The Austin Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) is finalizing plans for our annual convention, planned for June 28-29 at the Hilton Garden Inn-Temple. While our previous conventions were generally held in early Spring, our Board decided delaying to a later date would allow more attendees to be vaccinated prior to the convention. Bishop Joe Vasquez will join convention attendees to celebrate a 4:00p Mass at St. Luke Parish, located very close to the host hotel, and will then attend the Clerical Endowment Fund Banquet to recognize the benefits of the CEF, to present Burses to several worthy recipients, and to then present Certificates to priests celebrating milestone anniversaries of their ordination.
We have some great speakers lined up and would love to have you or a member of your staff attend the convention. An alternative would be to take advantage of presenting your ministry or office as one of our convention Vendors. We can arrange a Vendor table upon which to display materials and you would share information on how your ministry/office interfaces with the parishes within the diocese, or how you work to support the diocese itself. I'm often surprised at the number of Catholics in the diocese who really don't know how the diocesan staff supports our parishes. If you are interested in participating as a Diocesan Vendor, please let me know and I'll notify the Convention Vendor Coordinator, who will contact you with further information and answer any question you may have.
Our Call to Convention will be sent out at the end of April and will include information on Hotel rooms, Registration and CEF Banquet. Whether attending the Convention or participating as a Vendor, you are welcome to register at the hotel utilizing the Austin DCCW block-room rate.
Let's all pray that those suffering the loss or illness of family and friends due to the pandemic, those experiencing the strain of isolation, and those wading through repairs following the extreme weather of February will soon find themselves back to a healthy, repaired world as we move into the Easter season and its promise of renewal.