Catholic Women Association

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC WOMEN ASSOCIATION (CWA)

Catholic Women Association (C.W.A) is a Catholic lay movement who promise to be women of prayer just like their patron St. Monica, the mother of St Augustine. Their main goal is to enhance the spiritual growth of catholic women and enable them to participate more effectively in the evangelization. In addition, to help Catholic women participate in the general development of their church and community. Any female adult of 18 years and above is eligible to be a member of CWA after undergoing formation classes for a period of 6 months. The group Motto is ‘Strong in Faith”.

Brief history of St. Monica – CWA Patron

  1. St. Monica was raised in a Catholic family in the small town of Tagaste in modern day Algeria. Monica’s parents gave her in marriage to Patricius who was a Roman pagan, known for his drinking and violent rages, of which Monica was often the victim. Patricius criticized his wife because of her charity and piety, but always respected her.
  2. Her prayers and example resulted in the conversion of her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity. Her husband died in 371, one year after his baptism.
  3. After her husband’s premature death, she dedicated her life to raising her three children as a single mother. Her greatest desire was for her children to follow Christ. Her son Augustine caused her much grief, and as a young adult he remained uninterested in Christianity. But St. Monica never stopped praying for his eternal soul, in spite of the circumstances and after many years of prayer, Saint Monica finally saw her son give his life to the service of God.
  4. Augustine declared that his mother’s resilience and dedication to prayer is what led him to become the man of God he was meant to be. His mother was the source of his Christianity.” Augustine is recognized as a saint in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. He is also a preeminent Doctor of the Church and the patron of the Augustinians. His memorial is celebrated on 28 August, the day of his death, and the day after his mother’s feast day. St. Augustine is the patron saint of brewers, printers, theologians, and a number of cities and dioceses.
  5. St. Monica passed away in A.D. 387, shortly after St. Augustine was baptized. Her legacy serves as a reminder for all Christians to never stop praying for those who do not yet know Christ.
MODERATOR

Evelyne Olela

St John the Baptist Katua CWA

The main purpose of St John the Baptist Katua CWA is uplifting members’ spirituality. This can only be achieved if there is commitment, teamwork, humility, respect and accountability. CWA supports the Church and Community through:

  • Spiritual growth;
  • Mental and Physical Well-being of its members and;
  • Financial support where necessary.

St. John the Baptist Church CWA started immediately after the start of the outstation in the year 2000. The CWA movement was spearheaded and chaired by Juliana Wachira (Mama Lucy) with membership of 10 members. With the growth and development of St. John the Baptist surrounding, the church community has immensely grown. Currently, the group has 150 members while more than 20 women are undergoing formation classes. CWA meetings are normally held every 2nd Sunday of the month after the 2nd masss. The following is the leadership since the year 2000;

The current Office was Commissioned on 14th May, 2023 and has served enthusiastically for a period of 1 and ……. Months. All the five (5) leaders are active and participate fully in the group activities.

ACHIEVEMENTS 

The following are some of the milestones made:

Spiritual growth 

  • CWA masses are held at the beginning of the year and before the year’s end.
  • Managed to recruit and increase membership to 150 members.
  • 45 members of CWA solemnized their marriage in the church.
  • CWA has recruited several members both in the Jumuiya and in the Choir.
  • Attended several seminars organized at the Archdioceses, Parish and outstation level.
  • The group has recruited 30 more Women who are undergoing formation classes to be commissioned soon.

Physical/Mental Well-being and Team building

  • The group has always encouraged members to participate in sports as a way of maintain physical and mental well-being. This has always been done at the outstation and parish level. However, this year, the deanery organized sport day for CWA that was held at Holy Family Utawala.
  • Organized and held seminars on Mental health of its members.

Financial/Moral/Welfare Support

  • The group has always given its best in form of financial support to the Church.
  • As a way of boosting the CWA kitty, the group has a tent project. These tents are given out at a fee to its members and the surrounding community. It intends buy more tents and chairs from the proceeds generated from hiring tents.
  • The group has a Sub-Committee drawn from Jumuiyas representative to handle Tent Project.
  • As a way of cost reduction measures, the group has innovatively tilled a section along the fence for flowers.
  • The group has an active Constitution in place that guides the group while reducing conflict in case of need.
  • The group has actively participated in support of members during sickness and bereavement.

CWA CURRENT YEAR’S ACTIVITIES

The group has held several activities at deanery, parish and outstation level as follows; 

 ➢ Attended deanery meeting at Holy Family at Utawala on 27th April 2024
➢ Attended National prayer day in Subukia on 3rd February, 2024
➢ Held opening mass at the Parish level on 25th February, 2024
➢ Joined International Women’s Day by visiting Missionary of the poor on 9th March, 2024
➢ On 23rd March 2024, attended annunciation day at Msongari and many others as per the
attached calendar. 

In addition, at outstation level, held the following;
➢ Held two sports day which were accompanied by Holy mass and Seminar on well-being.
➢ Intends to host CWA end year mass, sports day and end year Seminar.
➢ Supported and celebrated 2 weddings of our members this year while the third wedding will be celebrated on 23rd November, 2024.

CHALLENGES

  • Lack of an Office and Storage space for CWA items. This kills the zeal to acquire critical items that are of great use while animating mass or during the other Church activities.
  • Poor support especially incidences of bereavement. CMA are always absent and mama hatembei peke yake.
  • Overwhelming financial obligations that sometimes override each other and must be attended to.
  • Sometimes poor attendance during the meetings.

RECOMMENDATION/WAY FORWARD

The Office request for the Executive and the Development Committee for the following:

  • CWA the Church through the Development Committee to redesignate and construct a small Office for CWA. Meanwhile, the Executive and the Development Committee can design and place beautiful shelves in one of the corners at the Catechist’s Office where CWA can put their valuables such as, C.W.A Uteo’s, Cups and Plates, lessos, etc. This can be used later in the same office.
  • Request for Executive support in beautifying the Church compound through planting of flowers to be used during mass animation. This is partially done by CWA initiative on the upper side of the Church near the old latrines.