Need help with your New Year’s resolution - check out CCW!

by Ellen Nester, DCCW President

Winston Churchill is credited with saying, "You make a living by what you live. You make a life by what you give." What an appropriate thought as we begin a new year. Each of us is busy with the every day concerns of life. Will I finish that big project at work? How will I pay my ever-growing monthly bills? Who will drive the kids to day care? But a bigger question is - how do we love our neighbors as ourselves -what do we give to make our life richer?

I am a great believer in New Year’s resolutions. Not so much because I am successful at keeping them but because they are goals and reminders that life can be improved. The Council of Catholic Women is a great place to look for setting resolutions. It is our mission statement "to respond with Gospel values to the needs of the Church and society in the modern world."

We offer a good place to give. Give of your time to welcome new parishioners. Give of your talent to sew quilts for the missions. Give of your self to voice opinions against Internet pornography. Give of your prayers for the increase of vocations and support of our priests. Give of your values to pass down to our youth your time honored Catholic traditions. CCW is also concerned about environmental issues. Does your family recycle? Is second hand smoke a health concern for you? (CCW has a wonderful resource on this issue!) Our faith calls us to protect the most vulnerable among us. What can you do to prevent abuse against our seniors? How can you voice your disapproval of cloning? Battered women and children need our help...as do the homeless. Do you know the address of helping agencies?

There are so many ways to give of ourselves. 2003 seems like the year to start! Be sure to check your local CCW organization to see how you can make your life more meaningful.