Council Comments l Mary Ann Hughes

As it is almost year’s end, it is a fitting time to reflect on all the blessings we’ve been given not just for this year, but throughout our lives. Even in tough times, God’s presence surrounds us with His eternal love and as always a chance to start anew, not with New Year’s resolutions but a self resolution to look to Him for forgiveness and guidance and to reflect on what changes we need to make peace with Him for ourselves.

I would like to thank Bishop Louis Tylka for giving me an opportunity for two more years to lead these wonderful, faith-filled women of the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women board and to thank them for their many contributions in their various commissions.

Our biennial convention was hosted by St. Louis Parish in Princeton on Oct. 8. Father Luke Spannagel, one of 56 preachers for the National Eucharistic Revival was our guest speaker. I pray that all Catholics get an opportunity to hear the powerful testimonies shared by these priests that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist.

At the convention, the installation of new officers for the next two years was also conducted. They are April Adams, vice president; Melissa Appell, treasurer; and Barbara Harzman, secretary.

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In April, the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon was held at the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria, honoring approximately 140 Catholic women across the diocese. Their contributions to their parishes were acknowledged and so very much appreciated. The PDCCW is always pleased to host this annual event and look forward to next year’s Mass, recognition and luncheon, which is scheduled for Wednesday, April 26, 2023 — the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel. More information will be sent out for this event in February through The Catholic Post and the PDCCW spring newsletter, “Women Connect.” Save the date!

Five PDCCW board members attended the National Council of Catholic Women Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in November. To attend with 450 other Catholic Women and being able to share and learn in the areas of leadership, spirituality and service is an experience that I encourage. You need to be affiliated with your Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, either as an individual or your parish women’s organization in order to attend. Next year’s convention will be held in August in Salt Lake City, Utah. I welcome a chance to tell you more about PDCCW, how you can be a part of it, what we do and our plans for the future. Please contact me at hug13@aol.com for information.

The PDCCW’s participation in Cross Catholic’s Box of Joy provided thousands of boxes for underprivileged children overseas. Combined with those boxes collected from other dioceses across the nation, Box of Joy benefits enormously from the goods and gifts they receive.

Msgr. Dale Wellman, who has been the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women’s spiritual adviser for 48 years, recently retired from that role. His guidance in these decades as our adviser has been priceless. We will miss him for his leadership and spirituality and friendship over the years. Godspeed, Msgr. Wellman. You so deserve the rest and the very best!

MARY ANN HUGHES, president of the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, is a member of St. Mary Parish in Westville.