African American Catholic Women Taking Our Place in All Catholic Women Organizations
By Beatrice Parwatikar
It is time for African American Women to take our place in other women organizations in the Church. We have a lot to offer and a lot to gain. We can help our Parishes and communities have access to the organizations' programs and resources. We can help give the organizations a more holistic view of our communities and Parishes.
I feel these four traditional women organizations are under represented by African American Women membership. They are involved in outreach programs that concern our local communities and some with international interest.
National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) is a member of the World Union of Catholic Organizations (WUCWO). Some of their work is in the areas of Environmental Issues, Family Life, International Concerns, Pro-Life, Spirituality, Vocations and Works of Peace/ Works of Reconciliation. They will host the World Union of Catholic Women Organizations (WUCWO) this May. National Council of Catholic Women is open to all Catholic women over the age of 18 years old. You may join through your Parish or Diocese. You may also join and have an Individual Membership.
For further information contact: National Council of Catholic Women; 200 N. Glebe Road; Suite 703; Arlington, VA 22203: Phone 703-224-0990 or 800-506-9407; E-mail
nccw01@algxmail.com. To check out their website go to
http://home.catholicweb.com/nccw/index .
Catholic Daughters of the Americas participate in religious, charitable and educational Apostolate of the Church. Some of their missions are Support of the Holy Father, Bishops and clergy, Habit for Humanity, Catholic Relief, Evangelization, Mother Teresa, Right to Life, Battered spouses and child abuse and many other areas of humanitarian concern. Membership is open to Catholic Lay and Religious 18 yrs and older.
For further information contact: Catholic Daughters of the Americas; 10 West 71st Street; New York, NY 10023; Phone 212-877-3041; Website
www.catholicdaughters.org
Daughters of Isabella have a motto; it is Unity, Friendship and Charity. They live up to this motto in their participation in Spiritual activities like retreats, masses and novenas; friendship sharing of talents and experience in support of one another; fundraising to support the Church, schools, scholarships, seminaries, missions and Right to Life; involvement in Respect for Life, women & family issues, civic and culture projects. Membership is open to all Catholic women over the age of 16 yrs.
For further contact information: Daughters of Isabella; International Circle; P.O. Box 9585; New Haven, CT 06535; Phone voice line 203-865-2570; E-mail
membership@daughtersofisabella.org. Website
www.daughtersofisabella.org.
Ladies of Charity of the United States of America is a part of the St. Vincent de Paul. They work with the marginalized, the poor and the sick serving their material and spiritual needs. Some of their works are caring for crack babies, working with birthright centers; working with children and abused women; providing scholarships; organizing socials for families, children and elderly; and many more programs. For help to start a group in your Parish contact: LCUSA Service Center; P.O. Box 31697; St. Louis, MO 63131. Website
www.famvin.org/lcusa/join.html
I feel it is also important for women to participate in your Diocesan Pro-Life Office for the same reasons as the other organizations. I realize this is an organization open to men and women and maybe it could become a family membership. Contact your Diocesan Pro- Life Office through your Diocesan information.
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