HISTORY

U. S. Bishops called women to Washington in March of 1920 for support in bringing unity for Catholic Women in the U.S.  Mrs. Arthur (Mary) Mullen was called to aid in this organizing and this she did.  Her first effort in this direction was to establish reading and Study Clubs in parishes.  As women in neighboring parishes were brought together with common goals, the Council of Catholic Women Organization, both Nationally and in this Archdiocese was established, and Mary Mullen was names as our founder.  Deaneries were formed according to the largest city in their region, such as Hartington Deanery, Norfolk Deanery, O’Neill Deanery, etc.

 

In 1960, the deaneries were combined and boundaries changed to only six rural deaneries and one urban deanery.  Their names would be:  Rural Central, rural North Central, Rural Northwest, Rural Northeast, Rural Southwest, Rural Southeast, and Omaha Urban.

 

In 1962, the Mullen Award was instituted in memory of the first President, Mrs. Arthur Mullen.  This award is given out at the annual fall convention of the OACCW, to a woman who through her activities best exemplifies the life of Mrs. Mullen.  The recipient must have actively worked with Council in her community, in her Deanery and through the Archdiocese.  Having shown leadership in her work with civic, educational groups and interfaith groups.

 

In 1964-1965, the Penny and a Prayer Fund was initiated to establish a purse in honor of Archbishop Bergan’s 50th Anniversary, for the purpose of education students for the priesthood at John Vianney Seminary at Elkhorn.  This project is still in action today.

 

In 1969, Fr. Edgar Wortmann was appointed as moderator and spiritual director for the OACCW.  He was named Monsignor in 2005 and served the OACCW until the time of his death in 2007.  Fr.  Jim Kramper was appointed moderator in 2007.

 

In the 1980’s the OACCW, in cooperation with the Archdiocesan Family Life Office, began hosting the annual Marriage Celebrations for couples married for 25, 40, 50+ years.  There are two celebrations, one held in Omaha and the other in Norfolk.

 

IN 1992, the practice of giving stoles to the newly ordained priests from our Archdiocese was started.  This serves to inform our newly ordained priests about our Council, and to give them a lasting reminder of the day that they committed their lives to God and the priesthood.  In 2001, the Council voted to give the seminarians a gift certificate in lieu of the stole.

 

In 1996, the OACCW introduced the scholarship program.  The recipient must be a Catholic senior girl living in the Archdiocese of Omaha.  This scholarship grant has grown to $500.00.

 

The Jubilee year 2000 brought the Omaha Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women to the web.  As we serve to be pilgrims for the women of our Archdiocese we intend to use this as a means to further support, empower and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service.