our heart and God's heart beat as one, if we accept our Lord's examples and teachings as truth and make all these our own, embracing them with our own mind and whole being, the light will shine indeed. It will touch all our relationships."

Fliss encouraged attendees to be this light in the work place, school, among neighbors, relatives, friends and strangers. "They should all benefit by what Christ is doing for us," he said. "Christ allows us to present him to them."

Fliss stressed that a person's Christianity should be visible to all. "Don't just be visible within the church," he said. "It should be even more visible in the ordinary activities of our daily lives -- the way we treat anyone, anywhere, anytime."

As a past diocesan president and national CCW board member, Charlotte Snarski, a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes in Dobie, is passionate about DCCW. Snarski said the organization is important for women in the Catholic Church. "We need to have a voice today," she said. "In so many ways our morality is being challenged. We cannot legislate our morality any more. Most of the time, women don't see themselves outside of cooking and cleaning in the church."

The emphasis at this year's convention was on Catholic social teaching. Snarski said it's important for people to hear about this teaching. "They don't see it as something in their everyday life, witnessing our Catholicism." she said

Although Catholics may not be "door knocking people, like Jehovah's Witnesses," Snarski said, Catholics still need to be a Christian witness. "We need to be proud of who we are as Catholics."

"I find that most Catholics don't see (their faith) in the political arena. We have to promote Catholic social teachings and what the Catholic Church has to say on the issues that legislators vote on."

In keeping with the social teaching emphasis, Tricia Duhaime, a grant specialist with the diocesan office of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, served as main speaker and helped in this teaching process. (See related story below).

As part of the convention, the women also looked back at their history. The CCW started in the Diocese of Superior in 1950. Lilian Thums of St. John Parish in Rib Lake was applauded for being present at the group's first convention.

Another important aspect of the SDCCW is promotion of education. Each year the group gives out a number of scholarships.

Anne Yourchuck, scholarship committee chairperson, said this component of the group is close to her heart. "It's giving back to the women in the diocese," Yourchuck said. "Women and young people in the Diocese of Superior we pray they can come back to the diocese and give back what we are giving to them now."

This year's recipients were: Billie Jo Braatz and Morganna Moon, both parishioners at St. Anthony in Lake Nebagamon; Cassandra Craine, St. Anthony Parish, Cumberland, and Sara Cadotte, Holy Family Parish, Bayfield.

To be eligible for this scholarship applicants have to be in at least their second year of college. Of the winners, Craine was the only one present to receive her award.

Diana Maki, a parishioner of Holy Family Parish in Woodruff and outgoing president of the SDCCW, encouraged other women to get involved with the organization for its advocacy purposes "It's an extension of who we are as baptized and confirmed Catholics," Maki said. "It is what we are baptized for and it's not an option for us."

Pat Stine, Jane Schishik and Addie Halfmann were elected by the body as president, president-elect and secretary. Stine, a member of St. Mary Parish in Bruce, called it an honor to be named president. "I will keep my sleeves rolled up, I have been involved with the (SDCCW) for 24 years," she said. "I have a lot to learn and do. I will do it and do my best with God's help."

Church work is one way Stine said she draws closer to God. "I feel when I am a eucharistic minister, greeter it's all working for God," she said. "Doing his work is very important in my life. I know I can never follow in his footsteps the way I should, but I do my best."

Fr. Philip Juza, pastor of the Gilman, Jump River, Lublin and Sheldon cluster, also completed his term as the group's spiritual moderator. No replacement has been appointed by Fliss as of yet.

< Local Archives

© Superior Catholic Herald, 2004