Welcome to the Joliet Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (JDCCW)
CCW: Prayer to Our Lady of Good Council
Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel
God of heavenly wisdom, who has given us Mary, Mother of Jesus, to be our guide and counselor. Grant that we may always seek her motherly help in this life and so enjoy her blessed presence in the life to come. O Mother of Good Counsel, Patroness of the National Council of Catholic Women, intercede for us that we may be wise, courageous, and loving leaders of the church. Help us, dear Mother, to know the mind of Jesus, your Son. May the holy spirit fill us with reverence for God’s creation and compassion for all God’s children. May our labors of love on earth enhance the reign of God. And may God’s gifts of faith and living hope prepare us for the fullness of the world to come. Amen.
CCW: Joliet Diocese Council Of Catholic Women (JDCCW) [Accordion]
JDCCW Mission
The National Council of Catholic Women acts through its members to support, empower, and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership, and service. NCCW programs respond with Gospel values to the needs of the Church and society in the modern world.
History of the JDCCW
The Joliet Diocesan Council of Catholic Women was established in 1949 by the Most Reverend Martin D. McNamara, the first bishop of the Diocese of Joliet.
The National Council of Catholic Women acts through its members to support, empower, and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership, and service. NCCW programs respond with Gospel values to the needs of the Church and society in the modern world.
Each year JDCCW awards the Bishop Blanchette Scholarship to several students in financial need to attend a Catholic high school in the Joliet Diocese. The Bishop Blanchette Scholarship was established in 1982 as a living memorial to the late Bishop Romeo Blanchette. Over 200 scholarships have been awarded.
Each parish Council of Catholic Women affiliate of the Joliet Diocese is invited to nominate one student. The scholarship is based on financial need, scholarship achievement, and statements from the student, parent, pastor and principal.
In JANUARY all active parish CCW presidents receive a mailing which tells about the scholarship and how to submit a candidate. Only one high school student can be sponsored by a CCW parish per year.
In APRIL the applications are reviewed by the committee, which consists of JDCCW past presidents. The number and momentary amount of the scholarships are determined by the amount of funds in the account on March 1. Students are notified at this time.
In MAY, the scholarships are conferred at a Mass and celebration held at the Blanchette Catholic Center. If you have any questions, contact your current BBSF Advisors:
Friends of the Bishop Blanchette Scholarship Fund is a subcommittee of the Bishop Blanchette Scholarship Fund. The committee’s purpose is to promote individual and parish contributions and fundraising activities for the Scholarship Fund. Each active member of the fundraising subcommittee makes an annual contribution of no less than $10. Attendance at the annual “Get Together” (usually a luncheon) is encouraged at an additional cost. This event is planned and supported by past JDCCW diocesan presidents. All active members receive notification of the event. A general invitation is also extended to the current diocesan and deanery presidents.
It is the tradition, each spring of the year, to recognize and celebrate Catholic women who have contributed both time and talent to their parish Council of Catholic Women. Each parish in the Diocese of Joliet is invited to select one member from its Council of Catholic Women who has given of herself with outstanding service to her parish, council and community.
The selected CCW Honoree is awarded a certificate of appreciation at the annual Woman of the Year Mass.
Parish CCW presidents receive information by mail at the beginning of FEBRUARY.
Deadline dates for submitting the names of the honorees are found in the FEBRUARY mailing.
The Woman of the Year Mass occurs in APRIL.
Family and CCW parish members are invited to support the Honoree at the Woman of the Year Mass.
If you have questions, contact the following current WOY Advisors:
