Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

The Lincoln Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (LDCCW) recently held its 64th biennial convention at the John XXIII Center in Lincoln. The event, themed “Celebrating with Gratitude, Serving with Joy,” brought together women from across the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln to celebrate their shared commitment to faith and service.

Valerie Able, first vice president and a member of St. Clara Parish in Peru, highlighted the integral role of women in parish life and beyond. "They are the women in the pews, growing in their faith and serving God through their activities on the parish level and reaching beyond their communities by being a part of the LDCCW," she said.

Able further underscored the foundational role of women belonging to Parish Councils of Catholic Women (PCCWs) or altar societies, calling them the “bedrock” of the LDCCW. These faith-filled women play a crucial role in carrying out the mission established by Bishop Kucera in 1932, which aimed to address the need for women to collaborate in performing Corporal and Spiritual works of Mercy.

The convention brought together both first-time attendees and long-standing members like Linda Schaben from St. Germanus Parish in Arapahoe, who has been attending LDCCW conventions for over 60 years. Leaders from other dioceses also attended, highlighting interconnectedness among Catholic women across Nebraska.

Trudy Burenheide from Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Falls City and LDCCW president from 2022-2024 reflected on her term as president: “Getting to know the wonderful women of our diocese who also sought a stronger connection with their faith through service and charity was an eye-opener and a powerful inspiration.”

Financial contributions from parishes play a vital role in supporting LDCCW’s initiatives such as Msgr. Riordan Scholarship which provides support for Catholic education. The LDCCW also dedicates resources to projects like the Bishop’s Project, which for the 2022-2024 term focused on creating the “St. John Paul II Family Prayer Garden.”

The convention featured speakers addressing pressing issues and providing spiritual insights. Paul Yates, director of “I’ve Got a Name,” raised awareness about sex trafficking in Nebraska, urging attendees to take action against this injustice.

Looking ahead, Judy Weston from St. Michael Parish in Hastings, the newly elected LDCCW president for 2024-2026, expressed her commitment to serving the women of the diocese. "We are chosen to glorify God through our service," she said.