Originally Published by the Belleville Messenger

(Re-posted with permission)

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — The Metro-East Vicariate Council of Catholic Women Spring Day of Prayer held on April 28 at Holy Trinity Parish, hosted by the ladies of the parish CCW drew more than 80 women from across the vicariate.  

The event signaled the rebirth of the MEV CCW after two years of inactivity due to the pandemic. 

The theme of the day was “We Are Called” and included a variety of topics to help the attendee contemplate their role as part of the body of Christ.  Father Sal Gonzalez, OMI spoke on the role of the laity in today’s world and gave practical applications. 

Each of us are a part of the body of Christ with unique talents and gifts, Father Gonzalez said. “We are like puzzle pieces that can help form a team that does great things for the Lord, however, even if only a single piece is missing, a single talent, the puzzle is obviously incomplete and the team cannot achieve the great things God intended. Our challenge is not to find comfortable friends that are just like us, but to find those that excel in different skills, have grown up in different cultures, challenge us to think differently, expand our views, then work together to bring Christ back to our world.  

“Our society needs the strong foundation of our faith to ease their fears and provide hope in their future. We see those suffering from depression, addiction, hatred and cry out to God – why won’t you fix this! Well ladies, He has. He sent us!  

“And He gave us every gift and talent we will need, dividing them up among us. We must link arms and work to overpower Satan’s hold on our world and our society.”

A variety of local ministries distributed information on their ministries. Lunch was a buffet of various cultural foods intended to represent an all-inclusive event/an all-inclusive council. 

Officers elected to the CCW Board were:  Maggie Burns, President (Immaculate Conception, Columbia); Madonna Stapf, President Elect (St. James, Millstadt); Carla Fickett, Secretary (Holy Trinity, Fairview Heights); and June Valentine, Treasurer (SS Peter & Paul, Waterloo).  

Catholic women are invited to join their parish CCW today and answer the call to help spread the gospel with their life. The Fall Day of Prayer and Meeting will be held September 15 at St. Clare of Assisi Church in O’Fallon.