Strategy
for change in the 21st Century
by Joanne Pohland
Catholicism is a gift that is
beyond description. While it is true
that the church currently faces many challenges, these may be looked upon as
opportunities for us to change and grow.
How should the church change in the twenty-first century?
Matthew Kelly, in his book,
Rediscovering Catholicism says:
It is true, we need change.
But we need authentic change that will bring forth genuine fruit, season after
season. We need to start educating Catholics about their yearning for happiness
and the role discipline plays in the fulfillment of that yearning. We need to
show people in practical ways how we are happiest when we allow the timeless
insights of the Gospel to direct our actions.
We need to rediscover the abundant riches of Catholic spirituality. (p. 273)
Matthew Kelly suggests a
four-step plan that seems to mesh with the very activities and projects of the
Council of Catholic Women (CCW). The
mission of CCW is uniting Catholic women to pray, study, and serve, reaching
out with Gospel values to meet the needs of the church and society. Therefore, it is no surprise that this might
be the case.
This four-step plan is
simple.
1. Nurture friendships.
Friends still listen and trust friends. Therefore, women can encourage one
another to become involved in the activities and projects of the Council of
Catholic Women. When they do this, they
not only do the good work of the Council, they help build up the whole church.
2. Pray for the people we are
trying to reach with the life-giving values, principles, and ideas of the
Gospel. As Matthew Kelly says, “Our work to share the Gospel with others should
never be separated from our prayer for those people. For if this separation
occurs, we run the great risk of falling into the pursuit of personal
agendas.” (p. 284 in Re-discovering
Catholicism) As
a Council, we know and understand the power of prayer.
3. Tell your story. If you
have ever read the story of the life of a saint, you know how life changing
that story can be. But, it is not only the stories of saints that change our
lives, the stories of the people we meet day in and day out can change us. We
each have a story. Our call is to
reflect on that story and share it with others.
4. Invite your friends and
neighbors to outreach events at your church. Inasmuch, I cordially invite you
to the New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention on Saturday, April
23 at Holy Rosary Parish in
Joanne Pohland is from
Glencoe and is the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women President.