“The women range in age from their 40s to their 90s and feel a wonderful sense of urgency to become women alive in Jesus Christ,” he said. “They are hoping to encourage younger people to be involved and realize that in these times it is difficult, because a lot of younger people are chasing around after their kids. When I was growing up, there were the Catholic women’s societies and it was a different way of thinking, and a different lifestyle – but these are women who have weathered many storms in the church; and I think they are feeling a lot of hope, fun and a sense of prayer looking to bring what was started in the past to a vibrant future. I think they can attract new members – be strong and be a voice for Catholic women everywhere.”

The National Council of Catholic Women consists of more than 4,000 affiliated Catholic women’s organizations throughout the United States, representing hundreds of thousands of Catholic women, according to province director Rita Macewicz.

Milwaukee Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women 90th annual
convention

Mass celebrated by Bishop William P. Callahan and chaplain Fr. Dominic Roscioli
Speaker: Janine Geske

Wednesday, May 19
St. Joseph Center
1501 S. Layton Blvd.
Milwaukee
(414) 281-8694

Cost: $25
Send reservations
to Carol July
5645 S. 29th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53221

Convention includes:
Breakfast, Mass, entertainment and buffet lunch

“We think of the organization in four rings,” explained Macewicz, a member of St. Jude Parish, Beloit. “The outer ring consists of the local councils of Catholic women, the second ring makes up subdivisions such as the districts or vicariates. From there, are the five dioceses in Wisconsin, and then in the center is the national board. I am the liaison between all of them.”

After MACCW president Marlene Henkes, a member of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Milwaukee, earned her master’s degree in nursing, she looked for an outlet to use her talents and education, and wanted to surround herself with others who displayed proactive Christian conduct. Becoming part of the Council of Catholic Women nurtured her desire to help others.

“Our 20-member board meets four times a year,” she said. “In addition, we have an annual day of reflection at Holy Hill in October, which last year drew 135 participants.”

Co-historian Marjorie Zarnik, member of District 16 MACCW, began attending the national conventions in 1957 and remembers donating money and baby clothing to Catholic Charities and Milwaukee Birthright.

The 91-year old served as former vice president, president, on the district and state board, as well chair of several committees during her 53 years as a member of MACCW.

“I joined the group to learn new ideas, to conduct a meeting correctly, to meet intelligent, leadership type women, to be familiar with the officers and chairmen for information and advice, and to learn more about the archdiocese from the dedicated priest moderators,” said Zarnik. “In the early years, I was often the only delegate from my parish, St. Charles Borromeo, to attend the MACCW and district meetings, and back then, only a few members attended the conventions.”

Katherine Niggemann of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Milwaukee, was drawn to the MACCW in the 1950s by the opportunities for charitable works and spiritual activities that promoted the Christian women’s values of raising children in a Catholic home and sending them to Catholic schools.

“When I became a member, I was eager to help this group become recognized as a leading organization in the archdiocese,” she said. “Through the annual retreats and conventions, women of the archdiocese were able to extend their personal help to strengthen the outreach from this group to their own church and community.”

In addition to service work, several members such as Beverly Subel of St. Leonard Parish, Muskego, joined in 2000 to network their parish Christian Mothers organization with the MACCW.

“I noticed the closeness of the MACCW members and their concern for each other,” she said. “By attending the MACCW meetings, their conventions and district days of reflection, I found a group of women who think much the same way as I do and can find ways to enhance my faith with the programs they support.”

Former president and vice president, Audrey Shanahan, member of Mary Queen of Heaven Parish, West Allis, joined MACCW while a member of the parish Christian women’s organization.

“There would be a report at each meeting about the events of MACCW, and after attending the spring dinner at St. Matthias Parish in 2000, I joined the group,” she said. “I served as vice president for a year and then president for two years. I met some very wonderful women who I consider my friends and am very proud of MACCW.”