DCCW Spring Gatherings happening this month!

by Ellen Nester, DCCW President

It was 1953; many reporters and officials were waiting at the Chicago railroad station for the arrival of the winner of the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize.. Soon a large man, complete with bushy hair and a large moustache, stepped down from the train. An enthusiastic welcome began, complete with flashing cameras and crowds of people trying to shake hands with the guest. He thanked them, but seemed preoccupied by something happening on the other side of the station. He excused himself from the crowd and hurried to help an elderly black woman who was struggling with two large suitcases.

Without hesitation, he picked up the bags, escorted the woman to the bus and wished her a safe journey. The crowd had followed him so he apologized to have kept them waiting. The man was Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the famous missionary-doctor, who had spent years in Africa helping the poorest of the poor there. One of the reporters said, "That’s the first time I ever saw a sermon walking."

Not many of us will ever have the honor of being the winner of a Nobel Peace Prize, but all of us have the opportunity of being a walking sermon.

The Council of Catholic Women is sponsoring six Spring Gatherings this month, any of which you are invited to attend. Our responsibility as Catholics in this world is to be Jesus to everyone we meet. The purpose of the Gatherings is to pray together, to learn together, and to support each other in friendship. We cannot give what we do not have, so the Gatherings are our chance to re-charge ourselves with knowledge and enthusiasm.

Each of the regions has planned a Mass, a meal, and the "right" speaker to arm us with strong values.

Please check the list of Gatherings and let the Council of Catholic Women help you improve your sermon.

Yvonne Nachreiner, President

Thursday, March 11, 2004

St. Paul, Comfrey

Registration 5:15 p.m.;

Mass: 7:30 p.m.

Speaker: Jan Turner

"Leave the Son Light Your Path"

Terry Van Keulen, President

Monday, March 16, 2004

St. Joseph, Lamberton

Registration 5:30 p.m.;

Mass 8:15 p.m.

Speaker: Bishop John C. Nienstedt

"Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary/Family Values"

Darlene Wilts, President

Monday, March 29, 2004

St. James, Nassau

Registration 5:30 p.m;

Mass: 6:00 p.m.

Speaker: Mary Ann Miller, RN

"Parish Nurse - Integrating Faith

and Health"

Kathy Kohout, President

Monday, March 8, 2004

St. Aloysius, Olivia

Registration 5:00 p.m.;

Mass: 6:00 p.m.

Speaker: Patty Wetterling

"Missing Children -

The Problem, The Hope"

Barb Nowak, President

Tuesday, March 23, 2004

St. John’s Education Center, Dassel

Registration: 5:45 p.m.;

Mass: 6:00 p.m.

Speaker: Kalley King Yanta

"Raising Catholic Families"