The Military Council of Catholic Women Hosts

The Military Council of Catholic Women Hosts First-Ever Digital Forum and Raises Nearly Eighteen Thousand Dollars for the MCCW Endowed Co-Sponsored Seminarian Scholarship

BY ELIZABETH TOMLIN, GENERAL COUNSEL

The Military Council of Catholic Women kicked off its first-ever digital Worldwide Forum from 8-22 November. The Forum was to take place in San Antonio, Texas, during the city’s annual Fiesta in April. However, as with most events in 2020, the MCCW transitioned the event to a digital gathering. Citing the leadership of MCCW President Kim Miller, and Director of Forum Aly Tugaoen, Bishop Neal J. Buckon praised the MCCW for showing “great tenacity and great resilience” during the pandemic.

MCCW’s mission is to connect, unite, and inspire U.S. military-affiliated women to grow in their faith. While past Worldwide Forums have garnered about 250 participants at the in-person event, this year’s Forum had over 12,000 views on social media and united women across the globe.

“Faux Fiesta Forum,” as the board dubbed it, offered the cornerstones of an in-person Forum but with an extra dose of creativity. Archbishop Broglio celebrated Mass from the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center to begin the gathering. Forum included keynote talks centered on the theme of Mary’s fiat, her “yes” to God. Speakers included well-known Catholic authors, Lisa Hendey, the founder of CatholicMom.com; Emily Jaminet, author of Secrets of the Sacred Heart: Twelve Ways to Claim Jesus’ Promises in Your Life; Mary Lenaburg author of Be Brave in the Scared; and Meg Hunter Kilmer, known by reputation as the “Hobo for Christ.”

The Forum included a series of chats with each of the AMS’s four auxiliary bishops and co-sponsored seminarian David Chacko. David Chacko shared about coming to his vocation to the priesthood while he was a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy. The keynote talks, bishop chats, and seminarian interview are available on MCCW’s YouTube Channel.

An MCCW event wouldn’t be complete without a silent auction to benefit the co-sponsored seminarian scholarship that the MCCW endowed in 2018. Spearheaded by Directors at Large Denise Hummel and Eleanor Gentilini, the digital silent auction raised nearly $18,000 for the AMS co-sponsored seminarians.

Overall, the digital Faux Fiesta Forum was a great success. All women of the AMS are welcome to participate in MCCW’s many offerings, which include retreats, days of reflection, and book clubs. Visit www.mccw.org to connect and learn more. V

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“Serving Those Who Serve” Invoking abundant blessings from the Christ Child upon all of you, I wish you and all your loved ones the joy and peace proclaimed by the Angels at Bethlehem and longed for by all men and women of good will! – Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio