Celebrating the Patron Saint of CWIB: Pope St. John XXIII
“The Church…wishes to show herself a loving mother of all.” -Pope St. John XXIII, Gaudet Mater Ecclesia
Dear Sisters in Christ,
Eight years ago, in June of 2018, for the first time ever, I audibly heard the voice of a stranger speak to my heart, “Finally! I have been waiting for you!”
I was standing in front of the tomb of Saint Pope John XXIII and my life would never be the same after the moment I stepped away from the spot where I knelt in prayer. For months, I had been discerning about beginning a group I wanted to call “Catholic Women in Business” and this pope who I knew nothing about, fortified my heart. He told me that I was called to ecumenical work within the church and that this group would be the bridge that would bring together the Catholic faith and the secular world.
I traveled home after this powerful encounter and reached out to a team of women who were dedicated to helping me launch CWIB. We first started as a small but mighty group devoted to publishing weekly blog posts and facilitating a Facebook group. Now we are a community of over 10,000 women worldwide.
I wanted to write this short note today to say “thank you” to YOU: Our dear readers; our community that keeps growing and keeps showing up week after week, month after month, year after year to support one another. Because you believe in the words that Pope John XXIII uttered on this day 64 days ago as he opened the Second Vatican Council:
“The Church must not only guard this precious treasure (our faith), as if she were concerned only with antiquity, but must also dedicate herself with an earnest will and without fear to the work which our era demands.” - Gaudet Mater Ecclesia
Sisters, we must be bold in our proclamation of the Gospel. In our church pews, in our schools, in our work, and in our families. We must not tire of allowing God to be born in our work. You have been given specific gifts and talents that must be brought into this world. You are desperately needed in this work in the Lord’s vineyard.
Wherever you are in your faith journey and career today, please know that it is holy and good work. Even if it is hard. Even if you can not yet taste the fruit of your labor. The Lord will bless your efforts to bring him to others. Be assured that we are praying for you!
Yours In Christ,
Elise Crawford Gallagher
Founder & Co-President
Catholic Women in Business