Welcome Message 

A very special message to the women of the Belleville Diocese from the Most Reverend Michael McGovern, Bishop of Belleville.  

October 13, 2020 

Dear Members of the Belleville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, 

     I am very glad to greet you as we gather for the BDCCW Convention 2020. The theme you have selected is: Connecting with God in a Virtual World. The theme for the convention is fitting given the emergence of virtual forms of communication during a time of pandemic. As many of us have experienced, we are limiting our “in person” contact with others while relying more on social media and various platforms to communicate with family, friends and many other people.

     At the same time, we have various concerns on our minds:  family concerns, health concerns, and economic concerns to name just a few. Yet many of us may also be concerned about our relationship with God. How do I look at God during a time of pandemic? How do I communicate with God when my mind and heart are absorbed with pressing concerns? Are the members of my family connecting with God at a time when so many people experience anxiety about the future?

     As I begin my ministry as Bishop of Belleville, I join with you in recognizing the primacy of God and acknowledging the difference God makes in our lives and in our world. It is vital that we continually deepen our “in person” contact with God through prayer, the celebration of the Eucharist and the sacraments, spiritual reading, spiritual conversation and works of charity.

     Women have an important role to play in encouraging family, neighbors and co-workers to deepen our “in person” connection with God. As you reach out to those who feel isolated or are suffering in body, mind or spirit, God’s presence is felt in your compassion and empathy. Letting people know that you are praying for them or offering to pray with them can strengthen the hearts of people fatigued by the uncertainty of the past nine months. Like the holy women in Sacred Scripture, Catholic women today can inspire others by their fidelity to God despite the real challenges we face on a daily basis.

     Please accept my thanks for your faithfulness. May the Holy Spirit strengthen your minds, hearts and souls so you may be ready for the mission Christ has entrusted to us as members of His Body, the Church.  

     May God bless each and every member of the BDCCW during this convention and in the coming year. Please remember me in your prayers as I remember you and the People of God in southern Illinois.

In our Lord,

Bishop Michael McGovern
Diocese of Belleville

Reverend Steven Pautler
BDCCW Spiritual Advisor 

Greetings in Christ!

I trust you are doing well during these challenging times. I want to share some words with you to encourage you and let you know that God is available to all of us, even in the virtual world. While we may feel tempted at times to "take cover" until the storms are over, I would encourage you today to use these challenging times to take your faith to another level! READ ON...

Maggie Burns
BDCCW President 

Maggie Burns, President of the Belleville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, welcomes all women in the diocese to the our annual convention of the BDCCW. Our theme is, "Connecting with God in a Virtual World".

Morning Prayer

Madonna Stapf
Spirituality Commission Chair 

Take a virtual journey through the Diocese of Belleville. View this 9 minute video with background music provided by Fr. Brian Barker. You will get to see the beautiful parish churches and smiling faces of different Women's groups.

Learn how the Belleville Diocesan Council came to exist, the importance of the local councils, and how a National Organization (NCCW) pulls us all together! Developed for the BDCCW 2020 Virtual Convention!

Box of Joy

Ladies of the Belleville Diocese - see how you can make a difference in the life of a child! Karen Endicott, Chair of our Box of Joy Service Project explains the 2020 BDCCW Box of Joy service project, shares a video created by Cross Catholic Outreach, and shows how you can create your own "Box of Joy" for a needy child.

Fr. Steve Pautler, BDCCW Spiritual Advisor delivers a message to the women in the Belleville Diocese on "Connecting with God in a Virtual World."
~ Prepared for the 2020 Virtual BDCCW Convention

 Jennifer Sagel 

Jennifer is Coordinator of Evangelization at St. Patrick Parish in Dixon, Illinois, though her pastor prefers the term “Director of Spiritual Explosions and Pyrotechnics,” which better captures the breadth of her projects and passions. She lives in Dixon with her husband, Joey, and their children Cecilia, Gianna, Max, and Anthony.

The Belleville Council of Catholic Women invited me to speak on Connecting with God in a Virtual World. In this video I discuss how the circumstances of the COVID pandemic might make us feel separated from the love of Christ, how to build a solid foundation with the Lord through prayer, and finally how important it is to connect in a meaningful way with others both incarnationally and virtually.

Link for talk on Catholic Meditation: https://youtu.be/6Oi470FuDwY

Mass Program
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CATHEDRAL HISTORICAL TOUR
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Church Commission (CC):  (Spirituality) Works to create a community that is educated and dynamic through experiences of faith formation, worship and prayer.  This commission also serves as a conduit for helping councils focus on the spiritual aspects of our faith and how we can act on our convictions in the public sphere; praying favorite devotionals which keep us connected to God; and providing support materials.  The commission work reinforces faith and assists in meaningful ecumenical dialogue.
~ Prepares the opening and closing prayers for all meetings and CCW events.
~ Informs and encourages members to participate in regional / diocesan retreats, days of reflection, etc. Attached is a list of online resources to help support your spiritual journey:  Catholic Media Resources  

Community/Family Concerns Commission (CCC):  (Service)Works to engage the members of the BDCCW and all people in working to address the needs and concerns of their families, individual communities and society.  It focuses on action that affects the life, growth, productivity and well being of all people, especially women and children and the communities in which they live.  The commission also supports the importance of family life within the church and society.  The commission works to assist families in achieving a truly Christian life and to carry out their responsibilities within the Church, the civic community, and the world.

International Concerns Commission (ICC):  (Service) Promotes global solidarity and the conviction that our wealth and resources must be shared with all peoples.  The commission creates awareness and educates about the needs of women and children throughout the world. The commission encourages all women of the diocese to support the works of CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES, CATHOLIC CHARITIES, UNICEF, The MADONNA PLAN, WATER for LIFE, and other similar groups. For additional information, please visit the National Council of Catholic Women website, NCCW.org, Human Trafficking Information

Legislation Commission (LC):  (Legislative Advocacy Committee) Provides information and materials from the United States bishops on Catholic social justice principals and issues that form the basis for legislative advocacy.  It also enables Catholic women to fulfill their moral obligation to speak out in the public arena for those who have no voice.  Creates an awareness on how women can participate in ensuring that our laws uphold Gospel values and work for the common good. For additional information, please visit the USCCB website: USCCB - Justice, Peace & Human Development, Illinois Bishops Guidance for Election Day 2020

Standing Committees:

The Newman Center:  Works to engage the members of the BDCCW with the spiritual needs of our college students. Provides a connection to our college age students and a better understanding of the way they live their faith. Updates the council on Newman Center activities, and provides information on the needs of the Center, and how the women of the diocese can help provide support.  Since the Newman Center provides leadership for an actively involved young adult group it shall use the same reporting system as the parishes and vicariates. Newman Catholic Student Center-SIUC

Respect Life:  Provides a connection to diocesan and national issues relating to respect for life.  Creates awareness and educates about the issues, and encourages members to participate with efforts to protect life from conception to natural death. For more information, please visit the diocesan website for Respect Life Ministry

Hispanic Ministry:  Provides a connection to the Catholic Hispanic population in the diocese and the world.  Works to educate BDCCW members, and the women in the diocese, on Catholic Hispanic faith practices in order to build a more connected faith community throughout the diocese.  Actively seeks to promote a deeper inter-cultural relationship among diocesan Catholics. For additional information, please visit the diocesan website for Hispanic Ministry

Service/Hospitality Commission (SHC):  Works with the diocesan staff to provide helpers for special services at the Cathedral.