From the President:
Jean Kelly While writing this article, I could not help but think how Connect is the appropriate name for this e-newsletter. We are doing just that – connecting with each and every one of you. Announcements, new resources, prayers and important information are all shared in this publication. It is the bridge of information between issues of Catholic Woman. Unfortunately, we know that many of you are not reading this publication (yes we can find this out!). The commission and committee chairs spend time to create their articles; it is formatted, proofread and sent out. Please encourage your members to read Connect or check with them to make sure they are receiving it. Sometimes it may go in someone’s junk mail if nccw.org is not in their address book. We don’t want to have so many doing the work for something that is not used. By now you have heard that the Centennial Convention has been rescheduled to August 25 – 28, 2021 at the same hotel in Arlington, Virginia, when we can gather safely. Pat Voorhes is busy scheduling and rescheduling the speakers and events. We are looking forward to this celebration as we have been for the last year and know it will be as special as ever! Just like your Councils depend on your convention as your main source of revenue to sustain yourself for the next year, so does NCCW. Many thanks to those that have already donated their registration or a portion of it back to NCCW. It is much appreciated. We are discussing ways to recoup this amount and will reach out in the near future. Many of our churches have opened and we have been able to participate in person in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is wonderful to be back, but it is not the same. Facemasks, tape and sanitizer change the routine of gathering after Mass and socializing. I miss catching up with other parish members and pray that we will be able to return to that again. Keep in touch with your Councils. It is important to keep them engaged and to let them know you are still there for them. I hope you have a chance to call in on Wednesdays at 2:00 pm ET for the weekly Coffee Klatch led by Executive Director Andrea Cecilli. It is a wonderful way to touch base with our members from all over the United States. The Coffee Klatch will resume mid-July; Andrea sends the theme for discussion on Fridays in her Weekend Wonder. As we face unrest in our country, be aware that, as our bishops have stated, racism has no place in the Christian heart. Please read their pastoral letter found on the USCCB website, Open Wide Our Hearts. Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July. Watching previous years’ fireworks displays on TV will have to do for this year. Small gatherings with friends and/or family will replace the parades and par- Page 2 ever, we need your help with new members. Not having a convention puts NCCW in a serious financial setback. For those of you who haven’t yet cancelled your reservations at the Marriott Crystal Gateway, our NCCW Event Planner took care of that for you, to avoid the penalty should you not cancel by July 26. We will let you know as soon as hotel reservations open for the 202One Convention. The good news is the room rates will remain the same! By Pat Voorhes, Presidentelect You have all heard by now that our 2020 Centennial Convention has been postponed to August 25-28, 2021. Many of our plans will remain the same: NCCW 100 Years: A Vision for the Future theme; Crystal Gateway Marriott; Centennial Mass and tour of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception; Gloria Purvis speaking; and the Jersey Tenors will perform. Cardinal Dolan and Abby Johnson are checking their schedules. Please continue obtaining new individual/supporting members. Thank you to all of you who participated in the membership contest to win a trip to the 2020 Convention that was postponed. All your efforts and hopefully more will be counted in the 202One Convention Membership Contest to be drawn at the May/June 2021 BOD meeting. This year, more than From the President-elect ties usually held. Our Village’s Memorial Day parade and celebration were canceled. My neighborhood held a small parade led by a restored 1948 Buick Roadmaster with the owner’s granddaughter as the parade marshal and included a few kids on their decorated bikes, the local K9’s and their owners, one dancing granny and graduates from the various high schools. It wasn’t the same as our usual big event but it helped to show you can still have fun during the pandemic. Go have some fun! . 
NCCW Individual membership:
please consider joining NCCW as an individual member if you are not already an individual member (the dues are only $50 per year . Your membership and voice is needed in this chaotic world that we live in. As an individual member, you would receive your own personal copy of the NCCW magazine “Catholic Woman”, the NCCWConnect and all mailings from the NCCW office. Join us today!  Join NCCW and recieve this quarterly magazine as part of your membership!
National Council of Catholic Women continues decades-long tradition of participating in March for Life, the largest pro-life event in the world. Active in the pro-life movement even prior to the infamous Roe v Wade decision that legalized abortion in 1973, the National Council of Catholic Women has been, since its foundation by the U.S. Catholic bishops in 1920, a voice for the dignity of every human person.
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OTHER NCCW RESOURCES AVAILABLE
FOR YOUR USE 
We are Called to Witness A program of the NCCW Leadership Commission designed to helpmembers and affiliations discover and actively participate in sharing theGoodNews, the Joy of Jesus—theNewEvangelization! This program as well as a promotionalbrochure is downloadable. New Evangelization Program and PromotionalBrochure If you would prefer to order a bound copyof the programinstead of printing it, please contact NCCW.org to order. This resource is also available in Spanish. 
You can save someone’s life…even future generations! You may not think you know someone affected by Domestic Violence but you probably do and just don’t know it. It could be a family member, a person in your church, a friend, or your neighbor. Not knowing doesn’t save lives, information can. This 52 page document is a comprehensive tool including ideas for meaningful projects, education, a safety flyer and much more. It can be utilized in many different ways, by sections or as individual pieces.
National Council of Catholic Women
Vocation Purse Club Helps Catholic women entering religious life pay off educational debt or provide required funding to enter. How You Can Help We invite all to consider raising funds in support of Catholic women wanting to pursue a religious vocation. These women are eager to answer their call to holiness and to begin their journey with a specific religious community. We, as NCCW, passed a resolution in 2015 to support vocations within the church. Your gift helps remove this obstacle from their process to say yes to God. |
| 2021 Lenten Retreat flyer with link.pdf |