NCCW will hold annual convention, Sept. 25-28 in Florida

The National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) will convene its 2013 annual convention Sept. 25-28, at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The theme of the convention is “The Voice of Catholic Women.”

“Our united voice in defense of religious liberty and on behalf of the poor, which allows us to exercise our faith both in the public square and in service to the most vulnerable, is as important today as it was in 1920 when NCCW was founded,” NCCW president Judy Powers from the Diocese of Palm Beach said. “We welcome all women of faith to join us in Ft. Lauderdale to discover the ways that we can serve the least among us. NCCW members have always acted in charity and justice. Now is the time for all Catholic women to unite their voices as well as their actions to promote justice in our laws and regulations.”

The convention will include general session speakers, breakout sessions, liturgies, prayer, penance, and adoration, exhibits, informal gatherings and networking, the annual business meeting, and a closing banquet. Immediately following the NCCW convention, the North American Region Meeting of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations will convene Sept. 29-30.

Dr. Edward Sri will give the keynote address at the opening general session on September 26, “Walking with Mary: A Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross.” Sri, a nationally known speaker, appears regularly on EWTN and is a co-founder of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. He currently serves as Vice President of Mission and Outreach and professor of Theology and Scripture at the Augustine Institute Master’s program in Denver, Colorado. Sri holds a doctorate from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He, his wife Elizabeth, and their six children live in Littleton, Colorado.

The convention sessions are being developed to inspire and educate participants about key Catholic social justice issues and provide models for projects that are within the scope of local Catholic women’s groups, Catholic parish communities, and individuals. The convention in Ft. Lauderdale, will allow attendees to tap the expertise and commitment of social justice advocates, theologians, pastoral ministers, and other Catholic thought leaders as well as share their own successes and experience.

All Catholic women interested in spiritual enrichment, leadership development, and service to the Church and society are invited to register and attend the convention. Full registration information is available at www.nccw.org.

Convention sponsors currently include Catholic Relief Services, Cross Catholic Outreach, Catholic TV, Oregon Catholic Press, Ave Maria Press, Catholic Match, Image Books and GIA Publications.

The National Council of Catholic Women represents 4,000 affiliated Catholic women’s organizations and individual members nationwide.