1. Start with people you know who are concerned about women’s leadership in the Church, love the church, and are known to be active in parish and diocesan activities. Invite them to gather to talk about how to organize a postcard campaign in your diocese or local community.

2. Brainstorm ways to distribute the cards in your parish such as through:

Requesting to make a presentation to your parish council with a proposal for parish-wide participation (You won’t know if you don’t ask.)
parish social justice committees and JustFaith groups
women’s faith sharing or Bible study groups
Handing out postcards after the Masses on Sunday or at a parish event such as coffee and donuts or a parish festival

3. Brainstorm groups in your diocese that might participate such as:

A parish community drastically affected by the priest shortage (ie. threatened with closing or merging, unable to have regular Sunday Mass)
Parishes that are widely know as “progressive”
Communities that support college Newman Centers
Catholic college communities
Women’s or men’s religious communities

4. Brainstorm what organizations you are a part of and organizations that are active in your diocese. Seek out local chapters of progressive Catholic groups who share a concern about the Church such as:

Call To Action local chapter
Women’s Ordination Conference members
Pax Christi
Voices of the Faithful

Ask them to include postcards in their newsletter or meeting notices and to email a postcard template to all their members.

5. Ask your friends and family- Use your email address book to ask for their support. Attach a template that they can copy.

6. Celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi (June 18) and include education on the loss of access to the eucharist. Discuss ways that women can alleviate this shortage.

7. Plan a special celebration for the Feast of St. Mary of Magdala (July 22) as a way to recognize the gospel witness of women. For an organizing kit that includes a sample prayer service, email magdala@futurechurch.org.

8. Hold an education program about Women in Church Leadership (order a resources packet from FutureChurch) include archaeological evidence for women officeholders in the early Church.

9. Contact the media through the following:

Send a press release to local media announcing your efforts (Keep track of how many postcards are sent through your efforts.). Write an opinion piece or letter to the editor using the facts in the Women Officeholders in the Early Church monograph and sharing your personal experience and views.
For sample press releases and op ed, contact the FutureChurch office.

10. Network with other advocates for women in your diocese. Contact the FutureChurch office to find supporters in your area.

For a postcard template, more postcards, Mary Magdala organizing kit, Women In Church Leadership packets ($10+$2s/h), or Women Officeholders in the Early Church monographs ($2), please contact the FutureChurch offices:
magdala@futurechurch.org
website: www.futurechurch.org
216-228-0869 X5
15800 Montrose Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44111