CCW in action promoting global solidarity

by Judy Hoffer, NUDCCW International Concerns

The New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (NUDCCW) International Concerns Commission promotes responsi-bility for the world community through the conviction that our wealth and resources must be shared with all peoples. In response to this call for global solidarity, the commission creates awareness and educates to the needs of women and children throughout the world. The commission encourages NUDCCW members to generously support the works of peace programs and the works of reconciliation implemented in partnership with Catholic Relief Services.

One of the programs the NUDCCW International Concerns Commission supports is the New Ulm diocese mission parish of San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. This mission parish includes 22 church communities in the Guatemalan highlands. Financial support of projects in San Lucas Toliman are constantly at work to improve housing, health, food, farming, water, conservation, gardening, and much more. The Guatemalan people help themselves through participating in these projects, which improves their quality of life as well as allowing them dignity and positive self-concept.

Other International Concerns projects the NUDCCW supports include:

Water For Life provides access to clean, safe drinking water, and education in the management of these water systems, to ensure benefits for years to come. Better health is an almost immediate change for these people. Women who previously spent 5 hours per day carrying water now have time and energy to care for themselves and their families.

Help-a-Child Latin America, Help-a-Child India, Help-a-Child Africa, and Help-a-Child Global support Catholic Relief Service projects in the areas of food, health and education for children to alleviate suffering of children and their families.

The Madonna Plan provides funds to support the family through providing clean water, mother-child health centers, funds for education and training for girls in societies which exclude them from education, and provides income generating workshops such as teaching sewing and weaving, and giving them small loans which stimulate income-generating activities.

Refugee Women Emergency Fund, established by NUDCCW in leadership with Catholic Relief Services, addresses the plight of the world’s 22 million refugee women and children, including providing food, water, shelter, firewood, medical services, literacy training and more.

Most of all, the New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women acknowledge the dignity and sacredness of the human person and the moral responsibility to those in need and suffering.