The Commission for Women of the Worcester Diocese was established in April, 1989 by Bishop Timothy J. Harrington to recognize and encourage the role of women in the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts. Encouragement for our mission continued under Bishop Daniel P. Reilly. Since his installation, Bishop Robert J. McManus has supported the work of the Commission. The following mission statement of the commission explains its goals.
The Commission for Women shall be available to advise the resident Bishop of Worcester in regard to women’s issues. It shall function as a liaison between women in the diocese and the resident bishop, raising and promoting awareness of the evolving role of women in the church and society. The commission shall strive to bond together the women of the diocese through spiritual, educational and social programs.
In its 28 years, the commission has examined many issues affecting women and their relationship with their church. This has been accomplished through study, meetings and conferences.
Topics of study undertaken by the Women’s Commission include:
Concerned with reports of the growing number of women and children among the ranks of the homeless, representatives of various agencies involved with the problem of homelessness were convened by the commission in 1994, 1995 and 1996 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish center. The purpose of these meetings was to update interested members of the Catholic community regarding advances and needs surrounding housing issues.
In addition, commission members studied the report on the Conference on Common Ground, the initiative launched by Cardinal Joseph Bernadin of Chicago. From 1996 to 1998 members researched and wrote a handbook detailing historical instances of women serving the church in the role of deaconess. This study supported the majority opinion of the Canon Law Society of America which asserted that there was no canonical objection to women serving in the Permanent Diaconate.
In 1995, The Commission For Women initiated its annual Administrative Assistants’ Day for diocesan, parish and school secretaries to honor the work of these women in the church. These days featured a speaker, liturgy at which the Bishop presided and a luncheon. The site for these occasions for 14 years was the former Calvary Monastery in Shrewsbury. Since the closing of Calvary this event has been held at St. Anne’s Parish in Shrewsbury and more recently at St. Mary of the Hills Parish in Boylston.
Gatherings for the women of the diocese have included Jubilee Day for Women in 2000 and Unity Breakfasts. A retreat day focusing on the topic of compassion was held at St. Anne’s Parish Hall in Shrewsbury in September, 2012. Sr. Joyce Rupp was the presenter and facilitator of the day.
In 2002 the first women’s conference since the Diocesan Women’s Congresses in the 1950's was sponsored by the Commission For Women. This tradition was continued every other year in November beginning in 2003. Our seventh and last conference was held in 2013. The site of this all-day event was the DCU Center. Our speakers and the opportunity to spend a day with women of shared interests and faith attracted a large number of attendees.
Although our numbers have dwindled we continue to meet monthly –this year reading and discussing essays compiled by Phyllis Zagano, one of twelve commission members appointed by Pope Francis meeting in Rome to research and discuss the feasibility of ordaining women to the permanent diaconate.
We continue to look to the future as we plan our annual October gathering for women. More information will be forthcoming.