FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS |
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What
is the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW)? |
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National
Council of Catholic Women is a federation of Catholic Women's
organizations that was founded March 4, 1920 in Washington,
D.C. at the call of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. It is an umbrella
organization for all groups and individual Catholic Women. It
unites, inspires and spiritually strengthens them to fulfill
their roles in the Church. |
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What
are the goals of the NCCW? |
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There
are three distinct goals:
- To
give Catholic women in the United States a common voice and
an instrument for united action in all matters affecting Catholic
or national welfare.
- To
insure Catholic representation on, and the proper recognition
of Catholic principles in national committees and movements
affecting the religious, moral and material well-being of
the United States.
- To
stimulate the work of existing Catholic women's organizations
to greater service and usefulness in meeting the needs of
the time.
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What
role do women play in the Catholic Church? |
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Women
play varied roles in the Catholic Church -- lectors, Eucharistic
Ministers, CCD instructors, members of Parish Pastoral Councils,
religious orders for women, and many others. NCCW assists and
encourages all of its members to actively participate in all
parish activities. It unites Catholic organizations and individual
Catholic women of the United States and assists them in acting
on current issues in the Church and society. |
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How
can women participate in leadership roles of the Catholic Church? |
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Any
leadership role that is not mandated as a position only a priest
can fill is available to be held by a woman. Through its aggressive
Leadership Program, NCCW trains as many women as are interested
in refining and honing their leadership qualities. Participating
actively in the NCCW is a great step toward undertaking leadership
roles in the Catholic Church. |
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How
is the NCCW structured? |
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Local
Level
The "grass roots" of the NCCW consist of individuals,
parish women's groups, rosary societies, CDA, etc. District
Level
Local organizations are represented in parochial districts (groups
of two or more parishes) There are nine districts in the Archdiocese
of Newark.
Archdiocesan
Level
The nine districts of Newark each select a representative from
among its members to represent them at the Archdiocesan level.
Province
Level
The Archdiocese of Newark is represented geographically
along with other dioceses, including Metuchen, Paterson and
Brooklyn
National
Level
All Catholic women are represented by their Diocesan Councils.
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How
is the NCCW run? (Officers, etc.) |
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Officers
include President; First, Second and Third Vice Presidents;
Recording and Corresponding Secretary; Treasurer; and six Commission
Chairs, as follows:
The
Church Commission creates a community of God's people
that is educated, spiritual and dynamic. We've been involved
in evangelization, social justice, peace and human rights.
Family
Concerns assists families in achieving a true Christian
life and preserve Christian principles in these areas that pertain
to the welfare of all families: Right to Life; Rainbows for
All God's Children; Ministry to the Divorced, Separated, Widowed
& Bereaved; Domestic Violence; Pornography (a particularly
successful program has been the White Ribbon Against Pornography
Campaign).
Community
Concerns involves people in working to answer the needs
of their individual communities in all areas that affect the
life and well-being of the people living in the United States,
ie.: housing, urban development, rural life, agriculture, safety,
health and welfare, economic policies, education and government.
Concerns about pornography are also included in this function,
as well as concerns raised by negative attitudes toward Catholicism
in the media and elsewhere.
International
Concerns awaken in all a conviction of each individual's
responsibility for the international society and to create through
this conviction a unity of all people. We have been working
closely with CRS for over 50 years. Programs include: Madonna
Plan to meet the health, nutritional and educational needs
of women, as well as development projects that help women improve
their economic security and improve the life of each family.
Water for Life includes projects that contribute to bringing
water to drought-afflicted communities. Works of Peace,
Help-A-Child Africa, India, Brazil, Global include emergency
and long-term projects to meet the various needs of children.
Works of Reconciliation is the Refugee Women Emergency
Fund which assists CRS to provide gender-sensitive services
for women who are displaced in their own country and refugees
in another country.
Legislation
provides members with the technical information needed to influence
legislation in their respective areas and background information
on selected issues.
Organization
Services maintains all aspects of organizational structure
- constitution, by-laws, membership programs, publicity and
leadership development. NCCW-sponsored Leadership workshops
take place periodically in various locations. We send a bimonthly
newsletter (UPDATE) to all affiliated members. This is our way
to let membership know what is going on locally and nationally.
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What
is the White Ribbon Against Pornography campaign? |
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Morality
in Media, a very active group in New York City, has declared the
last week of October as a time during which everyone who is against
pornography should wear a white ribbon to show how they feel.
The NCCW took this program a step further and had white ribbon
lapel pins created that could be worn year-round. Through our
efforts this program has circulated to groups in California, Minnesota,
and in all of the counties in New Jersey, as well as Brooklyn,
New York. We stress that the pin is just a sign and should
be followed up with action. Write your radio, television
and cable stations and let them know if you see or hear something
you don't like. Also, let the advertising companies be aware that
you won't buy their products if they appear on a show you find
objectionable. Last year, Governor Whitman, Bergen County Executive
William Schuber and Paramus Mayor Clifford Gennarelli declared
the last week in October as "Pornography Awareness Week."
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What
is the Madonna Plan? |
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Through
our cooperation with Catholic Relief Services, contributions
to the Madonna Plan make it possible to meet the needs of mothers
and children by assisting clinics by provided several services:
classes in baby care, the nutritious use of local foods, as
well as simple hygiene and the all-important basic for health
-- the provision of clean water. When we contribute to the Madonna
Plan we are saying "yes we care" to these needy mothers
and children who look to us for help. |
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What
is the Refugee Women Emergency Fund? |
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This
is the most recent undertaking between Catholic Relief Services
and NCCW (a joint effort that has been going on for 50 years).
Those who suffer most as refugees are the women and children.
They are displaced from their own countries and forced to live
in refugee camps with their children. Many times their husbands
are separated from the family and these vulnerable women must
put up with terrible ordeals. Recognizing these poor women and
children and their great need, this fund was established and is
being supported by all of the NCCW membership. |
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How
many times a year do you meet? |
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We
have only four meetings a year: September, November, March and
May. |
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Are
there any other events planned by your group which members would
be expected to attend? |
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We
have one fund raiser per year -- a Christmas Luncheon and special
auction held on the first Saturday in December, that members are
expected to attend. We also encourage members to attend our Biennial
Mass/Communion Luncheon and Biennial Convention, both of which
are held in late April. |
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Can
anyone attend an Archdiocesan Meeting of NCCW? |
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Anyone
interested in finding out more about NCCW is invited to come to
our meetings. For further information, contact Mary R. Loftus,
president, at (973) 497-4356 or (973) 265-2048. |
