history

History of the Gaylord DCCW

Our history begins with the history of the National Council of Catholic Women which was founded in March of 1920 under the auspices of the U.S. Catholic bishops. During World War I, the bishops witnessed the important work done by the Catholic women's organizations. The bishops hoped to strengthen their effect by uniting these groups, coordinating their efforts and giving national scope to their work and influence.

The goals of the council were: to give Catholic women a common voice and an instrument for united action; to ensure proper Catholic representation in national committees and movements; and to stimulate the work of existing Catholic organizations to greater service in meeting the needs of the times.

The Gaylord DCCW was formed in 1971 from the northern part of the Grand Rapids and Saginaw Diocese.

The United States is divided into three regional provinces. Michigan is in the Detroit Province of Region I. The Detroit Province comprises the dioceses of Detroit, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette and Saginaw.

The Gaylord Diocese is made up of six diocesan regions: East Central, North, Southeast, Southwest, West Central, and Central. All of the parishes in the Gaylord diocese belong to one of these diocesan regions. (At this time, not all regions are organized.) Each region and parish council of Catholic women operate under their own bylaws.

Each year the Gaylord DCCW sponsors a fall workshop and a May convention for all of Catholic women. Every three years the Detroit Province has a convention. At the National level, a convention and an assembly are held on alternating years. The conventions are open to all Catholic women.

The Gaylord DCCW board meets four times a year-June, September, January and March. At this time, voting membership is restricted to a representative from each parish council of Catholic women who are affiliated and whose dues are paid. Each region assesses its own dues to the parishes, but welcomes all women to the meetings which occur four times a year.

The Catholic women of the diocese may be affiliated with the NCCW in several ways. Individual memberships are available which include voting rights at the convention and a subscription to the Catholic Woman magazine. Parish councils of Catholic women may be affiliated in several ways too, either through dues to NCCW or they may be affiliated at just the regional level through dues. Each diocese pays dues to the NCCW and to the Province. The Gaylord DCCW is funded through CSA and dues from affiliated parishes and regions.

Past Presidents attending May Convention 2008