DCCW to hold summer institute

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
July 31, 2003

MARYHILL - The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will hold a day of reflection and prayer for the women of the Diocese of Sioux City from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 21 at Visitation Parish in Maryhill.

This year's DCCW Summer Institute invites women of the diocese to share with each other and to have a day to reflect on their spiritual lives. The theme this year is "Women at the Well: Mature Spirituality for Mature Women."

"We took from Scripture that women at the well are from both the Old and New Testament," said Renee Beacom, co-president for the DCCW. "The well and the water are a source of life and refreshment throughout the Scripture."

Every two years the DCCW presents a program for the women of the diocese. Two years ago they provided a day about vocations when they had women from different walks of life, such as married women, single women, religious women, mothers and professional women, come to share their experiences with the group. In previous years, there have been up to 100 women who have participated.

"We think that part of our task as the Council of Catholic Women is to present opportunities for growth for women, both personal and spiritual," said Beacom.

The day will begin with Mass, registration and a coffee social. Following this portion of the morning, there will be a welcome and an opening prayer.

"We are hoping the women will benefit spiritually," said Beacom. "That they will be able to take a little time away from their hectic life and reflect on where they are in their spiritual life."

The first speaker will be Sister Nancy Lafferty on the Spirituality of the Mature Woman.

"I think that we live a very hectic life," said Beacom. "We need to take time away for rest and refreshment with looking at our faith and listening to what Christ has to say to us at this point in our lives as women with a lot of different kinds responsibilities to our family, to our community and to our church."

At 11:30 a.m. the women will be given the opportunity to have personal reflection time, a Eucharistic visit or to pray the rosary on their own.

"We hope that we might come away from this day with some direction from Sister Nancy Lafferty and Father James Tigges who are speaking to us," said Beacom.

After lunch at 12 noon, Father James Tigges will speak on Spiritual Growth and Spiritual Direction.

Lavonne Hansen will have Chalk Talk at 2 p.m. discussing the theme of "Woman at the Well."

"The woman met Christ at the well and listened to him and then was sent forth to share her experience of Jesus with others," said Beacom. "We are hoping that will feed into our day and that we will come away with something to share."

The end of the day will include remarks from the DCCW president and a final blessing. There is hope that the women will depart from the day with a refreshed look at their lives, prayer and spirituality.

This day of prayer and reflection is open to all women of the diocese. There is no pre-registration necessary. Cost of the day is $10. Any questions can be directed to Renee Beacom at (712) 255-4766.