Reconnect, Reunite, Reinspire Resources for New Year’s Resolutions

By: Kitty Eisenbeil, Director of Formation

Setting a new year’s resolution or two is a time-tested tradition but have you ever considered setting resolutions for your CWOC or women’s ministry? This year we want to encourage you to FORM yourself – your mind, your heart, and your soul – so you can reconnect, reunite, and reinspire in a more meaningful way this year. 

CWOC Resolution #1: Form Your Mind

Knowledge is power and when you have a deeper understanding of your faith on an intellectual level you hold the power of evangelization at your fingertips. This year, form your mind through new books, podcasts, Bible studies, etc. You can also learn with others, encouraging and supporting the women in your parish to know more fully what we believe as Catholics.  

How can your CWOC group better connect, unite, and inspire women inventively and realistically to form their minds?

Build up a book club or bible study if you don’t already have one. Consider picking some new authors, podcasters, or church leaders that you haven’t heard of, have felt intimidated by, or have been setting aside.

The best way to begin your study is with prayer. Make sure you unite your heart to the endeavors of your mind and invite others to do the same.

Need ideas?

Here are a few of my favorite reads:

• The Threefold Garland, Hans Urs von Balthasar
• Mary in the Bible and in Our Lives, Fr. Wilfrid Stinissenn
• And  You Are Christ’s: The Charism of Virginity and the Celibate Life, Thomas Dubay
• Jesus of Nazareth or the encyclicals of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

And some of my favorite podcasts:

• Godsplaining – Dominican Friars of the Province of St Joseph
• Let Love – Sisters of Life

CWOC Resolution #2: Form Your Heart

How frustrated have you been this year with other people? People you work with, people you see on a daily basis, people who live in your own home? Have you felt disconnected from your sisters in Christ? Irritated with those you are supposed to serve? How can we form our hearts this year to better love others?

First, we must allow ourselves to be loved deeply by Christ. The best examples we can follow on this path are the saints. Choose a saint to follow this year, let him or her show you how Christ formed their heart and showed him or her how to love as He does.

Then go directly to the source. Consider taking on a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  His heart has been wounded for you and is alive in heaven, waiting to receive you. When you draw closer to the Sacred Heart your ability to love will be changed forever.

Take your chapel on a journey this year to deeper love. Study the saints together, do a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, or the Chaste Heart of St Joseph as a group.  

MCCW has some ideas for you on our website. 

CWOC Resolution #3: Form Your Soul

Discernment isn’t just for young men entering seminary or women trying to hear their call to religious life. Discernment is for all people at all times. We are called to discern the will of God as we journey toward heaven, not just once or twice, but every step of the way.  

Form your spirit by taking time this year to discern God’s will for your life in this season.  Ignatian Spirituality has a big emphasis on discernment and is a great place to start. Check out these books by Timothy Gallagher, OMV: The Discernment of Spirits & Discerning the Will of God to learn more.

Make discernment a part of your CWOC this year – utilize the Gifted Formation Module guides for both facilitators and participants as a mini-retreat or study for the women in your chapel to discover their gifts and how to use them best.  

Of course, it is also important to discern whether God is calling you to serve the women in your chapel on a deeper level. Will you hold discernment as part of your CWOC board selection? Do you feel called to serve on the MCCW regional or Worldwide boards? Check out the discernment information provided on the MCCW website here.

CWOC Resolution #4: Form Yourself With Something New

We never grow when we sit in a rut, stagnant because we are afraid of something new.  Forming our minds, hearts and souls involves a challenge to what we know and then seeking, with curiosity, what can make us new.

Try something new:

• Pick a Word of the Year
• Attend FORUM 2022 in Tampa 
• Plan a mini-retreat for your chapel with a new flare: painting icons, making a silent retreat, learning sacred music

Formation in 2022 doesn’t need to be over the top or outstanding, just something that moves your heart in a new direction. Help your CWOC grow in faith, strengthening the community in knowledge and forming the future of the Church.

Share your 2022 CWOC New Year’s Resolutions on MCCW social media!