From the New CCW President

By SHELLY HOLT

I would like to introduce myself as the newly installed president of the Winona-Rochester Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. I’m Shelly Holt, from St. Teresa Parish in Mapleton. I’m married to Jeff, have four adult children who have blessed us with 11 (soon to be 12) grandchildren, of which 11 are boys!! My involvement with the Council started when we moved to Mapleton and I was invited to become an active member back in 1983. I have served on the local, area and diocesan levels of Council since then. In my parish I serve as a cantor, lector, Eucharistic minister, Rosary leader, hospitality and am a member of our Sonrise Choir. In the past I also taught faith formation for various grades and Confirmation. My overarching theme for my two-year term will be God Helps Us Write Our Story.

Here is the story of how the Council of Catholic Women was established. Our Diocesan Council of Catholic Women is affiliated with the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) which is part of the international World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO). In March 1920, NCCW was founded under the auspices of the U.S. Catholic bishops. The bishops had witnessed the important work done by Catholic women’s organizations during World War I and had the wisdom to call for the founding of NCCW to bring these organizations together. This gave U.S. Catholic women a unified voice, a national service program and the ability to reach out to each other through a national organization. As Catholic women we are represented at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the United Nations, the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO), Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, and Religious Alliance Against Pornography. We collaborate with Catholic Relief Services, Cross Catholic Outreach, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Mobilizing Network, and many more organizations.

Pray with me our Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel, the Patroness of the NCCW.

O God of Heavenly Wisdom, who has given us Mary, Mother of Jesus, to be our counselor, grant that in all things we may have the grace to seek her motherly help in this life and so enjoy her presence in the life to come.

O Mother of Good Counsel, Patroness of the National Council of Catholic Women, intercede for us so we may be wise, courageous, and

loving leaders of the Church. Help us, dear mother, to know the mind of Jesus, your son. May the Holy Spirit fill us with reverence for God’s creation, and compassion for all God’s children. May our labors of love on earth enhance the reign of God and may God’s gifts of faith and living hope prepare us for the fullness of the world to come. Amen.

Won’t you join with us and share how God has written your story (so far)? Check out www.nccw. org for more information!

Shelly Holt is the president of the Winona-Rochester Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.