Sisters of Charity Celebrate Women Witnesses

Sr. Louise Akers, Co-Director of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati's Office of Peace, Justice & Integrity of Creation, has mobilized the Sisters of Charity to pray and educate about Catholic women of faith and advocacy through FutureChurch and Call To Action's Celebrating Women Witnesses resources. Below is her report.

'What a great way to raise awareness about women in the church!' With this enthusiastic response to the Celebrating Women Witnesses packets, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati's Office of Peace, Justice & Integrity of Creation decided to extend an invitation for their use. The invitation, to Sisters & Associate Members nationwide, was immediately accepted. The packets have traveled to Berkeley & San Francisco CA, Bay City MI, Ft. Myers & Lecanto Fl, Albuquerque, NM, St. Louis, MO, Colorado Springs & Pueblo, CO, Paintsville, KY, and Cincinnati, Hillsboro and Bedford, OH. Enthusiasm was contagious! Participation is as varied as the locations: high school and university students, women in the hollers of Kentucky, RCIA programs, faith sharing groups, study groups, support groups and plans Advent & Lenten adult education series. One specific example: the initial session in Pueblo will honor the 25th anniversary of the murder of the four church-women. Requests from individuals for personal use, along with gifts to friends and relatives continue to arrive! The fact that the packet essays provide well researched and creative approaches rather than the traditional gender stereotypes of significant women surely adds zest to processes where participants come to a heartfelt appreciation of the contributions of our female forebears.

The 'herstory' essays, along with personalized reflections, offer historical and contemporary role models that speak to our world and church today. Sister of Charity in San Francisco, Cathy Cahur writes: 'I am thrilled with the packets' excellent quality and with FutureChurch & Call To Action!'