NEWS
RELEASE
12 August 2004
On
Saturday, 14 August, the Catholic Women Today project will host a multi-faceted
Woman’s Day celebration in Worcester in the Western Cape, in commemoration of
10 years of Democracy, focusing on the unity of Catholic women from diverse
cultures and the vital role they fulfill in our society.
The celebration, which starts at 09h45 at Church Square in Worcester,
ties in with National Women’s Day, which provides an opportunity for Catholic
women to celebrate and acknowledge their role in society and in particular their
church community. This is a first for the Western Deanery, Diocese of Oudtshoorn, and
will see Xhosa, Sotho and Afrikaans women linking hands with their counterparts
from German, Italian and English heritage in a joyous celebration of shared
faith and womanhood.
The
project aims to empower the women in the Western Deanery, namely Worcester,
Robertson, Ceres, De Doorns, Montagu, Bonnievale, Swellendam and Wolseley.
The project further aims to unite a multi-cultural Catholic community, to
celebrate 10 years of Democracy and National Women’s Day; the promulgation of a
new Framework of Action for the Western Deanery and spiritual enrichment of
women.
The highlight of the
celebrations will be a procession, starting in Church Square, Worcester and
winding down into High street which will see about 600 women participating in
this mass celebration of the unity of Catholic women.
Other events that form part of the celebrations are the Eucharistic
celebration, a Blessing of women by the Bishop of Oudtshoorn and a presentation
of the Divine Mercy.
Says
Dean of the Western Deanery, Father van Tomme “The focus of this event is on
celebrating our faith that has carried Catholic women through modern day living;
a renewed acknowledgement of the role of Mother Mary in our daily lives and an
awareness of the Divine Mercy. Furthermore,
the project allows for Catholic women to participate in a mass celebration that
acknowledges our diversity and confirms out unity in the faith, within a modern
day context. The spiritual devotion
allows women to pray for their community and country.”
Father
van Tomme says that this project is working towards strengthening the Western
Deanery by reaching out to 1 000 Catholic women through an initiative that will
encourage prayer life and create a revival of faith. The emphasis is also on
celebrating from a spiritual perspective against a background of African
Renaissance; to facilitate major participation of women during the celebration,
namely the Eucharistic Ministry, Bible Ministry, Youth Ministry etc; to ensure
that women are motivated to continue their journey in modern day society, in
touch with the realities of the time, focussed and with a clear understanding.
The
Catholic Women Today project is aimed at celebrating Woman’s Day and would
like to see this event working towards encouraging the faithful among their
numbers to continue with their good works in their respective communities and to
raise awareness regarding the role of Catholic women in family life and society,
while, at the same time, strengthening their spiritual life.
Please
find the programme below.
ENDS
Issued
by
Rosemary Hare Public Relations cc
P O Box 12521
MILL STREET
8010
On
behalf of
Catholic Women Today Celebration
Western Deanery
St Maria Goretti
169 Parker Street
WORCESTER
6850
For
further information please contact Colleen Scharnick on 082 5550771
Alternatively contact Father Van Tomme on 023 347416
All
news releases produced by Rosemary Hare Public Relations are available on the
website www.rosehare.co.za
PROGRAMME:
CATHOLIC WOMEN TODAY
VENUE: MARANATHA CHRISTIAN CENTRE, WORCESTER
1. 09:45 – 11:15
A Procession from Church Square, Worcester to
the Maranatha Christian Centre in High Street.
2.
11:20 - 11:25 Welcome &
Introduction: The Dean of Western
Deanery: Father
van Tomme
(Parish Priest: Vredenburg
4. 12:00 – 13:00 The Eucharistic Celebration: Main Celebrant-
Bishop Adams (Bishop of
Oudtshoorn)
·
After the Homily:
Blessing of Divine Mercy Prayer Cards, Images & Rosaries;
·
Blessing of women;
·
Prayer of the Divine Mercy:
Jesus I Trust in You
5.
Conclusion of Eucharistic
Celebration
7.
13:45 – 14:00 Spiritual
Dancing
8. 14:00
– 14:30 Sharing of
Experiences
9.
14:30 – 14:35 The
Church Today: Catholic Welfare Buro
10. 14:35- 14:55
Keynote Address: A message
from the South
African Bishop’s Conference: (Gender
Desk)
11. 14:55 – 15:00
Way Forward: A new Framework of Action for the
Western Deanery: Father van
Tomme
12. 15:00 Closure and Final Blessing: Bishop Adams