NCCW convention: Find the lost sheep of the faith

Christ the Good Shepherd delights in finding those who are lost, but he may also call the faithful to be shepherds to help others find their way, said Liz Kelly Stanchina, addressing nearly 500 people at the opening session of the National Council of Catholic Women’s convention in Minneapolis Nov. 3.

“I think we all think of the Good Shepherd passage as Jesus coming to save us. Of course, he does, but I do wonder how often he asks us to go in search of the lost in his place,” Kelly Stanchina said, referring to the day’s Gospel from Luke chapter 15, at a convention whose theme was “Wide Open Hearts: Abiding in Faith, Hope and Love.”

Offering stories of two women as virtuous examples of responding to God’s call, both as shepherd and lost sheep, Kelly Stanchina, a retreat leader, speaker, author and columnist for The Catholic Spirit, encouraged those gathered to pray for the grace to make the virtues of faith, hope and love visible in their lives.

Attendees, including some priests, gathered at the Nov. 2-5 event for prayer, liturgies, presentations, decision making and socializing.

At the opening Mass, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis encouraged the congregation to use their gifts to help priests and bishops find the lost sheep —including Catholics who haven’t returned to their parishes since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s really only when we’re able to demonstrate a deep charity that we can ever have the hope of attracting people back to our Church, and you my sisters, do that in spades,” Archbishop Hebda said in his homily, thanking the women for their commitment to faith and service. “We’re so grateful for the ways in which you demonstrate charitable concern for our sisters and brothers.”

About 15 priests and several bishops concelebrated with the archbishop. Later in the convention, Bishop Joseph Williams of St. Paul and Minneapolis and William Wack of Pensacola-Tallahassee, NCCW’s episcopal liaison, also presided at Masses.

The NCCW’s charitable concern and commitment to service was clear in other presentations that morning from several national and international organizations the council partners with to serve the poor and vulnerable, including Catholic Relief Services and Cross Catholic Outreach.

Founded in 1920, the National Council of Catholic Women is a nonprofit organization that seeks to respond to Church and societal needs. With thousands of members nationwide, the council works to support, empower and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service.

The 489 convention goers, many of them 50 or older, hailed from a majority of states and dioceses in the U.S., and included more than 100 representatives from Minnesota. The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women hosted the conference. The ACCW has more than 2,000 members and 89 affiliated parish councils in the archdiocese, its website says.

This year’s event was the fifth NCCW annual or biennial convention held in the Twin Cities since the organization was founded.

Andrea Cowell, 72, of St. Pius X in White Bear Lake, said it was a “real joy” to be part of the group of Catholic women. “When you think of all the people here, we’re all from different backgrounds. They’re all faith-filled Catholic women. It’s inspiring really.”

Barb York, 69, also of St. Pius X, said she was attending for the first time, and as the new president of her parish’s council, she anticipated meeting with other presidents to gain ideas.

What women learn at the convention they bring back to their parishes, said Carol Shukle, 70, of Our Lady of the Lake in Mound and past ACCW president. “It’s always a wonderful experience to come to the convention and (hear) the speakers,” she said. “It’s always kind of uplifting and rejuvenating.”

The convention’s theme was inspired by Pope Francis’ teaching on hope in his 2020 encyclical letter, “Fratelli Tutti” and on St. Paul’s writing on love in 1 Corinthians chapter 13, said NCCW President Patricia Voorhes of Salt Lake City.

In her opening statement to the convention, Voorhes encouraged women to “celebrate the many ways you respond with Gospel values to the needs of the Church and society, and go forward from this convention with open hearts, ready to try new things to brighten and enliven your councils.”

Voorhes later commented, “People need to know what good works these women do in every single diocese. They are phenomenal … I am so proud to be their president.”

Along with fresh ideas and renewed energy, ACCW President Mickey Nickelson said she hopes those at the convention share their personal stories, especially their faith journeys, and support each other in their burdens. “I’ve met people here whose family is in need medically, spiritually, emotionally, and when we stop and say ‘we’ll pray for you right now,’ you feel a sense of the Holy Spirit on you, right then and there.”

Organizers draped the convention stage with colors to inspire reflections on spirituality, leadership and service, along with ways to strengthen and empower other Catholic women, the Church and society, said Beth Mahoney, of Taunton, Massachusetts, NCCW president-elect.

Talks throughout the weekend focused on one of the theological virtues that inspired the convention theme. Kelly Stanchina’s presentation emphasized love, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Xavier Mariette Ezeokoli described her ministry of service at Sharing and Caring Hands in Minneapolis in a talk focused on hope for the homeless.

As part of a panel discussion titled “Discover your Fiat,” Minnesota women Therese Coons, Kristin Molitor and Susan Stabile shared their faith stories. On the final day of the convention Yen Fasano, associate director of the archdiocese’s Drexel Mission Schools Initiative, tied the virtues together and sent the participants out on mission.