Council of Catholic Women: Sharing in Prayer and Fellowship, Providing Essential Support

About 10 years ago, Linda Richter made a decision that has since enriched her life in amazing ways. “When I retired, I joined the Council of Catholic Women [CCW],” she says. “I found that it filled a void in my life to have other ladies to get together with. We have a spiritual connection, as well as a social one. This organization has been in our parish for a long time. Back in the day, it was an outlet for ladies to get out and socialize. It gave them a common goal to work towards. This is what has kept it going for so many years.”

Now as the president of the CCW, Linda offers her time and talent back to God and our parish family.

The CCW normally holds its meetings at the Parish Center at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of September, November, January, March, and May. At their meetings, they discuss business, go over financial reports, and discuss current parish or deanery events.

Each March, the CCW collects baby items to donate to the Abba Pregnancy Resource Center in Elk River, as well as to Cornerstone Women’s Center in St. Michael.

Also in March, they host the Spring Salad Luncheon, which is one of the main fundraisers for all of the CCW’s activities.

“All of the CCW members are asked to donate a salad to the luncheon,” Linda says. “It is a community event, and many women look forward to coming. We try to get as many ladies and men to come as we can!”

At the luncheon, there are usually raffles — such as a quilt raffle — as well as games, awarded prizes, and a cash door prize donated by CCW.

“We solicit donations from local merchants, and we also ask our members to donate items,” Linda says. “We end up with a great variety and number of donations!”

Each spring, members participate in our parish’s May Crowning of the Blessed Mother.

“Our participation varies from year to year, but we usually buy a big bouquet of roses for the Blessed Mother and provide refreshments afterward,” Linda says. “This is one of the greatest spiritual events we celebrate together each year.” continued on page 2

In the summertime, members try to collect items to give to Haiti through Sacred Heart Mission in Rochester. Each October, the CCW collects Christmas gifts to give to the Appalachian missions. On the first Sunday of November at our parish, they host a pancake breakfast featuring a bake sale. Throughout the year, they also support various parish events and support our parishioners in significant ways, such as through the Lenten Retreat and the Parish Fall Fundraiser.

“We pray for the members of our parish and support them,” Linda says. “We also give out commemorative gifts in honor of sacramental events, such as Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. We like to honor our parish’s RCIA candidates and graduating high school seniors with presents, as well.”

Members like Linda find that belonging to the CCW inspires them to grow in their spiritual lives, and bring others right along with them.

“When you are in this group, you become more aware of your fellow parishioners, and get to know them better,” she says. “You realize that a lot of them need our prayers and support. One of the greatest things I have gained by being a CCW member is that I have made new friends, and feel more connected to our parish family. The goal of the CCW is to help people in our parish and beyond."

More women are needed to enrich our parish community through this beautiful ministry.

“New members are needed to help continue the work that was started by previous generations,” Linda says. “If someone is interested, they can just come to a meeting and see who we are, and what we are about.”

If you would like more information, please contact Linda Richter at 763-497-2065 or lhrichter@live.com.

The collection committee — Mary Lettenmaier, Judy Stukey and Mary Daluge

Our Blessed Mother statue on May Crowning

Brenda O’Donnell, Linda Richter, Mary Bebeau and Rita Fay servingat the annual CCW breakfast

Erma Ripplinger and Gerri Friesz helping with the annual CCW bake sale