Mary
- Christ’s masterpiece and role model for the Council of Catholic Women
by Mary Karnitz
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is
a model of true womanhood for today. God
being sovereign could have sent His Son into the world in any way of His
choosing. Jesus could have come walking out of the wilderness full-grown, but
God chose to send His Son into the world born of a woman. That speaks volumes
about the worth of women and the importance of motherhood.
Since the Second Vatican
Council, Church teaching encourages Catholics to view Mary as a model of what
the Church is supposed to be and what each Christian is called to be. The
Council of Catholic Women seeks to celebrate and imitate our Blessed Mother
through prayer, study, and service. Every time we look to Mary we find Jesus
and that's exactly how she would have it.
Mary is a model of prayer.
The last thing we read about her in the New Testament is she was in a place of
prayer. The Council of Catholic Women (CCW) begins and ends each meeting with prayer.
We pray the Liturgy of the Hours, the prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel, the
rosary and prayers for an increase in vocations to holy orders and religious
life. We pray for our Shepherd of the Field and we pray for each other.
The many projects of CCW give
women throughout the diocese the opportunity to deepen their spirituality,
increase their knowledge of the Church, and strengthen their leadership
skills. CCW offers a scholarship program
for individuals who provide leadership in programs such as CCW activities, in
Catholic schools or religious education, and various parish programs.
NUDCCW board members may
apply to receive monies from the
Fr. Endres
Memorial Fund to attend CCW functions and deliver educational presentations for
the board members.
Mary is also a model for
service. Her attitude was selfless - she had a servant's attitude and servants
are what God calls us to be. The Council of Catholic Women deals with
contemporary issues such as militant feminism, abortion, equal rights, child
care, and pornography.
The Council of Catholic Women
looks to Mary who did what God called her to do and was blessed beyond measure.
She is His masterpiece. Mary's life points to Jesus because that's what her
life was all about.
Happy Mothers Day!
Mary Karnitz is the New