Now that we're reorganized, what's next. Here are some tips.
WHAT IS THE “DEANERY”?
A “Deanery” is a geographical grouping of congregations within a “Diocese”.
The purpose of the Deanery is to enable clergy and laity to share common interests and concerns and to work together with more strength than is sometimes available to single congregations. The Bishop appoints the Dean of each Deanery, who serves at the Bishop’s discretion. Organizations on the Deanery level include the Clergy, the Pastoral Council, the Church Women (Council of Catholic Women), and the Mission Groups.
The St. Cloud Diocese is structured into five deaneries. The purpose of this division is to focus more clearly on the pastoral needs of each region of the diocese and to share responsibility for the care of these regions with the Deans.
The deaneries also offer us the opportunity to draw more people into the life of the local Church. It will also ensure that those who are vitally involved in the area will have a say in the planning.
This framework could also provide an opportunity for some projects to be conducted at regional level and will enable greater support within the deanery to take place
WHAT THE DEANERY CHRISTIAN WOMEN ORGANIZATION DOES FOR THE PARISHES
A. DEANERY DOES:
- Hold deanery meetings: meetings are necessary to develop more cohesiveness in the group
- keep women informed of issues important to parish life – spiritual, social, service, educational, leadership
- provide opportunities for Masses, rosaries, chaplets, prayers, etc.;
- provide opportunities to enhance spiritual life
- develop new friendships
- allow for discussion of how other parishes handle their activities – spiritual, social, etc.
- have educational programs;
- help keep members informed of worthwhile projects that need to be done (letters about legislative issues, etc.)
- Donations; Deanery collects monies and transmits them to proper agencies (NCCW, CRS, etc.)
- help keep members informed of worthwhile projects that need to be done (letters about legislative issues, etc.) Information from the Diocesan Council and National Council
- Newsletters – Provides copies for parish president and other members who wish to receive them– help develop & maintain a more cohesive organization.
- Shares diocesan resources, such as
- mentorship of new officers
- leadership training
- brochures, handouts, etc., to explain programs and/or upcoming events,
- parliamentary procedure
- DEANERY NEEDS:
- Volunteers
- Deanery Officers – President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Information Technician, Historian, Commission Chairs & Co- Chairs
- Locations to hold meetings – Board & General - to meet and share ideas to carry on the work of the organization
- FUNDS – Auction items – help fund deanery expenses – meetings, conventions, etc.
- Parish Officer’s Names – Parish officer’s names are needed by Deanery and Diocese for mailings & other communications.
- Annual Parish Activity Report – used by deanery, etc. to see which activities and projects parishes are using to enhance parish life, & then share with other parishes
- Sites & assistance in hosting Diocesan events: Retreat; Fun, Food, & Fund Day; & Annual Convention
DEANERY PROMOTES:
- NCCW Programs
- CRS Works of Peace
- Water for Life, Madonna Plan,
- Help-A-Child,
- Refugee Women Emergency Fund
- And others
- NCCW Partnerships
- USCCB (Bishops)
- WUCWO (World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations)
- Catholic Charities USA
- Catholic Climate Covenant
- CRS
- Cross Catholic Outreach
- Catholic Mobilizing Network
- Catholic Education Association
- National Fund for Catholic Religious Vocations
- Religious Alliance Against Pornography
- US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking
All information is passed back and forth, from the National Council down to the parishes and individual members. And it goes the other way too. Through our events, reports and newsletters shared with NCCW, we can help women everywhere find solutions to problems we all have in common. Back in 1920, the bishops of the country decided women needed to put their efforts together and formed the Council of Catholic Women.
This is how we can do it.
For more information, check the websites: USCCB.org, NCCW.org, stclouddccw.org,
provinceofsaintpaul-minneapolis.weebly.org, or Facebook, St Cloud Diocesan Council of Catholic Women

Structure 2023 Update.pdf | |
File Size: | 130 kb |
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What a Deanery does.pdf | |
File Size: | 187 kb |
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“Things parishes can do.pdf | |
File Size: | 76 kb |
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