OACCW convention aims to spread God’s mercy

Recognizing women’s role in spreading God’s mercy will be the focus of the 92nd convention of the Omaha Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (OACCW).

Titled "Divine Mercy, Source of Hope – Let Us Become Women of Mercy," the Sept. 26 event in Delaney Hall at St. Patrick Church in Fremont is open to all women of the archdiocese, said Theresa Pavlik, OACCW president and member of St. Wenceslaus Parish in Verdigre.

"With the pope declaring this Year of Mercy, we’re hoping to find God’s mercy for all of us," and to spread that message of mercy, she said.

The daylong event begins with a rosary at 8 a.m., said Lauren Bopp, conference planner, president of the Omaha Urban Deanery Council and member of St. Peter Parish in Omaha.

Father Mark McKercher, associate pastor of St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Omaha, begins the program with a keynote address titled "Mater Misericordia: The Marian Face of Mercy."

During the morning session, the council also will present the Mullen Award to the OACCW member who best exemplifies the life and service of the council's third president, Mary Mullen. The annual award was established in 1962.

Archbishop George J. Lucas and priests of the archdiocese will celebrate Mass at 11 a.m.

An afternoon session with Tom Venzor, executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference (NCC) will include an update on the organization’s pro-life activities, Bopp said.

"We want to bring the women of the archdiocese together to give thanks to God at Mass, to share their faith with each other and to leave with a feeling of encouragement and inspiration that comes from God’s mercy," she said.