Women of the diocese gather for DCCW convention

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
April 22, 2004

WEST BEND - The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women met as a whole to "Catch the Spirit of DCCW" in West Bend on April 14 and 15. The group made decisions, listened to talks, installed new officers and toured the Grotto of the Redemption.

Zelma Sholly, the outgoing co-president of the DCCW, commented that they had attended the national convention and thought it needed to be repeated at the diocesan level.

The first day began with registration at the Parkview Inn and Suites in West Bend. They had an opening session in which the convention was called to order and welcomes and introductions were done.

The women then had a business session where decisions were made about resolutions, which are the basis of their programs for the coming term of office, and on by-law changes. During this session, different reports were also read and the candidates for office gave their speeches.

John Brehany, the director of Mission and Ethics at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, presented two programs to the women. One of his talks was called "Ethical Frontiers: Human Cloning and Stem Cell Research" and the other was called "Current Crisis in Catholic Health Care."

Sholly hoped the women who attended the convention learned more about cloning and taking care of the elderly.

"This is an election year, and it is important for our women to really understand church teaching on the issue of cloning and stem cell research because this is on the table now," said Renee Beacom, current co-president of the DCCW. "We need to be able to question and address our legislators, explain our position and ascertain what their's is before this election."

In the afternoon, the women were given a tour of the Grotto of the Redemption and Patty Pierce was available for book signing in the Grotto gift shop.

During the convention, there were displays for the women to view. Each deanery and other organizations put up a display.

The "Our Lady of Good Counsel Award" was presented to Margaret Zinn, 92, the third president of the Sioux City Diocese Council of Catholic Women, at the banquet on April 14. She was not present at the banquet so the award was taken to her in Wisconsin where she currently resides. The award is presented to a woman of the diocese in recognition of dedicated service to the women and church of the diocese.

"She was instrumental in organizing and establishing the council in this diocese," said Beacom. "She is our oldest living past president. It was really exciting to be able to present that to her now, when she is with us to really enjoy it."

The Redemption Singers, entertainment for the evening, was in Sts. Peter and Paul Church.

The session on April 15 began with breakfast, voting and morning prayer followed by a talk called Successful Mourning given by Lorri Larsen, pastoral associate at St. Cecelia in Algona and wife of Deacon Robert Larsen. She began her talk with a prayer about death, grief and loss. She explained the different feelings that accompany grief and myths that people have in regards to grief and mourning.

Grief and mourning are two different ways of expressing the pain of a loss. Grief is internal and mourning is external. No two people grieve in the same way, according to Larsen.

The women were given the chance to ask Larsen questions as well as share a story about someone close to them that has died. One woman read a poem that she had written at the first anniversary of her father's death.

The women participated in a Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul in West Bend celebrated by Father James Tigges, the diocesan moderator. The new officers were installed at the liturgy.

New officers include Sheilah Pound of Jefferson as president, Joyce Roling of Schaller and Susan Draftz of Sheldon as co-presidents, Edra Broich of Carroll as secretary and Zelma Sholly of Spencer as treasurer. The new officers will take office officially on July 1 and will hold their offices for the next two years.

Deacon Tom Morgan spoke to the group after lunch about his mission experience in Haiti as well as other missions he has gone on to Tanzania and other places in Africa. He showed the women slides of mission trips. He took his wife, Sarah, his 15-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son with him to Haiti in December of 2003.

"We can't do it without the prayer support from people back home praying that the Holy Spirit will guide us in the decisions and whatever we do over there," said Morgan. "You are part of the mission. When we come back and tell these stories, it is because the people of God sent us out there. We had the call but we had the support, too, to make it possible."

The convention concluded with Father Tigges saying a few words to the women. Then door prizes were drawn and the moderators gave a closing blessing. Beacom noted that she thought the convention went well and that people seemed to enjoy the speakers and learn a lot.

"This is about Catholic women getting together. Catholic women recognizing each other and encouraging each other," said Morgan. "I am all for an organization that brings people together, especially Catholics."