REPORTS AND EVENTS

WORLD WOMEN OBSERVATORY: AFRICA LISTENING, MAKING VISIBLE AND ACTING FOR THE SUFFERING WOMEN IN AFRICA“In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.” (Mt. 25:40)Dear friends of WUCWO, as you know, in 2021 we launched, in Latin America and the Caribbean, the pilot phase of the World Women Observatory. Thank God, we are finishing this first phase with great results that we will share with you. This year we will start in Africa, which is a huge challenge and, Lord willing, next year we will continue with Asia and so on.As mentioned by our President General in this magazine, we are proposing something new to the women of WUCWO in this Lenten season: to make a concrete charitable offering to help the most suffering women in Africa. We invite you to participate in solidarity in this Campaign of Prayer and Fundraising to realise the Observatory in Africa, one of the most needy regions of the world, and thus:• to highlight and give visibility to the most suffering women, the harm they have to endure and the wounds inflicted on their dignity;• to give these women the opportunity to reflect on themselves, their feelings, sufferings and dreams; and• to allow them to speak freely, to be heard and to discover and value their great riches; all this in order to find together, inspire, participate and promote in the Church, governments and society, solutions to their sufferings that take into account their great values and riches.This campaign also marks this year’s WUCWO Day, on 13 May 2022, and will continue thereafter. It aims to respond in a Christian way to the worsening situation of the most vulnerable women in the region due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the devastating effects of climate change.DIFFERENT WAYS OF TAKING PART IN THIS CAMPAIGN INDIVIDUALEvery woman in a WUCWO member organisation is invited to collaborate, according to her possibilities, with:1. Individual donation: the equivalent of a ticket on public transport, the cost of the food you won’t eat due to fasting, in short, whatever everyone is able and willing to give, from 1 dollar/euro or less, to 100, 500 or 1000 dollars or euros... for this one time only. Even if the donation seems symbolic, it will always be significant, just like the “widow's mite,” which, as Jesus tells us, was of great value.2. Patronage of the Observatory: becoming an “Observatory Patroness” means donating 200 USD/ Euros or more per year, for 3 years (2022, 2023 and 2024). Patronesses will receive a diploma at the next General Assembly (this would also support the start-up of the Observatory in Asia). INSTITUTIONALEach WUCWO member organisation can collaborate in the following ways:1. Organisation, dissemination of the campaign and collection of donations. During Lent, on the occasion of the WUCWO Day and/or in the following months, it is recommended to carry out a campaign according to the methods and possibilities of each culture and place, with activities such as fasting and offering of the amount saved with collections at masses, meals, raffles, auctions, etc. Individual and patronage donations can be sent directly to WUCWO or collected by the organisation and transferred in one single transaction to our accounts to save bank charges.2. Sponsorship of the project. Becoming a sponsor of the Observatory means that the organisation commits to a contribution of 1,000 to 5,000 dollars/euros or more per year, for 3 years (2022, 2023 and 2024). The organisation will be duly acknowledged at the next General Assembly.3. Obtaining sponsors. Member organisations can act as bridges and connect WUCWO with foundations, funds, individual sponsors, etc. who are willing to contribute money for the realisation of the Observatory in Africa.REMEMBER:• donations in euros should be made by sending a bank transfer addressed to UMOFC, BANCO BPM – Roma AG. 4 ITALIA. IBAN: IT54 V 05034 03204 0000 0000 9442 SWIFT: BAPPIT21A64.• donations in US dollars should be made:a) with a bank transfer to WUCWO, account No. 801038573, Swift Code CITI US 33, Routing # 271070801, Intermediary Bank 021000089 CITI US 33, CITIBANK 5134 Main Street, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515, USA, orb) by cheque in US dollars made payable to WUCWO-UMOFC and sent to Maribeth Stewart at the following address: 24 Candee Avenue West Haven, Connecticut 06516 USA. It is essential that you send a copy of the transfer or cheque to the Secretariat, indicating that it is a donation to the observatory.Let us weave together, with our resilience, a “spiritual, moral and concrete network... that will allow us to go out to meet the women who suffer most and soothe their wounds.” Thank you in advance for your generosity. May the Lord “give you back a hundredfold.”Go to the existential peripheries with freedom of heart!(Pope Francis)


MEETING WITH THE WOMEN OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE MEDITERRANEAN OCTOBER 2022 Dear friend,

With great joy, after two and a half years of communicating digitally, we can start again with face-to-face reunions: by the grace of God, we are organising the Third Meeting with Women from the Middle East and the Mediterranean, open to all WUCWO women who wish to participate, in Rafina, Athens, Greece, from 7 to 10 October 2022.

The Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, has encouraged us and gives us his blessing for the realisation of this meeting. The Bishop of the Greek-Byzantine rite of Athens, Mgr Nin, and our organisation, the Association of Greek Catholic Women, are waiting for us in Greece with open arms.

It is a great moment to develop together the theme “Women Builders of Peace in a Church which Goes Forth”. We will also be able to advance in formation for our pastoral action at the local level for the family and the role of women in the Church. We have invited the Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, Prof. Gabriella Gambino. As we did in Amman, Jordan (2013) and in Bari, Italy (2016), we will have the possibility to listen to and learn from women engaged in their local churches.

It will also be an exceptional moment to show and share what each of our organisations is doing - there will be small tables where we will showcase projects and products, and sell some of them - and talk about collaborative action among member organisations.

All this and much more in a synodal atmosphere, where it will be possible to meet and talk with the future candidates for WUCWO President, who will be elected by the next Board at the Assisi Assembly in 2023.

Although the event will be held in the town of Rafina, Greece, at the Avra Hotel, there will be plenty of opportunities to get to know Athens and some of its wonders.

It is important to register before 6 June 2022 in order to be able to confirm reservations with the hotel. There is a quota of places already reserved which will be allocated as registrations come in. In the event of additional registrations, we will check with the hotel to see if there is availability.

Please find attached a provisional programme and registration form.

For those who wish, an optional sightseeing tour can be arranged. Please find attached the relative information.

After such a long time of not being able to meet face to face, I believe that the Holy Spirit is leading us to a meeting that prepares our General Assembly in Assisi, as if it were a “pre-assembly”, where the women of WUCWO can dream together of a renewed Church and WUCWO, hand in hand with Mary, Queen of Peace.

I look forward to seeing you in Athens 2022 and wish you a Holy Easter.

María Lía Zervino, Servidora

Presidente General

WUCWO - UMOFC


REGISTRATION FORM for the WUCWO CONFERENCE WITH WOMEN FROM THE MIDDLE EAST

7-10 October 2022, Athens, Greece

Please return to the Secretariat by/A retourner avant le/ Para enviar antes del

June 6, 2022

at/à/a info@wucwo.org

First name:

(Prénom/Nombre)

Last name:

(Nom/Apellido)

Date of birth:

(Date de naissance/Fecha de nacimiento)

Country of birth:

(Pays de naissance/País de nacimiento)

Date of arrival in Athens:

(Date d’arrivée à Athens/Fecha de llegada a Atenas) Time of arrival in Athens:

(Heure d’arrivée à Athens/Hora de llegada a Atenas)


Date of departure from Athens:

(Date de départ d’Athens/Fecha de salida de Atenas)

Time of departure from Athens:

(Heure de départ d’Athens/Hora de salida de Atenas)

Hotel Avra Rafina


• These prices include from lunch on the 7th to breakfast on the 10th. Please ask for rates for extra meals/nights.

• Ces prix comprennent du déjeuner du jour 7 au petit-déjeuner du jour 10. Veuillez demander les tarifs pour les repas/nuits supplémentaires.

• Estos precios incluyen desde el almuerzo del día 7 hasta el desayuno del día 10. Consultar tarifas para comidas/noches extras.


Single room €800.00*

(Chambre simple/Habitación individual)

Double room €600.00* (per person)

(Chambre double/Habitación doble)



Solidarity fee for Middle East Women €100.00

(Contribution de Solidarité poul les femmes du Moyen Orient/Cuota de Solidaridad para las Mujeres del medio Oriente)


Special needs:

(Besoins particuliers/Requerimientos especiales) Other amount (Autre/Otra) ________





*Payment method by June 6, 2022:


Draft in Euros to/Virements en Euros à/Transferencia en Euros a


UMOFC

BANCO BPM – Roma AG. 4 ITALIA

IBAN: IT54 V 05034 03204 0000 0000 9442

SWIFT: BAPPIT21A64

After having completed the payment please send a copy of the bank transfer receipt to the Secretariat./Une fois cela fait, s'il vous plaît envoyer le reçu du virement au Secrétariat./ Una vez realizado el pago, favor de enviar el comprobante de la transferencia al Secretariado.

PROVISIONAL AGENDA:


THIS IS A SUGGESTED PROGRAM THAT YOU ARE FREE TO BOOK WITH THE GREEK TOURISM AGENCY(WUCWO will not be responsible for booking any tour)The offer is based on a 4 days / 3 nights program that will cover sightseeings that are among the most famous of theGreek mainland and a 4 nights extension that will include an island break in the Aegean Sea catching the trueessence of the Greek spirit.Please, for more information and to book the tour, contact Grecia Go (www.greciago.com), the Greek touristagency, by email: Pantelis Karavatas, Managing Director pantelis@greciago.comSUGGESTED PROGRAM: Magnificent Greek Mainland4 days / 3 nights – Pickup at the Avra Hotel in Rafina on Monday, October 10, at 8.15 amAll prices are intended per person in double roomOption A: Private Bus (minimum 15 people required)Price per person 3* Hotel: 568€Price per person 4* Hotel: 619€Option B: Private Mini-Van (minimum 6 people required)Price per person 3* Hotel: 731€Price per person 4* Hotel: 783€Option C: Private Car (capacity 2 people)Price per person 3* Hotel: 731€Price per person 4* Hotel: 783€Option D:One night stay in Athens on Monday and tour next day on TuesdayPrice per person 3* Hotel: 524€Price per person 4* Hotel: 579€Single Room Supplement for above options3* hotel is 35.00€ / night4* hotel is 44.00€ / night** It is essential to know 20 days in advance the names of the participants and payment should be cleared 15 daysbefore the tour commences.Program itinerary1st Day: Leave by the coastal road, passing the Corinth Canal, where we will make a shortstop, and drive on theTheatre of Epidavros, famous for its remarkable acoustics. We proceed to the town of Nafplio (short photo stop) anddrive on to Mycenae. We will visit the Archaeological Site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Then depart for Olympiathrough Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Overnight in Olympia (Dinner).2nd Day: In the morning we will visit The Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, The Ancient Stadium, and the ArchaeologicalMuseum. Then drive on through the plains of Achaia until the magnificent bridge which is crossing the CorinthianBay. We pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpaktos and Itea and end up in Delphi. Overnight in Delphi (Dinner)3rd Day: In the morning we visit the local Archaeological Site and the Museum. Depart for famous Kalambaka andthe astonishing complex of Meteora featuring gigantic rock formations and astonishing Monasteries. Overnight inKalambaka (Dinner)4th Day: Visit Meteora, among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks that feel like standing in mid-air, standageless Monasteries where you can witness exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. We return to Athens via Trikala,Lamia, and Thermopylae (we make a short stop to see Leonida's Monument - Battle of 300). We arrive in Athensearly in the evening.Note: In order for women to be able to visit the Monastery they need to wear a skirt and gentlemen long trousers.Program Extension1 Night in Athens3 Nights Aegean Cruise (Mykonos Island, Kusadasi (Turkey), Patmos Island, Crete Island (Heraklion), Santorini Island)Price per person in Double Room/Cabin: 539.00€(Price calculated in 3* Hotel in Athens and Internal Cabin)Price per person in Double Room/Cabin: 689.00€(Price calculated in 4* Hotel in Athens and External Cabin)

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY CELEBRATION 4 MARCH 2022


FALL MEETING OF THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS NOVEMBER 2021 The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for their 2021 Fall General Assembly in Baltimore from 15-18 November. This was the first in-person meeting of the full body of bishops since November 2019 and the joy of being able to meet in person was evident as they greeted each other and worked together throughout the week. The public part of the meeting, following regional and committee meetings held by the bishops themselves, began with the Opening Mass held at Baltimore’s historic Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the first cathedral in the USA. Beautiful music enhanced the liturgy with Archbishop Gómez, President of the USCCB, serving as the principal celebrant and Archbishop Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore as the homilist. In the homily, we learned of the history of the provincial and plenary councils held in Baltimore that led to the formation of the body of US bishops that we know today as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He noted that the early meetings, though they took place in times very different from our own, addressed issues with which we still struggle today: immigration, liturgical and catechetical matters, worker’s rights, the need for Catholic education, and the relationship of faith and culture in America. He then drew the parallel from these historical debates to today’s synodal Church, noting how the need to pray, listen, and dialogue are required to implement collaborative and inspired decisions. Their path must remain rooted in the received faith of the Church and prayer. A synodal Church does not take the way of popularity or of least resistance and must not avoid sensitive or painful issues, ensuring that the most vulnerable are not left behind when issues are selected for consideration. He exhorted the bishops to move forward in a synodal fashion by helping and consoling one another and to listen to the wisdom and love of the Holy Spirit. He reminded them that they needed to proceed together in selflessness and humility and that by doing so, they can overcome the noisy ideologies of left and right through their united love for the Lord and for His Church. It was inspiring to view the main floor of the basilica filled with our US cardinals and bishops clad in white with their scarlet and amaranth zuchettos and many tender acts of kindness as older shepherds were assisted in vesting by their younger or more able brothers. The next morning, Tuesday November 16, after Mass, found everyone assembled in the meeting room where a beautiful slide of Our Lady of Guadeloupe and the title of the meeting was projected onto a large screen centered on the blue-highlighted stage curtain behind the dais where the Chair, the President of the Assembly, Archbishop Jose Gómez, the Vice President, Archbishop Allen Vigneron, and the interim General Secretary, Rev. Michael Fuller were seated. The official observers were seated stage right perpendicular to the assembly of bishops who were seated classroom style facing the stage. I was happy to be joined by Patricia Voorhes, President of the National Council of Catholic Women and Sherry Nilles, National Regent of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.After an Opening Prayer, the Chair called the Assembly to order at 11am. He then proceeded to introduce the bishops appointed since their last meeting and recognized those bishops who have newly reached senior status. The Assembly then prayed by name for those bishops who have died since the last gathering. The bishops next heard a message from them to the Holy Father and signaled their approval by applause. The Chair then introduced the Apostolic Nuncio to the USA, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, all guests, official observers, and the media. This was followed by necessary meeting procedures: Approval of the Agenda that was accepted by voice vote; introduction of tellers who would be needed for written ballot voting; introduction of the parliamentarian; approval of the minutes of the last meeting (June 16-18, 2021 conducted via Zoom) approved by voice vote; and direction to the bound information reports everyone had recevied.We were then treated to a beautiful address given by the Apostolic Nuncio to the USA, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, who spoke about the importance of synodality in facing the challenges confronting the nation and the Church in openness to the Holy Spirit. While remaining faithful to the living Tradition of the Church, synodality, which means walking together, must bring about true reform with concrete gestures involving the participation of the whole Church. The conversion, especially in our intellect, that the synodal process brings about leaves us in a better place. He pointed out that synodality helps provide answers to the challenges and to the confrontation that is threatening to divide the US and whose echoes are felt also in the Church. Speaking about the pro-life challenge, the Nuncio said “the Church must be unapologetically pro-life and must defend innocent human life and all vulnerable persons.” In this regard, the synodal approach would try to understand better why people seek to end pregnancies and make choices against life and form a consensus with concrete strategies to build the culture of life and the civilization of love. Archbishop Pierre commended the initiative Walking with Moms in Need which seeks to walk in the shoes of local expectant mothers and their children in order to meet their needs, stressing this is a synodal approach. The National Council of Catholic Women has adopted and implemented the Walking with Moms in Need program from the USCCB through their Service Commission since it was initiated by the USCCB. He next addressed reality vs. ideas saying, “Realities are more important than ideas,” and he stressed the practical Eucharistic experience of synodality. “We can have all the theological ideas about the Eucharist – and, of course, we need this – but none of these ideas compare with the reality of the Eucharistic Mystery which needs to be discovered and rediscovered through the practical experience of the Church living in communion, particularly in this time of pandemic." He said, "We can become so concentrated upon the sacrality of forms of the liturgy that we miss the true encounter with His Real Presence.” He next said the Church needs to involve everyone in concrete action that mediates the presence of Christ in the human reality of our divided hurting world. According to the Archbishop, “The way this concrete action is actuated is through synodality.” Synodality, he continued, is a way of living the faith in a permanent way in dioceses, parishes, the families, and in the peripheries, involving all Church members in the mission of evangelization. Pope Francis described synodality as “nothing other than the ‘journeying together’ of God’s flock along the paths of history towards the encounter with Christ the Lord,” which God expects of the Church of the third millennium. He then stated that synodality must be God-driven: Dialogue must have charity, conversion, truth, and salvation as the four dimensions of dialogue. “Our dialogue and our listening,” he said, “must involve, not only talking among ourselves – bishops, clergy, religious, and laity – but also listening to God – listening to what the Spirit has to say.” The Church in the US needs this attentive listening now more than ever if she is to overcome the polarization afflicting the country. After being God-driven, synodality must be mission-driven. The synodal process should lead to missionary discipleship, whose model is the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit, who is at the core of this ecclesial “walking together,” overshadowed her. Mary and the Spirit “journey together” from the Annunciation through Pentecost. It is about humbly listening, to each other and to the Spirit, and being open to what the Spirit has in store for us. “Listening to one another and to the Spirit and walking with our brothers and sisters,” Archbishop Pierre said, “we will emerge from the present crises together as the Church Christ has called us to be!” This beautiful and comprehensive address, touching on all the points the Assembly would address in this meeing and folding in the synodal process, was met with great applause.We next enjoyed a lovely address from the President of the Conference, Archbishop Gómez who said he saw many “challenging signs” as the country emerges from the pandemic – but also “signs of hope.” He called on American bishops to share “the beautiful story of Christ’s love for us, His dying and rising from the dead for us, and the hope He brings to our lives.” People are searching for God, and are “willing to let themselves be found by God,” adding, “I believe they are ready to listen once again to the Word of truth and the Word of life. I think there are also people in our society – those who grew up without religion – who are ready to hear the Word for the first time.” “The Church exists to evangelize,” said Archbishop Gómez. “There is no other reason for the Church. To be a Christian is to be a missionary disciple.” That, he said, “is why the initiatives we have taken as a Conference of Bishops are absolutely vital.” He pointed in particular to the Bishops’ document on the Eucharistic mystery and their pastoral plan for Eucharistic revival, both of which were later voted on by the Bishops during this fall gathering. Archbishop Gómez insisted that people are not saved through plans and programs, but only through a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. He said the Eucharistic revival is a missionary project, aimed precisely at “drawing the faithful deeper into the mystery” of the Eucharist, to awaken a sense of what Pope John Paul II called “Eucharistic amazement.” “Our beautiful task,” Archbishop Gómez told his fellow Bishops in conclusion, “is to continue to tell the Catholic story, to reveal Jesus to our people – to place their hands in His hand so they can walk by His light and follow Him to eternity, to the love that never ends.” His uplifiting address was met with a standing ovation.Following the report of the National Advisory Committee, a group that suggests topics for consideration to the Bishops Conference, the election for a General Secretary was held. Rev. Michael Fuller was elected to this important position.Following lunch, the afternoon session began with Mid-Afternoon Prayer. What followed was the introduction of committee items that would be voted upon the following day. After these presentations, elections were held for the following positions: Treasurer-Elect with Bishop James F. Ceccchio selected and then for the chairmen of various committees: Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations -Bishop Earl Boyea; Divine Worship -Bishop Steven Lopes; Domestic Justice and Human Development – Archeparch Borys Gudziak; Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth -Bishop Robert Barron; and Migration -Bishop Mark Seitz. The next election was for three bishops to sit on the Board of Catholic Relief Services with Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Bishop Donald Hying, and Bishop Oscar Solis being selected. Bishop Listecki then introduced a video from Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta who spoke about the revisions made to Book VI of the Code of Canon Law on Penal Sanctions in the Church. This first part of the presentation detailed the reasons for the changes made and where those changes could be found. Part 2 of the video was to be presented the next day.An amazing end of the day followed with the entrance of a procession of members of Orthodox bishops of the United States. Archbishop Elpidophoros, Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States spoke beautifully of the overtures to dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches. “Today, I am convinced, as I present myself in front of my brother hierarchs, that this dialogue of love, initiated by Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras in 1964 in Jerusalem, continues with a particular density in this blessed country,” said Archbishop Elphidoros. He quoted Patriarch Bartholomew’s recent address to the Ecumenical Reception at the National Council of Churches, where the Patriarch stated that a “dialogue of love” between the faiths was the future for the two churches, and that the 21st century “should become the century of the restoration of unity.” This historic address was met with a standing and prolonged ovation. It provided a beautiful end to the first day of public participation in this fall meeting of the USCCB Assembly.The second day started after Mass with Morning Prayer. The day then proceeded with debate and vote on items presented by committees the day prior:Committee for Budget and Finance: Through the USCCB’s Socially Responsible Investment Guidelines, the Conference exercises faithful, competent, and socially responsible stewardship in how it manages its financial resources. The updated guidelines were presented to the body of bishops and this action item was approved as was the budget for 2022. Presenting the proposed budget, they agreed that they were optimistic that the worst of the pandemic may be behind us but that they wished to remain cautious. They also resolved that they would evaluate investments in fossil fuels in an ongoing manner and not wait three years for the next specified evaluation.Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People asked that they be authorized to begin a review of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young Adults in advance of the June 2025 mandated review date. The proposal was approved and they noted it should also include wording for protection of vulnerable adults.Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance: The Latin Church members voted to approve the revised National Statutes for the Catechumenate for use in the dioceses of the U.S. It was followed with a vote to approve the Estatutos Nacionales para el Catecumenado for use in the dioceses of the U.S. In addition, the Conference’s longstanding commitment to promote financial accountability in the pastoral governance of the diocesan bishop was affirmed through the Resolution on Diocesan Financial Reporting, which encourages the adoption of a voluntary financial reporting system by the dioceses as a means of offering further evidence of their compliance with canon law (Church law) pertaining to fiscal administration. Since its original passage in 2000, the resolution has been renewed by the bishops approximately every five years.Cause for Beatification and Canonization: By a voice vote, the bishops affirmed their support for the advancement of the causes of beatification and canonization for three lay individuals at the diocesan level: Charlene Marie Richards who died at the age of 12 and offered her sufferings for others; Auguste Robert Pelafigue who provided great service to the poor and was instumental in promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart; and Joseph Dutton, who worked for 44 years with lepers in Hawaii and who started a home for boys, causing him to he a foster father for hundreds of boys in Hawaii. The bishops also noted their continuing prayer and work for the six African-American proposed saints. They suggested a prayerful petition be carried out in dioceses this month for their cause as this is the month of Black Catholic History.Committee on Divine Worship: Each year, the USCCB publishes the Liturgical Calendar for the Dioceses of the United States of America which lists each day’s celebration, rank, liturgical color, citations for the Lectionary for Mass, and Psalter cycle for the Liturgy of the Hours. The bishops approved the proposal to inscribe Saint Teresa of Calcutta as an optional memorial on September 5 with the explanation that when memorials are first proposed they are normally made optional rather than obligatory and that the wording of the Prayer was supplied by her Sisters. This optional memorial must be confirmed by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Next, The Latin Church members of the Conference voted to approve the translation by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) of Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside Mass for use in the dioceses of the United States. Next, The Latin Church members of the Conference approved the revised English edition of the Order of the Christian Initiation of Adults. This was followed by approval of a revised Spanish edition, the Ritual para la Iniciación cristiana de adultos. These three documents would also need confirmation by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.Committee on Doctrine: The bishops discussed and approved a statement, The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church, that is meant to be a reflection on the transformative beauty of the Eucharist that invites each of us into a deeper relationship with Christ. Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis: The bishops received an update on the Eucharistic revival initiative and voted on moving forward with a National Eucharistic Congress in the summer of 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The bishops approved the national event that will be held from July 17-21, 2024. A timeline leading up to this event was presented for each year. The Mission is to renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist and the Vision is A movement of Catholics across the United States, healed, converted, formed, and unified by an enounter with Jesus in the Eucharist -and sent out in mission “for the life of the world.”The Session after Lunch began with Mid-Afternoon Prayer. We then watched Part II of the video of Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta who continued with the presentation of the revisions to Book VI of the Code of Canon Law. This segment concentrated on listing the violations and penalties for abuse of youth and the vulnerable and misuse of diocesan funds.This was followed by a presentation by the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church. Using a video with testimony from persons across the US representing many different cultures, the presentation led into the announcement of a gathering to be held of young adults June 23-26, 2022 in Chicago to celebrate the diversity of our US Church and the unity we experience through our common faith. Spurred by the 2018 Synod on Youth and fed by virtual meetings held to provide space for dialogue, the national gathering is envisioned as a wonderful gathering for young persons of diverse cultural backgrounds to come together joyously as Church.Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth: The introduction of a pastoral framework for Marriage and Family Life in the US, Called to the Joy of Love. This document provides guidelines for pastoral care with a framework of four pillars: Prayer, Formation, Accompaniment, and Advocacy with the aim to Educate, Encourage, and Engage. It is available in English and Spanish in hardcopy and is also on the USCCB website. Following a break with ice cream (!) we heard the following presentations:Committee on Pro-Life Activities: Presented on the Walking with Moms in Need initiative. Though designed to be administered through parishes and dioceses, it should be noted that this program has been promoted by the National Council of Catholic Women since its introduction under the NCCW Service Commission which made us very proud as we listened to the presentation.2021-2023 Synod of Bishops: We watched a video from Cardinal Grech, General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, that explored the definition of synodality and the need for a synod on this process that aims for communion, participation, and mission. The upcoming 16th Ordinary General Assembly will work with the results of listening sessions held throughout the world at the parish level as well as from those who no longer attend church. It is necessary to cast a wide net: those not coming to church, the marginalized, those who have left the Church -an ecumenical reach is needed. Listen to the fears, affirm hopes, encourage local participation. Follow the model of Jesus Christ: Attentiveness, compassion, tenderness. See how to engage with others. It is essential to find out what everyone hopes for the Church. It calls for listening, praying, and discerning together. Encounter, discernment, and listening is the synodal path. There are three phases: Diocesan (with reports due in June 2022), continental, and international. Set up listening sessions in locations other than churches: homes, businesses, neighborhoods, have youth invite their unchurched friends, etc.Catholic Campaign for Human Development: Started in 1970, Bishop O’Connell indicated that the CCHD has disbursed grants totaling 440 Million dollars over the last 50 years. He noted that the Church’s moral teachings are truly a gift to the world. A video followed showing the work and gratitude of some recipients. It is truly a grassroots Catholic work.Catholic Relief Services: Provides hope globally. The goal is that 3 million youth will be provided life skills by 2030 around the world. 18,000 families have been helped and have become resilient with the provision of CRS tools in the past year. High School clubs have started to engage youth in this work and to provide a means of evangelizing our youth. Some examples of work accomplished in the past year: CRS has provided agricultural and health support in Afghanistan; in Ethopia there are 6.3 million persons to feed; in the Sahel, programs to stimulate peace; In Guatemala and in the Cameroon, HIV/AIDS work; in El Salvador they are working on eradicating malaria. They work on providing food, water and on vaccine equity. They have 6700 employees in 1400 countries and provided 5.1 billion dollars in assistance. Their current slogan is Faith Knows No Bounds!Catholic Charities USA: Sister Donna Markham, CEO, noted that Cathlic Charities is number two in the provision of comprehensive social services in the USA, second only the the federal government. In the past year, 615,000 received shelter; 337,000 migrants and refugees were re-settled; 12 million were fed; 2 million received COVID-related assistance; 18,000 families were helped; 40,000 found employment; and 500,000 found mental health and family counseling. There is an official estimate of 580,00 homeless in the US and it is likely double that. Unused church-owned buildings could be converted to help with this.Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC): There are 441 organizations linked via CLINIC resulting in thousands receiving legal assistance.Committee on Migration: The document produced, Immigration Reform and the Church’s Voice, notes the need for Advocacy (facts are provided in the document to assist with advocacy), Prayer, and Accompaniement (I’m here for you). The day adjourned at 6:40PM and the public sessions were then ended. Observers were invited to attend Mass the following morning as they had every morning of the meeting and it was beautiful.As always, it was an honor to attend and it should be noted that these sessions were well-organized, seamless in presentation, and uplifiting in the synodal way that the bishops worked together, listening, honoring differing views, and then reaching consensus. It is always quite an experience to look out upon the Assembly of more than 230 bishops gathered together in prayer and work on behalf of the Catholic Church in our USA. The breaks, lunches, and enounters in hallways provided opportunities for conversation with the bishops and it was quite lovely that many of our bishops and cardinals actually sought us out to ask our opinion and observations on the proceedings. May God continue to bless our bishops and our Catholic Church in the United States of America. Maribeth Stewart BlogoslawskiVice President General, World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations

WUCWO SPONSORED EVENT OCTOBER 25, 2021
WUCWO and the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe held an event to celebrate the Amoris Laetitia Family Year on October 25, 2021. Held in Strasbourg, it was called Ecology of the Family and Integral Development. The video of the webinar can be seen at https://youtu.be/kT0HVaFiHiQ
MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARIAT SENT 04 OCTOBER 2021It is a pleasure to greet you and to update you on issues that concern all our member organisations. MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS FOR WUCWO: On the occasion of the celebration of the 110th anniversary of the founding of WUCWO, whose celebration has been extended to 2021 because of the pandemic, Pope Francis has sent us his message and blessing through Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State (see attached).  CREATION OF THE WORLD OBSERVATORY ON WOMEN: With the impulse of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, WUCWO has created, ad experimentum for two years, an observatory that has started in the Latin American and Caribbean region, in alliance with CELAM (Latin American Bishops' Conference). It aims to give women, especially the most vulnerable, the opportunity to express themselves and to be heard, so that the results of this research can be used for evangelisation and the construction of a fraternal and inclusive society.  POSTPONEMENT OF THE ASSISI GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE MEETING WITH WOMEN FROM THE MIDDLE EAST IN ATHENS: In view of the uncertain health situation and the difficulties in moving from one country to another because of the pandemic, the Board, due to force majeure, has had to postpone the Assisi General Assembly to 2023 and the Meeting with Women from the Middle East in Athens to 2022.  NEW AFFILIATIONS TO WUCWO: There are three new organisations.  Asociación de Damas Católicas (Guatemala). This is a private association of the faithful dedicated primarily to the promotion of women and the family, to foster knowledge of the living Christ in order to create a more intimate union between life and faith.  Collectif Alpha Ujuvi (Democratic Republic of Congo). It is an NGO organised by a nun of the Ursuline Sisters. The president of its Board is the bishop. It works in three areas: education, protection of vulnerable people and recovery and community development, offering alternatives that stimulate the development of women. Catholic Women 's League (Hong Kong). This organisation was a member of WUCWO and wished to rejoin our organisation. It holds fundraising events to promote education, scholarships and mentoring for young students, and provides assistance to families in extreme hardship and the elderly. Prayer and fraternity are part of their daily life.The first two were accepted by the Board as full member organisations, whereas the third as an associate member. All three will have to be presented to the next Assembly for ratification.I invite you to thank the Lord, through Mary, our Mother, for so many gifts received and to pray for the people of our staff who work so professionally and painstakingly to carry forward the Secretariat, and especially for our Secretary General, Lavinia Rocchi Carrera, who is on maternity leave because she is expecting to give birth to a baby girl in a few days. MESSAGE FROM POPE FRANCIS ON THE 110TH ANNIVERSARY OF WUCWO:His Holiness Francis cordially greets the members of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations on the 110th anniversary of the foundation of this institution, as well as all those who, together with them, join in thanksgiving for the gifts received from the Lord in these years.The Pope also exhorts you so that the example and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, model of a woman of faith, may keep alive in you the spirit which, from the very vocation of each association, calls you to imitate her in your generous acceptance of the Word of God and your selfless dedication to the service of the Church, always growing in the virtues of faith, hope and charity which form us as disciples of Christ.With these sentiments, the Supreme Pontiff imparts the implored Apostolic Blessing, as a pledge of copious heavenly blessings.
Vatican, 12 July 2021
Cardinal Pietro Parolin Secretary of State REPORT FROM THE WUCWO REPRESENTATIVE TO THE 2021 NCCW CONVENTIONIn the two years since we last met, WUCWO has been busy, even after COVID-19 called a halt to in-person meetings and events. WUCWO pivoted swiftly to Zoom meetings available with translation and continued with our work. The following is a very brief summary of what WUCWO and I, as your representative to the WUCWO Board, have been up to!MEETINGS:In January 2019, a private meeting was held with WUCWO’s principals and His Holiness, Pope Francis, in his private library. Of course, this was an extraordinary experience that will be treasured. He recognized that WUCWO represents the Catholic women of the world and from that meeting, WUCWO has been consulted and present for many of the movements and events sponsored by the different Dicasteries and Pontifical Councils at the Vatican. From that meeting, WUCWO also received and accepted an offer of renting spacious accommodation for our Secretariat in a Vatican-owned complex that is at less rent than we were paying previously and is secure by contract for 12 years.Attended Zoom meetings with the Undersecretary for the Dicastery of Laity, Life and Family; the Dicastery for Promoting Human Integral Development; the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue; and the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization. Helped plan and attended the WUCWO EC meetings and the WUCWO Board and Formation in-person and later Zoom meetings. It was determined that the WUCWO Board will continue to meet once a year in person but have more frequent Zoom meetings in between. Attended the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women meetings virtually; presented at two sessions and submitted a complete report to the WUCWO Secretariat. Continued to attend (virtually after COVID-19) other pertinent sessions at the UN in New York and continued to coordinate the International Working Group for WUCWO.Participated in WUCWO’s collaboration in the launch of the 7-year plan wanted by Pope Francis to achieve the 7 Sustainable Goals of Laudato Si'. Consequently, I accepted an invitation from the Dicastery for Promotion of Integral Human Development to co-chair of the Organization and Groups section based at the Vatican for Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ Action Platform. This will be a 7-year project and our section is proceeding well with Zoom sessions, meeting our deadline goals for actions and documents.I accepted a request from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue to be a panelist for a presentation viewed by over 1400 at the initial broadcast on Justice and Issues of Small Island Developing States and Territories.I received and accepted an invitation from Cardinal Tagle to a meeting of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples that will be in 2022.Attended the worldwide Zoom meeting to celebrate WUCWO’s 110th Anniversary and Mass. The event also celebrated the contributions of Father Whelan, WUCWO Ecclesiastical Assistant for the past 9 years, who is leaving as a new position he has been given at the Gregorian will preclude his ability to continue as WUCWO’s EA. I wrote the farewell from the WUCWO NA Region and incorporated Irish Gaelic into the talk as he is from Ireland. He responded in Irish. A beautiful and emotional celebration. Represented WUCWO at the National Prayer Vigil for Life in DC.Participated in the International Day of Prayer and the Awareness of Human Trafficking events as WUCWO was asked to co-chair both events with the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.Attended the WUCWO webinar, Women in the Church: The Challenge of Synodality that introduced the first woman Undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops and the first woman with a vote at that Synod.We are working on the WUCWO meeting with the Catholic women of the Middle East that will be held in Athens, Greece and our General Assembly that will be held in Assisi, Italy.Of course, much time was spent on preparing our WUCWO North America Region Conference that was held on Tuesday, the day prior to the start of this Convention. I enjoyed the prep and the event and hope that those present had a grand day.WRITING:Wrote the prayer for this year’s focus for WUCWO which is on Resolution #3: Elimination of discrimination and Violence against women. Wrote the WUCWO Prayer Service for 2021 that all member organizations were asked to use for their celebration of WUCWO Day 2021. Both of these are found on the WUCWO website (www.wucwo.org).Provided information for a training program for new WUCWO Board membersWrote the minutes for all WUCWO Board meetings and provided proofreading for the English version of the WUCWO magazine, Women’s Voice.Wrote the Quadrennial Report for the UN from WUCWO and the WUCWO report for the UN Department of Global Communications.Sent updates to WUCWO member organizations in North America and relayed requests from WUCWO for information to those organizations.FINANCIAL:Continue to take care of banking for WUCWO in the US; completed the forms required for charitable status with the bank used in the US; and made transfers from the US to WUCWO’s banks in Paris and Rome.Continue to serve on the WUCWO Endowment Fund Board. This Endowment Fund was started by Canada, abides strictly by Canadian law, and holds contributions from other countries as well.Obtained incorporation and 501(c)(3) status in the US for WUCWOMISCELLANEOUS:WUCWO 110th ANNIVERSARY CONTINUESDue to the fact that COVID-19 curtailed or ended celebrations of WUCWO’s 110th Anniversary around the world in 2020, the WUCWO Board voted to continue the celebration through 2021. A special Anniversary Committee has been formed.New Publication From WUCWO:With the support of Prof. Linda Ghisoni, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, WUCWO published a booklet on the prevention of abuse in families and schools. The booklet is Women as Agents to Safeguard and Prevent Child Abuse in Families and Schools. To date, it has been translated from English into French, Spanish, Italian, Korean, and Urdu.WUCWO is supporting beatification effort for a Former WUCWO President General:Pilar Bellosillo was a woman unconditionally devoted to the service of God in the Church. She worked actively for ecumenism and all that amounted to progress in dialogue and reconciliation. She was instrumental in writing several sections of Gaudium et Spes, and served as one of the few women with voice at Vatican II. She was WUCWO President General from 1961 to 1974 and WUCWO has now joined other organizations and dioceses in promoting her cause for beatification.
At the WUCWO June 2021 Board meeting, we approved the creation of the Worldwide Observatory for Women (or WOW) that will address women’s issues from a Catholic viewpoint using social anthropological methods and that will produce reports translated into several languages that will be disseminated widely.
Increased use of Social Media platforms such as Facebook has promoted and made known WUCWO efforts. A new communication group for WUCWO has been formed using WhatsApp and is very active indeed.
Two training seminars were held focused on the Elimination of Violence Against Women: One in Africa and the other in Latin America.
There has been more, of course, but these highlights should serve to inform you of the excellent ever-growing and far-reaching work that has been accomplished by WUCWO.
As always, if you have any ideas, comments, or questions regarding WUCWO and our work, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Serving as our WUCWO Rep from the US and as the Vice President General of WUCWO, Vice President for North America, and International Rep to the UN for WUCWO in NY continues to be an extraordinary experience for which I am ever grateful. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity and I hope you find that my service in this position meets your expectations.
May Mary Queen of Peace, Patroness of WUCWO, ask her Divine Son to bless you, your families, and organizations with wisdom, joy, and peace.
Thank you.
Madame President, this concludes my report.
Maribeth Stewart Blogoslawski
REPORT FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT GENERAL AND THE VICE PRESIDENT NORTH AMERICA FOR THE WUCWO BOARD MEETING SEPTEMBER 2021Planned and held the WUCWO North America Region Conference that went very well though no one from Canada and Maria Lia could not attend due to pandemic travel restrictions. Video messages from Maria Lia, CWL Canada, and the Canadian Board member, Marusia, were well received. The President of the NCCW USA, Jean Kelly, and the Supreme Lady of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Micaela Leblanc, delivered in-person messages. All four of the WUCWO Resolutions were discussed and the 110th birthday of WUCWO was celebrated.The Friends of NCCW for WUCWO voted to combine their WUCWO Endowment Fund with the WUCWO Endowment Fund held in Canada. Awaiting instructions from Canada on the best way to do this.Attended the Convention of the National Council of Catholic Women USA as their Immediate Past President and the USA WUCWO representative. Reported to NCCW and to the Friends of NCCW for WUCWO about the activities of WUCWO. The NCCW installed their new President, Patricia Voorhes.The CWL Canada held their national convention virtually and installed their new president, Fran Lucas.
WUCWO BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 2021A two-day Board meeting was held via Zoom to learn updates from the Standing Committees (Finance, International, Statutes, and Communications) and Working Groups (Four Groups each addressing one of the WUCWO Resolutions). In addition, the Board voted to postpone the Meeting with the Women of the Middle East to 2022 (from November 2021) and the next General Assembly to be held in Assisi, Italy to 2023 due to COVID travel restrictions. Another notable item discussed was a new Decree from the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life which is the Dicastery (Vatican office) that oversees WUCWO. The Decree states that: 1) All major decisions made by an association that falls under the Dicastery’s oversight must be made by the members of the association. This does not change anything for WUCWO since the Board is the governing body and all changes to the WUCWO Statutes are adopted at General Assemblies following voting by member organizations’ delegates. 2) The term of office for a Moderator (which for WUCWO is the President General) cannot exceed ten years and there is no possibility of holding this office again. The WUCWO Statutes will need to be modified to accommodate this change. 3) The term of a member of the governing body (which for WUCWO is the Board) shall be 5 years with the possibility of renewing once for a maximum continuous time on the Board being 10 years. It will be possible for a Board member to serve again after a one term break in service. The WUCWO Statutes will need to be amended for this as currently, a Board member serves a 4-year term with the possibility of renewing twice for a maximum of 12 years. The Decree went into effect on 11 September 2021 and associations have 24 months from then to implement any necessary changes. These changes will not be drastic for WUCWO but were put into place because some other associations just don’t have any provision or inclination to change their president or governing bodies. The 24-month implementation period will allow for changes to be made to the Statutes at the next General Assembly slated for 2023 so there will not be any issues for WUCWO regarding this new Decree.
WUCWO/ HOLY SEE MEETINGS SEPTEMBER 2021The Embassy of France to the Holy See and the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO) held, in line with the Amoris Laetitia Family Year, an international conference by Zoom: The new pastoral style of Amoris Laetitia: welcoming, accompanying, discerning and integrating on 15 September 2021. The conference featured Oranne de Mautort, theologian and co-author of the book Familles, belles et fragiles! and Dr Gabriella Gambino, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life.
A by-invitation only Zoom meeting was held on 16 September with the Dicastery of Laity, Family, and Life to discuss the philosophy behind the new Decree described above. I attended (though it began at 3am my time!) and enjoyed the discussions that were led off by His Holiness, Pope Francis, and that featured talks from theologians and from Dr. Linda Ghisoni, Undersecretary for Laity from the Dicastery. Linda had provided a lovely letter of greetings for our WUCWO NA Region Conference.
A meeting of the Vatican’s Working Group for Organizations for Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ Action Platform was held via Zoom on 14 September to discuss upcoming assignments and work to be done. As a co-chair of this Group, I was happy to attend.
Wishing all who read this the blessings of joy and peace though the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace,
Maribeth Stewart Blogoslawski UNITED NATIONS -SEPTEMBER 2021:In- person attendance at the UN in NY is still prohibited due to COVID restrictions at least through the end of October 2021. Accordingly, I have attended one session since our NCCW Convention on 7 September via Zoom at the invitation of the Office of the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN. It was the High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace on the theme “Transformative Role of The Culture of Peace: Promoting Resilience and Inclusion in Post-Covid Recovery." The statement made by H. E. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations was quite comprehensive and powerful. In essence, he stated:COVID-19 has deeply impacted humanity on an individual and societal level. Families have lost loved ones, lock-downs have impoverished human relationships and interactions, disrupted economies, and inequalities have been further exposed and exacerbated. Now is the time to rebuild with an approach steered by peace and fraternity and with more resilience and inclusion than before. He went on to discuss this in terms of three areas: Resilience and inclusion in human relationships: While we recover economically from COVID-19, we must also recover socially by rekindling and mending human relationships. As Pope Francis underlined, in his Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti, we need a recovery of kindness in everyday life.Resilience and inclusion of the poor and vulnerable: The COVID-19 pandemic blatantly exposed the plight of the poor and those on the margins of our society; true recovery requires putting them first. Our inclusivity and, to a certain extent, our resilience can be measured by how our societies treat the poorest and those in vulnerable situations, especially in times of crisis. Only in respecting their dignity and valuing their contribution can they be truly integrated into society.Resilience and inclusion of the environment: Finally, we must also reconsider our culture of consumerism and its impact on our common home. Our economic systems, production patterns, energy use, and how we live our daily lives can only be resilient if they are sustainable. The negative impacts of excessive consumption and most notably climate change, disproportionately affect the poor and those in vulnerable situations. -Maribeth