Discovering the function of relationships in our
lives
by Joanne Pohland
DCCW
President
Relationships
are very important. You would be
hard-pressed to find someone who did not want to have a least one “great
relationship.”
Last
month, an estimated 1,500 people gathered at St. Mary’s church in New Ulm to
hear internationally acclaimed speaker and New York Times bestselling author,
Matthew Kelly speak about how to have great relationships. Mary Karnitz, the
New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women President-Elect arranged this
opportunity, and many thanks go to her.
What
Kelly reminded us was that life is about love and that love is a choice. This is what makes relationships so important.
Intimacy is not just something we want, it is a legitimate need. Kelly has
developed a way of looking at relationships that he calls “The Seven Levels of
Intimacy.” This is a model for discovering how relationships function in our
lives.
In
his newest book, The Seven Levels of Intimacy: The Art of Loving and the Joy of
Being Loved, Kelly not only outlines these seven levels, he also explains the
ten reasons people do not have great relationships and then the ten steps to
having great relationships.
Relationships
are ultimately ways that we help one another become the best-version-of-ourselves,
that is to strive for holiness which is our essential purpose.
How
does our intimacy affect our spirituality? We will never have more intimacy
with God than we have with ourselves. As we develop intimacy with ourselves
through reflection and self-assessment, we can then express ourselves to God as
intimate friends.
That
is the beauty of the Council of Catholic Women (CCW). Through the many and
varied activities and projects of CCW, we have opportunities to interact with
and through others and therefore develop relationships with others. Through prayer, liturgical, and spiritual
opportunities offered through CCW, we can grow in our relationship with God.
So
this Christmas, give yourself the gift of CCW and “try it out.” Go to a parish meeting or event, plan to
attend the Spring Gathering in your region, and plan now to attend the annual
Spring Convention on