Approximately 300 gather at Holy Trinity in Winsted for 46th Annual Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention

by Ellen Nester

past DCCW President

The New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (NUDCCW) held their 46th Annual Convention at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Winsted, on April 24, 2004. The convention presented many opportunities for growth — educationally, socially and spiritually. About 300 women attended. "Let Your Mercy Be on Us" was the theme for the day.

Presenters include: Rev. John P. Echert who spoke about "Saint Luke: The Gospel of Compassion". Father Echert is a native of the Twin Cities and a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He is an adjunct faculty member of the University of St. Thomas and writes a monthly column for The Catholic Servant. He also posts daily responses to biblical question on the EWTN Website (EWTN.com). Father Echert serves as a military chaplain in the Minnesota Air National Guard and spent much of the past two years activated in the Air Force as a Catholic Chaplain, returning from a deployment to the country of Qatar, shortly before the start of the war in Iraq.

Amy Kuebelbeck presented "Waiting with Gabriel: A Story of Cherishing a Baby’s Brief Life". Amy is the author of the memoir Waiting with Gabriel: A Story of Cherishing a Baby’s Brief Life (Loyola Press, Chicago, 2003), a Catholic Book Publishers Association bestseller. A native of St. Joseph, MN, she is a former reporter and editor for the Associated Press in Minneapolis and has also written for newspapers including the Los Angeles Times and the Seattle Times.

The day also included an installation ceremony of new DCCW officers, a liturgy, displays, silent auction, business meeting and fellowship and the announcement of NUDCCW Woman of the Year, Paula Spranger.

The NUDCCW, an affiliate of the National Council of Catholic Women, consists of women in 82 parishes covering a 15 county area known as the New Ulm Diocese. The Council exists to support, empower and educate its members in spirituality, leadership and service, thus allowing them to reach out with Gospel values to meet the needs of the Church and society.