One for the History Books

By: Eleanor Gentilini, Historian

As we look forward to gathering with our sisters in Christ at our MCCW Worldwide Forum in Tampa next month, we would like to take a look back at past Forums, conferences, and retreats. From the very beginnings of MCCW in Europe in the mid-fifties, women realized the value of coming together with women from other chapels to share their faith, learn from a variety of speakers, and exchange ideas. For many years, MCCW-Europe held a conference each October at the Armed Forces Recreation Center in Berchtesgaden, Germany. High on a mountain near the Austrian border, close to Salzburg, the General Walker Hotel was the site of these gatherings which grew to over 500 women and as many as 75 priests. The conference began on Sunday afternoon and continued through Saturday morning – twice as long as any in recent decades. Women traveled from 13 regions including Italy, Spain, Belgium, England, Turkey, Cyprus, and the Azores, some spending two days in transit. That is dedication.

As a result of this experience, women returning to the States from Europe established MCCW-USA in 1970 in the Atlanta area. Within a few years, the organization expanded across the nation, and conferences were held every two years in the fall in various parts of the country. Due to the expansive area and cost of travel, it was more difficult to bring large numbers of women together, but in recent years the numbers have continued to grow. In the years between national conferences, the four regions held more locally-focused conferences which later became retreats. These, too, have grown larger over time.

In 2005, MCCW-Europe and MCCW-USA merged to become MCCW Worldwide, and the following year the first joint conference was held in Atlanta where MCCW-USA had begun. That same year was the 50th anniversary of MCCW-Europe, which then became a region of the worldwide organization. We have since established two more regions – Pacific and Asia – increasing once again the opportunity for more women to gather for retreats. Several years ago, our Worldwide conference was moved to April and subsequently became known as Forum.

As with everything during the last two years, we have had to cancel, postpone, or totally change the format of our gatherings. Forum 2020 was originally planned for San Antonio, postponed until fall, then finally held via Zoom – speakers, devotions, training, and Mass. Our first online silent auction turned out to be quite successful and will be continued. In the spring of 2021, regions held their retreats via Zoom as well – all on the same weekend, but each with its own program. Needless to say, it is with great excitement that we anticipate gathering in person at Forum 2022 in Tampa, and we hope you are planning to join us. There is an old saying in MCCW, that if you have never been to Forum, there are no words to describe the experience, and if you have been, no words are necessary.