20th AnniversaryGala Luncheon

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Hilton Long BeachLong Beach, California

CWR is a professional organization of personnel responsible for communications within religious congregations of women. Our

mission is to be a network of professional support and education for members who promote understanding of women religious, enhance their image and advance their mission. CWR is also a resource to

organizations serving women religious.

Melissa Regan (director/producer) is a Sundance award-winning filmmaker whose work has appeared on HBO, PBS and Oprah.

Melissa’s documentary film “No Dumb Questions” and related “Ask your own dumb question, tell your own story” campaign are changing

hearts, minds, and policies in schools, colleges, and communities around the world. Client projects include an award-winning short documentary series for The Coca-Cola Company about water and sanitation in Africa. Melissa has a master’s degree in Mechanical

Engineering from Stanford University. She lives in Oakland, California.

About Our Speaker

20th Anniversary Gala Luncheon

Program

Prayer

Luncheon: Flavors of the Mediterranean Buffet

Guest Speaker: Melissa Regan, Producer/Director, “Nuns on the Bus: The Movie”

Member Recognition

20 Year PinLorraine Wesolowski, OSF

15 Year PinLinda Macdonald

10 Year PinTeri Bockstahler

Julie Gilberto-BradySuzanne Petrouski, LCM

Grace Skalski

5 Year PinSandy Goetzinger-Comer

Myra JoinesBeth Kennedy

Mary Francis Lewandowski, CSSFLucy SanchezJean Schildz

Paula SchultzAnne Stevenson, SNDdeN

Dale ThomasConnie Tomyl, CSSF

Susan WhelanKatie Zeller

Donor Recognition

Outgoing Board MembersDebbi Della Porta and Barbara Mullen, CSJ

20th Anniversary Donors

Communicators for Women Religious (CWR) would like to thank the following for their generous donations

on the occasion of our 20th anniversary:

Benedictine Sisters, Fort Smith ARBenedictine Sisters of ErieBernardine Franciscan Sisters, Reading PA

Caldwell Dominicans, Caldwell NJCongregation of the Humility of Mary, Davenport IA

Daughters of Charity of St. Louise, St. Louis MODominican Sisters’ ConferenceDominican Sisters of San Rafael, San Rafael CA

Felician Sisters of North AmericaFranciscan Sisters of Allegany, St. Bonaventure NYFranciscan Sisters of Mary, Bridgeton MOFranciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Louis MO

Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, Yardley PA

Holy Cross Sisters, Merrill WIHoly Union Sisters, Milton MA

Leadership Conference of Women ReligiousLittle Company of Mary Sisters, Evergreen Park IL

Medical Mission Sisters, Philadelphia PA

Poor Handmaids of Jesus ChristPresentation Sisters, Aberdeen SD

Racine Dominicans, Racine WI

School Sisters of Notre DameSchool Sisters of Notre Dame Atlantic-Midwest ProvinceSisters of Charity Ministry FoundationSisters of Charity of Cincinnati

Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth KSSisters of Charity of Nazareth, Nazareth KYSisters of Charity of New York, Bronx NYSisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station NJSisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dubuque IASisters of Charity, Dublin, IrelandSisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic CommunitySisters of Mercy New York, Pennsylvania, Pacific WestSisters of Notre Dame de NamurSisters of Providence, Holyoke MASisters of Providence, Mother Joseph Province, Renton WASisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester NYSisters of St. Anne, Marlborough MASisters of St. Casimir, Chicago ILSisters of St. Francis Dubuque IASisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, Aston PASisters of St. Francis of the Neumann CommunitiesSisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God, Pittsburgh PASisters of St. Francis, Rochester MNSisters of St. Joseph of Baden PASisters of St. Joseph of Boston, Brighton MASisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (NY, CA, MO, MN, HI, Peru)Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery, West Hartford CTSisters of St. Joseph of Concordia KSSisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Erie PASisters of St. Joseph of Peace, Englewood Cliffs NJSisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia, Philadelphia PASisters of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame INSisters of the Humility of Mary, Villa Maria PASisters of the Most Precious Blood, O’Fallon MOSisters of the Precious Blood, Dayton OHSisters of the Presentation of the BVM, Dubuque, IowaSisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Immaculata PASisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe MISociety of the Holy Child Jesus, Rosemont PASociety of the Sacred Heart, St. Louis MOSparkill Dominicans, Sparkill NY

Ursuline Sisters of the Central Province, St. Louis MOUrsuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, Maple Mount KY

Congratulations on your 20th anniversary of communicating the mission and telling the stories of sisters in the United States. —Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

Congratulations to the Communicators for Women Religious upon your 20th anniversary. We appreciate all you do to promote the image of women religious throughout the country. Thank you for a job well done! —Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Louis, Missouri

Thanks for all you do to keep us in the loop — congratulations! —Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, O’Fallon, Missouri

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious expresses deep gratitude for CWR’s 20-year work to support and further the mission of Catholic sisters. —LCWR

Congratulations on 20 years of service, promoting understanding of women religious, enhancing their image and advancing their mission. —Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, Michigan

Congratulations and special thanks for Sister Lorraine Wesolowski, OSF, and all the other founding members of this wonderful organization. —Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, Syracuse, New York

Congratulations and much gratitude for the wonderful work you do. —Racine Dominicans, Racine, Wisconsin

Congratulations on your 20th anniversary as you continue to advance our mission, tell our stories, and share our vision for the future in a clear, timely, and spirit-inspired manner. —Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, Reading, Pennsylvania

Congratulations on your 20th anniversary! —Sisters of St. Joseph, Concordia, Kansas

Congratulations on this 20th anniversary celebration. Thank you for your great work in communicating the good news of women religious to our world today. —Sisters of St. Joseph, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Congratulations to the Communicators for Women Religious on your 20th anniversary! —Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

“Thank you for your great work in communicating the good news of women religious to our world today.”

Thank you for all you do to advance the mission of Catholic sisters. Congratulations on your 20th anniversary. —Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Villa Maria, Pennsylvania

Congratulations, CWR, on your 20th anniversary! Thank you for advancing our mission through your hard work and support. —Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell, New Jersey

Congratulations to CWR for 20 years supporting and enhancing successful communication efforts for women religious. —Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester, New York

Congratulations, CWR, on your 20th anniversary. God’s blessings! —Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary, Sparkill, New York

Sincerest congratulations to our communicators and the supportive networking connections among you that promote a positive image of our identity and mission as women religious. We are so very proud of all of you. Thank you! —Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, Brighton, Massachusetts

Congratulations on 20 years of excellent service to women religious! —Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, Donaldson, Indiana

Congratulations for 20 faithful years of promoting understanding of and enhancing the mission and image of women religious! —Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis, Missouri

In honor of Barbara Hecht, director of communications extraordinaire. Congratulations on 20 years of service advancing the mission of women religious. —The Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, Pennsylvania

Congratulations on 20 years of service to the congregations of women religious. —Sisters of St. Francis, Rochester, Minnesota

Congratulations and thanks! —Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, Maple Mount, Kentucky

Thank you CWR on 20 years of service on behalf of women religious. We are most grateful. —Sisters of Mercy (New York, Pennsylvania, Pacific West), Buffalo, New York

Congratulations and thank you for the great service that CWR gives to communities of women religious. We rely on your professional expertise in communicating in the years ahead. Special thanks to Jane Buse and Sister Beth Kress. —Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dubuque, Iowa

Congratulations on your 20th anniversary. Thank you for helping tell our story. —Presentation Sisters, Aberdeen, South Dakota

We appreciate the tremendous efforts of all who serve in the ministry of communication to support the mission of women religious. Congratulations on the 20th anniversary of your professional organization, and may God continue to bless all that you do! —Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, San Rafael, California

Congratulations on your 20th anniversary! Thank you for your continuous service on behalf of women religious and those we serve. Peace. —Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Our congratulations and blessings to CWR on your 20th anniversary. —Sisters of Charity of New York, Bronx, New York

Please know that your wonderful work is essential to our mission. Many blessings and deep gratitude. —Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, New York

Congratulations, communicators, on this milestone anniversary! Thank you for your professionalism, generous sharing and commitment to promoting women religious. —Society of the Sacred Heart, St. Louis, Missouri

Congratulations and thanks for your dedication and commitment to promoting a greater understanding of women religious. You have been a source of inspiration, challenge and support through these changing times.

—Medical Mission Sisters, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Congratulations to Communicators for Women Religious (CWR) on celebrating 20 years of inspiring and encouraging communicators to think creatively and work collaboratively to advance the mission of Catholic sisters! —Sisters of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Community, Merion Station, Pennsylvania

“Congratulations on 20 years of stellar communication service and growth. We’ve been with you since the beginning, and applaud your creativity and commitment in telling the REAL stories of sisters in our ever-expanding communications universe. Because of you, the light on mission shines brightly.”

CWR: Enhancing the image and advancing the mission of women religious for 20 years! Congratulations! Thank you for your support of us and all Catholic sisters. —Sisters of St. Casimir, Chicago, Illinois

Congratulations, and thank you for all that you do to promote effective communication for us. —Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Immaculata, Pennsylvania

Congratulations on 20 great years! We appreciate all you do for us. —The Daughters of Charity, Province of St. Louise, St. Louis, Missouri

Congratulations on 20 years of helping to promote understanding and advancement of the mission of women religious! —Felician Sisters of North America

Congratulations on 20 years of collaborative and creative service to our member congregations. —Holy Union Sisters, Milton, Massachusetts

Congratulations on 20 years of stellar communication service and growth. We’ve been with you since the beginning, and applaud your creativity and commitment in telling the REAL stories of sisters in our ever-expanding communications universe. Because of you, the light on mission shines brightly. —Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dubuque, Iowa

On behalf of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, thank you for all the work you have done throughout the years! We are grateful for your presence to women religious! Blessings in the years ahead. —Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Nazareth, Kentucky

On behalf of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in the United States, we send our congratulations to your organization for 20 years of providing quality communication on behalf of women religious. Your “network of professional education and support” has had far-reaching benefits. —Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur

Congratulations to CWR on 20 years of fruitful and rewarding collaboration in advancing the mission of women religious. —Ursuline Sisters of the Central Province, St. Louis, Missouri

You’ve done wonderful work keeping religious life in the public arena in a positive way! Thank you! —Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, Yardley, Pennsylvania

CWR Conferences: 1995 to Present

1995 September 16-18 Adrian, Michigan Enhancing Our Image—Advancing Our Mission1996 October 9-11 Beech Grove, Indiana Challenging Myths—Focusing the Future1997 September 14-16 Sinsinawa, Wisconsin The Web of Good News: Communicating Women Religious in the New Millennium1998 October 25-27 Mundelein, Illinois1999 October 3-5 Convent Station, New Jersey Start Spreadin’ the News: Effective Ways of Collaborating with the Media2000 September 24-26 Bloomington, Minnesota Sun… Flowering Forth2001 November 1-4 Braintree, Massachusetts — 2001: A Media Odyssey 2002 September 29–October 1 St. Louis, Missouri Gateway to Collaboration 2003 October 9–12 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The Point: Where Mission, Ministry and Message Meet2004 September 23–26 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Gather to Learn – Gather to Celebrate 2005 September 18–21 Chicago, Illinois — It Takes a Community 2006 September 28–October 1, San Antonio, Texas Deepen the Heart in Texas 2007 September 27–30, Rapid City, South Dakota Mining the Generations: There’s Gold in the Wisdom2008 September 16–19, Cincinnati, Ohio — Creativity Flows2009 October 6–9, San Francisco, California — Building Bridges2010 September 21–24, Denver, Colorado — Moving Mountains2011 September 27–30, New Orleans, Louisiana Communications… and All That Jazz2012 October 2–6, Coral Gables, Florida CSI Miami: Communicating Sisters’ Identities2013 October 1–4, Baltimore, Maryland Harbor Lights: Illuminating the Missions and Ministries of Women Religious2014 September 30–October 3, Long Beach, California Lights! Camera! Mission! Advancing Mission Through Storytelling and Visual Media

2014 CWR Board of Directors

Julie Gilberto Brady, Co-ChairEileen Dickerson, Co-Chair

Barbara Mullen, CSJ, TreasurerDebbi Della Porta

Paulette Gardner, SSAStephanie Hall Cabelof

Jennifer KaminskiBeth Kress, PBVMStephanie Manseau

Paula Staisiunas SchultzAngela Szczawinska, CSFN

Annmarie Sanders, IHM (LCWR Liaison)Carol Schuck Scheiber (NRVC Liaison)

Susan Oxley, CWR Coordinator

Communicators for Women Religious (formerly the National Communicators Network for Women Religious) began with a meeting of three communicators in April 1993 in Adrian, Michigan: Sister Laura Goedken, OP; Ann Oestreich, and Sister Lorraine Wesolowski, OSF.

In November 1994, the name of the group (NCNWR) was adopted, and charter members were declared: Sister Rose Lima Frerick, OSF (Oldenburg, Indiana); Sister Laura Goedken, OP (Sinsinawa, Wisconsin); Sister Mary Luke Jones, OSB (Beech Grove, Indiana); Sister Patricia Knopp, SNDN (National Religious Vocation Council, Chicago, Illinois); Sister Jane Michele McClure, OSB (Ferdinand, Indiana); Sister Dawn Tomaszewski, SP (St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana); Sister Therese Vaulet, OSF (Millvale, Pennsylvania); Barbara Wade (Sisters of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Indiana); and Sister Lorraine Wesolowski, OSF (Adrian Dominican Sisters, Adrian, Michigan).

In September 1995, NCNWR hosted its first conference in Adrian, Michigan, with 79 registered participants.

In 2013, the organization voted to change its name to Communicators for Women Religious (CWR). Today, CWR has more than 180 members representing 140 congregations of women religious in the United States, Canada, Ireland, and Australia.

How it all began…