Based on letter by John Paul II, Small group sessions will remind women of their God-give dignity, gifts

By Jennifer Sokol

Kate Sweeney of the Archdiocese of Denver will lead two facilitator training sessions introducing a new study program for women in the Archdiocese of Seattle.

The presentations on the program known as ENDOW, which stands for Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women, will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Bothell on June 22 and at Pope John Paul II High School in Lacey on June 23.

The program curriculum is based on Blessed John Paul II’s apostolic letter “Mulieris Dignitatem” (“On the Dignity of Women”).

“Our mission is to remind women about their God-given dignity and the particular gifts of women that are needed in order to respond to the needs of our culture today,” Sweeney said in a recent interview with The Progress.

ENDOW members will meet in small study groups in parishes, homes and schools. Individual study groups are designed for either adults or teenagers, and are usually completed within eight to 12 sessions over a six-month period.

The core concept of ENDOW is “Feminine Genius” as described by John Paul II.

“By Feminine Genius we mean the woman’s unique capacity for the other. We see that physically in that women have a womb within us that creates a literal space for others,” Sweeney said. “And that speaks to the much greater reality of our feminine humanity, which allows for our generosity, our receptivity, our compassion, our empathy and our spirit of maternity.”

‘So much joy’“I tell women, ‘I’m not going to tell you anything new, because this truth of the Feminine Genius is already written on your hearts. We’re just here to remind you of who you are, and to stir up that truth.’”

Although John Paul II first wrote about the Feminine Genius in 1995, most women have never heard of it, Sweeney said.

“So many women tell me, ‘I didn’t know what the church taught. I always thought it was men are the priests and men are the hierarchy and women don’t have a place in the church.’ So when we talk about the Blessed Mother and look at the beautiful dignity of women, and what the church teaches that women are, it’s so freeing and there’s so much joy. Not the negative sound bites heard in the media.”

Learning about the dignity of women is especially important for teenage girls, Sweeney said.

“The number one thing we hear from them is ‘We’ve never heard this before.’”

She said after one recent youth session, the girls lined up for an hour and a half to talk to her, asking questions and thanking her for teaching them about their true value.“For the first time,” said Sweeney, “they realized they didn’t have to be skinny enough, popular enough, smart enough or athletic enough to be of value.”

‘Truth shines through’The Seattle Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women was instrumental in bringing ENDOW to the archdiocese.

Kathleen Tansey, a parishioner at St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Renton and president of the Seattle ACCW, said the group wants to network with other women’s groups to attract new members.

“We’re trying to do new things with ENDOW and other new programs which especially speak to young women.” Like the ACCW, Tansey said, ENDOW offers support and education for Catholic women.

ENDOW is active in 102 dioceses in the United States and Canada.

The program draws not only on papal teachings, but the saints as well, including Thomas Aquinas, Catherine of Sienna and Edith Stein.

“So many women have shared how their marriages are different, how their relationships in their families are different,” Sweeney said. “They are able to step back into their normal lives and understand God’s love so much more, and their own response to that love.”

“We’re really going into what life is, and why we believe in a fruitful culture. The culture kind of clouds the way and clutters up the heart,” Sweeney said. “ENDOW pushed that clutter away, so that the truth of who we are shines through.”

In addition to the facilitator training sessions, the Seattle ACCW also is inviting women of the archdiocese to two evenings of fellowship entitled “Wine Women and the Word” on June 21 and 22.

Participants in the evening gatherings will enjoy wine tasting and snacks while learning more about ENDOW and the ACCW.

ENDOW FACILITATOR TRAINING

Saturday, June 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church2316 180th St. S.E., Bothell 98012Sunday, June 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Pope John Paul II High School5608 Pacific Ave. S.E., Lacey 98503

WINE WOMEN AND THE WORD

Friday, June 21, 7– 9 p.m.Waving Tree Winery11901 124th Ave. N.E., Kirkland 98034Saturday, June 22, 7–9 p.m.Pellegrino’s Vineyard Room209 Cleveland Ave. S.E., Tumwater 98501For more information, visit www.endowgroups.org and www.SeattleACCW.org.

June 13, 2013