Heritage Headlines Magazine Winter 2023

CHARTER ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT

ST. MARYOF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH COUNCIL of CATHOLIC WOMEN

This issue,

ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPACTFUL FORCE IN THE WELL-BEING OF AN AHG TROOP IS THE CHARTER ORGANIZATION. Every Troop is owned by a Charter Organization, which is typically a church, school, or similarly-aligned Christian organization. Without the support of their Charter Organization, an AHG Troop would not exist. When the Charter Organization and Charter Representative are involved beyond simply providing meeting space, the AHG Ministry can have an incredible impact on the outreach of the organization.

AHG is excited to shine a light on the Council of Catholic Women at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia, home to VA0128. Charter Representative Margaret Matarese and Troop Coordinator Maureen Siegmund reflect on 12 years of chartering an AHG Troop at their parish and the significant impact AHG has had on their faith community.

WHY DID YOUR CHURCH DECIDE TO CHARTER AN AHG TROOP?

At a time when so many core values seem lost, and what it means to be a woman, let alone a woman of faith, seems so difficult, the St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia Council of Catholic Women (CCW) invests their time, talent, and treasure in our girls. The goal of the CCW is to support the parish and its teachings and missions, via charitable work, social events, and valued traditions. All women in the parish are considered members, thus the charter relationship was a natural fit. The CCW set out to ensure that the faith and character of our girls are formed and nurtured in a way that supports our common faith but also challenges the girls to actively claim and live their convictions and beliefs. The ladies of the St. Mary’s CCW and the girls of VA0128 frequently work together in common cause to support our parish and community…and we have a wonderful time together doing so!

HOW MANY YEARS HAS YOUR CHURCH HAD AN AHG TROOP?

VA0128 is celebrating our 12th anniversary this year!

HOW HAVE YOU SEEN GROWTH IN YOUR YOUTH/FAMILY/WOMEN’S MINISTRY PROGRAMMING SINCE CHARTERING AN AHG TROOP?

With the CCW’s support and our amazing and experienced Charter Representative, Margaret Materese, we have weathered storms and come out stronger. Our Troop has grown and is seen as a vital and active ministry in the parish. The CCW has seen its future to help impact the next generations of young women of faith, and we frequently work together on parish service and social projects.

HOW ELSE HAS AHG AFFECTED YOUR ORGANIZATION’S MINISTRY EFFORTS?

AHG has given our girls in the parish and larger community the opportunity to live their faith in a natural and organic way. Both AHG and the CCW provide a means to form relationships built on mutual values, put work behind words, and deepen our faith life. The church is not merely a place we spend an hour on Sundays, rather it is a home and the hub of our parish family. We are called, young and old, to be active and engaged.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER POTENTIAL CHARTER ORGANIZATIONS LOOKING TO CHARTER AN AHG TROOP?

Do it! Chartering an AHG Troop gives you an amazing opportunity to truly invest in girls. Go further, though. Don’t just write a check and sign the yearly form, rather, invest your time and talents into these girls. They will gain so much from your wisdom, experience, and interests. But you will gain so much more in hope, joy, and enthusiasm.

The ladies of the St. Mary’s CCW work with VA0128 on social and service projects, have volunteered to teach badges, and are treated not just as honored guests but practically as our Troop’s own grandmas! We love them! The reason VA0128 was started by the St. Mary’s CCW has remained at the core of our relationship over the last dozen years: both groups desire to build and be strong women of faith and integrity, serving church and community.

For more information on the chartering process, visit americanheritagegirls.org/start-a-troop/charter-organizations

Margaret Matarese

Charter Organizations serve a crucial role in the AHG Ministry, as they own and operate AHG Troops. Though volunteers implement the AHG Program, the Charter Organization is able to customize their AHG Troop to best accomplish their ministry goals.