Women honored in Book of Remembrance
Globe staff report
Posted June 27, 2002

The Honoring Women of Faith Project, which was supported by the Commission on Women, the Association of Women Religious and the Council of Catholic Women was received with appreciation and enthusiasm in the Diocese of Sioux City.

"Many of the persons who sent us names of women to be included in the Book of Remembrance thanked us for giving them an opportunity to honor women who had played a significant role in their lives - their parish life and family life," said Marilyn Murphy, organizer of the project.

About 500 persons - women, men, daughters, sons, friends and family members - submitted more than 3,300 names.

The names were compiled and published in two formats. One was a large, complete Book of Remembrance including all names. The other was a smaller, parish-specific booklet.

"We had requests for almost 400 of the larger books and almost half that number requested the smaller books," noted Murphy.

She found it interesting that several parishes ordered a copy to keep in their parish libraries or archives. One parish ordered books for all persons named.

One pastor requested copies of his home parish along with parishes where he had served through the years.

"It was heart-warming to receive the names of women from persons who were living outside our diocese, but who wanted the name of a teacher, friend or relative included," said Murphy.

She added that it was gratifying to see that several pastors sent in names of the women they had worked with in parishes.

"It is particularly inspiring for women to know that what they do is appreciated by the pastors," Murphy said.

Several persons sent newspaper clippings or longer stories as they submitted names for the book. All of this material is included in the Book of Remembrance at the diocesan archives.

She noted that they have set up a procedure for corrections and any corrections received are also kept in the book as well.

"We also had people asking us if we could continue gathering the names and histories of women who contributed so much," said Murphy. "We are considering ways in which that might be done."

Every present parish and some of the closed parishes and missions of the diocese are represented.

Copies of both books - the complete version and parish-specific - are available. There was a reprinting due to the demand.

The longer version of The Honoring Women of Faith Book of Remembrance, 195 pages, is available for $10. The shorter version, parish-specific booklet that contains only the names of women identified with the parish, is available for $3. For more information contact Catholic Charities at (712) 252-4547 or send your check to Catholic Charities, 1601 Military Rd., Sioux City, IA 51103.