4
IN OUR DIOCESE
October 8, 2013
T
he Valley Catholic
Ladies of Charity 2013 National Assembly: ‘Empower Women, Strengthen Families’
By Patricia Smith
More than 150 participants shared
news at the Ladies of Charity National
Assembly Sept. 18-22 at the Fairmont
Hotel in San Jose. Participants included
Ladies of Charity, Daughters of Charity,
Sisters of Charity, and members of the
St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Attendees from around the country
fostered Vincentian spirituality, attended educational seminars, and learned
of their new strategic plan.
According to Marge Fiala, conference co-chair, the Assembly met its
goals. She said, “Our theme, Empower
Women/Strengthen Families, was reinforced by our guest speakers. Each one
exemplified her leadership role in various service to the poor and vulnerable.”
The theme served to highlight serving women and bolstering families
through advocacy, education and collaboration in order to achieve systemic
change which is new ways of applying
resources to underlying causes of poverty. For Ladies of Charity, systemic
change needs to occur to reduce or
alleviate poverty.
The gathering commenced with an
opening Mass celebrated by National
Vincentian Spiritual Advisor, Father
Richard Gielow, CM. Sister Marjory
Ann Baez, DC, Visitatrix, Daughters
of Charity, Province of the West, welcomed participants.
Sister Margaret Keaveney, DC,
opens Ladies of Charity National
Assembly with keynote address.
Bishop Patrick J. McGrath welcomes Sister Marjory
Ann Baez, DC, Visitatrix, Province of the West (l) and
Gayle Johnson (r), president, Ladies of Charity USA.
She said, “This assembly was a wonderful opportunity for the Ladies of
Charity to come together to share their
faith, to encourage one another in serving Christ in those who are poor, and to
learn how to do this more effectively.”
Hosted by the Morgan Hill Chapter,
Diocese of San Jose, and the Western
Region, the 13th Annual LCUSA National Assembly kicked off with keynote
speaker Sister Margaret Keaveney, DC.
Sister Margaret, president/CEO
of St. Vincent’s in Santa Barbara, also
served as Visitatrix for the Daughters
of Charity, Province of the West from
1999-2008. She spoke on “Women:
Made in God’s Image and Called in
His Likeness to be Co-Creator of the
Human Family.”
The next day, the group welcomed
Dr. Carolyn Woo, president/CEO of
Catholic Relief Services, who spoke on
“SD4W: Sustainable Development for
Women.”
A number of workshops addressed
systemic change, servant leadership,
human trafficking, compassion fatigue
in caregiving, and how Jesus empow-
Calvary Catholic Cemetery
ers women. Sheila Gilbert, president of
the National Society of St. Vincent de
Paul, shared information on Blessed
Frederick Ozanam and collaboration
within the Vincentian Family.
San Jose Auxiliary Bishop Thomas
A. Daly presided at the closing Mass at
the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph.
Sixty-four Ladies of Charity associations comprise the national assembly in
the U.S. in five regions and they meet
annually. Sister Camille Cuadra, who
has served as Sister Moderator for the
Morgan Hill chapter, invites women
throughout the country to attend these
meetings.
Founded in 1617 in Paris by St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, the Ladies of Charity embrace the
charism of caring for those living in
poverty. The association in the United
States (LCUSA), established in 1960,
includes more than 6,500 volunteers.
Morgan Hill Ladies provide direct
service to “at risk” youth through
an after- school program; women in
transitional housing; and residents of
assisted living facilities. Membership
is open to women of all faiths. They
meet monthly. For more information,
call Joan Kachel, 408-710-3663.
The next Ladies of Charity National
Assembly will be held in Milwaukee,
WI ,Sept. 11-14, 2014. For more information, go to www.ladiesofcharity.us.
celebrates
in honor and remembrance
of all those who have gone before us,
you are invited to participate in
Día de los Muertos
DAY OF THE DEAD
All Souls Day
Masses
Saturday, October 26, 2013
11am-3pm
Saturday, November 2, 2013
11am
in association with
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley
sponsored by
Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of San Jose
Join us for a cultural
and spiritual celebration!
Calvary Ca tholic Cemetery
hosted at Calvary and Gate of Heaven
Catholic Cemeteries
Calvary Catholic Cemetery,
2650 Madden Avenue, San Jose
Celebrated by Bishop Thomas Daly
2650 Madden Avenue, San Jose
408-258-2940
This event is FREE and open to the public!
Mass at Calvary will be held outdoors and will be multilingual.
Tents and chairs provided. Please allow time to park.
Ritual, Music, and Dance
Face Painting and children’s crafts
A community altar for attendees
to place their photos and memorabilia
Food, art, books, and crafts available for sale
For more information about the event
or to participate as a vendor, artist or performer
please contact [email protected]
or 408-258-2940
www.valleycatholiconline.com
Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)
artwork and altars will be on display.
Here to serve you with
faith, hope, and love.
www.ccdsj.org
Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery
Celebrated by Monsignor Francis Cilia
All Saints Chapel, 22555 Cristo Rey Drive, Los Altos
650-428-3730