By Trudy Burenheide, LDCCW president
“We are the heart of the Church!”
That’s how our leadership commission chair replied, when asked to share why she volunteers her time and talents to the LDCCW, Lincoln Diocesan Council Catholic Women. Michele Chambers said it is the women in the parish, the altar society (Parish Council of Catholic Women, or PCCW), that the parish community turns to in times of the death of a loved one, the birth of a child, as well as being the friendly smile and a contributor to the organization of many liturgical functions all through their generous gifts of hospitality and service.
Often the women in the pews throughout the Lincoln Diocese don’t realize they are a valued and essential member of the diocesan-wide LDCCW. Our diocese recognizes the contributions of the ladies of our diocese with the celebration of “LDCCW Sunday” Oct. 30. The LDCCW is more than 22,000 women strong! Organized in 1932, its mission was and has always been to further spiritual and family life in all parishes and communities in southern Nebraska while fulfilling the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Our officers and commission chairs want you to know why they participate at the diocesan level, how it blesses their lives and to invite women of the diocese to join them.
President-Elect Judy Weston had a desire many years ago to become acquainted with solid Catholic women and to grow in her faith. As a retired community education coordinator for Central Community College in Grand Island, she contributed organizational and technology skills to help grow LDCCW. She said the LDCCW isn’t “just one more meeting to attend,” it’s about becoming a fully-informed Catholic woman. We are the front line for our parish family when sadness or tragedy causes suffering.
Diane Synek from rural Deweese also considers it a privilege to serve and grow spiritually with Catholic women of our diocese. While working as a registered representative for an investment firm she thought of herself as one of the “women in the pews” and was actively participating with her altar society and deanery (region). Now she is sharing her talents from her professional career with the LDCCW as our treasurer.
Helping others get through a difficult time is one of the best feelings a person can have, according to Kathy Rentschler. Kathy serves others every day at work as a registered nurse at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln. She believes acts of service give each woman the opportunity to become a better person, a better Catholic. She enjoys helping others in her role as service commission chair.
To Donna Havlat, a farm wife from the Crete area, what started out in serving as teacher in the Godparent program and later with her PCCW has become a greater love of Christ through serving and friendships with faith-filled women across the diocese. Donna converted to Catholicism six months after her marriage. She learned service from her mother, and serves the LDCCW as secretary.
Shirley Huss, also a convert, was led to the Catholic Church by her husband. She joined the Church with her son (Father Steven Thomlison, a priest chaplain). Previously Shirley was employed by Lutheran Family Services as a director of donor relations. Now she is interested in learning all she can about the Catholic Church and in doing all she can to serve God through her participation in the LDCCW, currently serving as auditor.
Through Valerie Able’s participation in the LDCCW, she affirms that being surrounded by women of faith has enriched her soul. Valerie, a retired Catholic school administrator, contributes her talents as our first vice president.
Again, the common thread for all of our officers and commission chairs, Karen Dey, financial secretary, said being a member of the council has allowed her to grow in her faith and meet wonderful Catholic women. Through the work week Karen is a senior auditor for a public corporation, then attends Mass at St. Patrick Church in Utica.
The council has three meetings a year: fall, winter, and spring. Their location varies throughout the diocese and are typically on a Saturday. According to Julie Rosenbaum, after attending a meeting she feels recharged in her faith. Julie lives in Ashland and works from home as a software support analyst, currently serving as third vice president.
Barb Janda, parish secretary for Lawrence and Deweese, said she most likes the mission of the LDCCW, the fellowship, and the great women she meets and works with. Currently second vice president, Barb is convinced we are doing great things in small ways.
Coming from the rural area of Odell, Teresa Koch looks forward to traveling to different parishes throughout the diocese and meeting other women who also want to grow in their faith. She said coming together is like a mini-retreat and she is inspired by praying, working, and sharing ideas with the women of the LDCCW.
As president of your council of women for our diocese, I am humbled by these women of faith and service. A few years ago, I sought out these women in a search to discover the beauty of love and service throughout our diocese. I have found a true treasure in their dedication and love of service and relationship.
My background as teacher, agriculturally-based business owner, and convert to the Catholic faith at age 40, quickly fell into a deep desire for serving my Church; along with a questioning nature that led me to accept the invitation to serve as president.
To find out more about what we do, I invite you to go to our website, visit our Facebook page “Lincoln Diocesan Council of Catholic Women” or to join us at a meeting. Our next meeting is the winter symposium Feb. 10 and 11, 2023 at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Waverly.
I also ask for your prayers as we seek to understand how to carry out our theme for the next two years, “Together, sharing our faith as Catholic women so the power of the Gospel shines forth in our families.” May the peace of the Lord be in your hearts.
