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NORTH AMERICA REGION CONFERENCE 2021
SUMMARY OF THE 2021 CONFERENCE OF THE NORTH AMERICA REGION OF THE WORLD UNION OF CATHOLIC WOMEN'S ORGANISATIONS
On 24 August 2021, women members of North American WUCWO organizations, husbands, and Spiritual Advisors gathered in the Arlington Ballroom of the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, USA for the 2021 WUCWO North America Region Conference with the theme, Make Me A Channel of Your Peace. Attendees found seats at round tables draped in white set for 6 persons with a centerpiece of table-sized Canadian and USA flags. Each attendee found a folder at their place branded with the logo of the Conference, the WUCWO logo flanked on both sides by crossed Canadian and USA flags. This motif was repeated in a large banner that hung above the stage and another banner on the podium. Beautiful arrangements of red and white flowers graced the stage as did the flag of Vatican City. Each folder contained a program for the day, a compostable bag holding a special conference pin, a recyclable pen branded with the conference name and date, and a holy card of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Patroness of the WUCWO NA Region. The folder also contained 4 brochures, each linked to one of the WUCWO Resolutions that were the topics for the speakers at this conference, and a notepad and holy card with the image of Mary, Queen of Peace, the patroness of WUCWO, the beautiful image drawn by the artist, Diane Andraska. In deference to the pandemic, masks were available on the table where attendees picked up their nametags, though those fully vaccinated were not required to wear a mask if they did not wish to do so, and sanitizing wipes were available on each table. The room buzzed with conversation until our WUCWO Institution Video came on the screen at 9am and all immediately fell silent to watch this description of WUCWO given by all of the WUCWO Board members from around the world. This was greeted with applause and served as a lovely way to begin our day and focus everyone on the meeting. Father Stembler, Spiritual Advisor of the Friends of NCCW for WUCWO, led us in the Opening Prayer. We then recognized with applause the women present who had served at WUCWO: Joann Hillebrand, WUCWO Treasurer General from 2006-2014, and Joan McGrath, US representative to WUCWO from 2006-2010. Next to the stage was a table draped in white that held a statute of Our Blessed Mother flanked by vases of blue and white hydrangeas. After Maribeth Stewart Blogoslawski, Vice President for North America, welcomed the attendees, there was a ceremony of remembrance when representatives of each of the member organizations of the North America Region placed a lighted votive candle before the statue of Mary after which we prayed for the deceased members of our organizations. Following our Remembrance Service, we had Holy Mass with the principal celebrant being the Very Rev. James Stembler who was joined by the priest Spiritual Advisors present, Rev. Miguel Gonzalez, Monsignor Eugene Lozinski, and Rev. Joseph Witmer, as concelebrants. Beautiful music was provided by soloist Bernadette Corso accompanied by Dr. Kimberly Hess on the piano. Music selections were: O God Beyond All Praising with words by Michael Perry and music by Gustav Holst; Prayer of Saint Francis adapted by Johann Sebastian von Tempelhoff; We Come to Your Feast by Jan Michael Joncas; Panis Angelicus by Cesar Franck, and This is My Song with words by Lloyd Stone and music by Jean Sibelius. The First Reading and Responsorial Psalm were read by Joann Hillebrand, WUCWO Treasurer General, 2006-2014 and the Universal Prayers were offered by Joan McGrath, US representative to the WUCWO Board 2006-2010. After a break during which the stage was re-set for the meeting and we were joined by the Most Reverend William Wack, Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee for the rest of the day, we gathered in our places and started the next segment with the presentation of the flags and anthems of Canada and the United States of America, the two countries comprising the North America Region. An additional flag was presented that was designed for our WUCWO North America Region and while that flag was carried in and joined with the national flags on stage, the Hymn to Mary, Queen of Peace with words written by Karen Hurley, WUCWO President General 2006-2010, was sung. Maribeth then read greetings sent to the conference from the Apostolic Nuncio to the USA, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, who extended the Apostolic Blessing from His Holiness, Pope Francis to all present. This was followed by a lovely letter from Dr. Linda Ghisoni, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, a letter of welcome from the Bishop of Arlington, the Most Reverend Michael Bransfield and our final letter was from the Chair of the Arlington County Board, Matt de Ferranti.We then enjoyed greetings from the following: -The President General of WUCWO, Maria Lia Zervino, Servidora, presented as a video due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions that prevented our Canadian and Italian sisters from attending in person;-The President of the National Council of Catholic Women, Jean Kelly;-The President of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, Fran Lucas (presented as a video);-The Canadian representative to the WUCWO Board, Marusia Kobrynsky (presented as a video);-The Supreme Lady of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Micaela LeBlanc; and-The President of the Friends of NCCW for WUCWO, Patty Sommerhauser After all these wonderful greetings, we heard from our first speaker who addressed the first WUCWO Resolution, A Healthy Planet Depends on All of Us. Dan Misleh, Executive Director of the Catholic Climate Covenant, presented on the effects of climate change based upon the science of the issue and then provided hope as he detailed the mitigating projects that are in place with more to follow. Following Dan’s informative talk, Father Stembler led us in the Angelus and a Luncheon Blessing. Maribeth then asked us to proceed to the luncheon salon where we celebrated WUCWO’s 110th Birthday with special placemats, Happy Birthday tiaras, and blowers at each place and Happy Birthday Balloons at each table! After a delicious lunch of either chicken Marsala or the vegetarian option of soft polenta with mushrooms and spinach, we sang Happy Birthday to WUCWO as we enjoyed birthday cake after which we gathered again in our meeting room for the afternoon presentations. Following a Reconvening Prayer, we had speakers that covered our remaining three WUCWO Resolutions: Molly Whalen, State Director, Capitol Region, of Best Buddies International, described the tremendous impact we can have on the lives of those who have intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). This wonderful organization, Best Buddies International, has programs that help those with IDD form meaningful friendships in school and with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, and develop leadership skills. In short, to feel valued by society. It was a talk that made many resolved to determine if this organization was present in their states and well addressed WUCWO’s second resolution, Care for the Family in Difficult Situations, Especially the most Vulnerable Members. Following a short break, we settled into our seats for our next speaker who addressed the third WUCWO resolution, the Elimination of Prejudice and Discrimination Against Women. Kathy Bonner, a noted speaker on Domestic Violence, provided a presentation that gave shocking statistics and true stories on the prevalence of this issue at every level of society. She then detailed the resources available from the National Council of Catholic Women to educate women and teens on domestic violence, teaching us what to say, how to respond, and urging us to extend this information to all, including our legislators. Our final speaker of the day was Maribeth Stewart Blogoslawski, who addressed the fourth WUCWO resolution on Responding to Our Call to Holiness. Like all our presenters, Maribeth accompanied her talk with power point slides that visually demonstrated the points made. She assured us that every one of us was created to be a saint and noted that our Church provides the way to do this. We next heard a lovely video address from our WUCWO President General who complimented the dedication of our North America Region organizations on their work and commitment to WUCWO. She detailed some of the work being accomplished due to WUCWO’s closer ties with Vatican offices and noted some of the upcoming meetings such as the third conference with women from the Middle East to be held in Athens, Greece and our next General Assembly to be held in Assisi, Italy (travel restrictions due to the pandemic permitting). While the dates of these meetings may need to be adjusted due to the pandemic, work continues to prepare for them, and we look forward to the day when we can joyfully meet again in person with our sisters from around the world! After Maria Lia’s lovely address, we had Table Discussion Time. Scribes were appointed for each table to note the comments of those at their table concerning a set of questions that pertained to the presentations of the day. The papers were collected and a summary of the responses for each question has been sent to all in attendance at the Conference. Following Table Discussion, we next agreed upon the Final Declaration of the Conference which was ratified by acclamation. Maribeth then acknowledged those who helped to make this day one of education, prayer, and fun. She also noted that we had the wonderful services of a professional photographer and a professional videographer throughout the day to preserve the memory of our gathering. The Conference closed at 5pm with Father Stembler leading the Prayer to Mary, Queen of Peace. The consensus was that we all enjoyed a day of beauty, reflection, learning, and celebration. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: We are thankful to so many who worked to make this meeting a success. Our heartfelt gratitude to:The Friends of NCCW for WUCWO for their generous and unflagging support of WUCWO and this meeting.Father Stembler for his spiritual guidance and for presiding at today’s Mass.All our priests present for the gifts of their time, expertise, and willingness to concelebrate our WUCWO NA Region Mass. Bishop Bill for making time to join us and participate with us so enthusiastically to learn more about WUCWO and the North America Region. Bernadette Corso of Armonia and Dr. Kimberly Hess for sharing their extraordinary musical talent with us.Kathy Bonner, Molly Whalen, and Dan Misleh for educating and inspiring.Maria Lia for her important message from WUCWO.Members of the WUCWO Secretariat in Rome for their friendship and gracious acts of assistance. The NCCW for allowing us to meet adjacent to Convention and to the ever-helpful NCCW Office Staff. Our Conference Videographer, John McClung of Big Dog Video Productions and our Conference photographer, Josh Silva of Convention Photography Services. My husband, Dr. Walter Blogoslawski, for his abiding patience, support, and love.And YOU, all of our wonderful attendees Thank you. -Maribeth