By Mary Lackie

The structure of the Church may change, but Catholic women have work to do here and now, a panelist told members of the Archdiocesan Leadership Conference.

The AACW conference held at Holy Cross Center last week gave the 167 officers and members from 21 parishes an opportunity to study and discuss areas of parish and community involvement. The women participated in five commission workshops: family affairs, community affairs, church communities, international affairs, and organization services.

“The structure of the Church may change, but we are still here, and our work is here now,” said Mrs. Faith McQuaid, family affairs moderator. “We should cooperate with groups in the parish that work for family development.” Specific areas included work with the parish schools of religion, tutorial programs and participation in projects at Emmaus House, St. Joseph’s Village, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Mrs. Polly Callison, co-moderator of the community affairs workshop told members, “The community is the place where we work and live...civic responsibility is an essential part o our work.” The commission focuses on action in areas of open housing, urban and rural problems, Headstart programs, poverty, education and government. To prepare for work in the community, members were urged to study the documents of Vatican II, particularly the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity.

As the sessions progressed, there was continued emphasis on the opportunities for work ‘here and now’ in the parish and community. The church communities workshop outlined areas of scripture, liturgy and ecumenism.

Mrs. Catherine Freeborn, co-moderator, said, “Participation in the liturgy is the common work of the entire Christian community, and we should promote full participation in the liturgy. And, you should consider giving time to the care of the sanctuary, or organizing Bible study groups in your parish.”

“In the liturgy, you share Christ’s love; in your ecumenical work, you share His love and his word with others. Ecumenism is perhaps the most far reaching aspect of the commission,” Mrs. Pat Martin said. She urged the women to participate in ecumenical dialogues, WICS, and to prepare a program for World Day of Prayer, which coincides this year with the Feast of Christ the King.

Mrs. Betty Smith listed facilities in the Atlanta area available for retreats: Ignatius House, days of recollection at the Trappist Monastery, the Monastery of the Visitation, or a day of recollection in the parish.

International affairs moderators stressed the need for additional volunteers to assist the Atlanta Committee for International Visitors and the Atlanta International Student Bureau. Mrs. Carolyn Hochman and Mrs. Mary Lambert asked members to open their homes to students and visitors. “There is no foreign word equivalent to our word, ‘volunteer.’ Many of the visitors cannot understand that we are not paid for our work,” Mrs. Lambert said.

Organization services moderators Mrs. Sheila Mallon and Mrs. Murphy Faust outlined the commission’s role in AACCW programs, its contribution as a line of communication, and its service in planning membership drives and training programs.

Archbishop Thomas Donnellan concelebrated Mass with Father Eusebius Beltran, pastor of Holy Cross, Msgr. Michael J. Manning, spiritual moderator of the AACW, and Father John McDonough.

In his homily, Archbishop Donnellan said, “We should reflect on peace...on that interior harmony of the individual. With God’s grace we can work out our destiny and manifest that love by love of our fellowman...”

“This will include involvement in bringing an end to war, involvement in helping the underprivileged, involvement in the community...but peace always begins with opening our hearts to God’s will...”

The workshops and Mass were followed by a luncheon attended by the members and several priests. Mrs. Dennon, AACW president, reminded the women of the annual AACW meeting to be held Sept. 14.