Event Ideas
There is a role for everyone in Catholic Sisters Week: individuals, groups and organizations, families, parishes, schools and universities. Let the ideas below ignite your creativity—whether you’re able to plan and publicize a large-scale on-site event in your area, support a congregation’s work with a collection, create a virtual event on your community’s website or simply give a shout-out on social media in support of the life and mission of Catholic sisters, your participation is vital.
The actual celebration of Catholic Sisters Week is March 8-14. We encourage you to begin promoting your events and activities as soon as possible. You can post your activity or event on our events calendar. Sign up here to receive Catholic Sisters Week notifications and alerts.
Thank you for joining in this annual celebration of Catholic Sisters Week.
Ideas to get you started:
Sister Shout-Outs
Invite associates and oblates, donors, benefactors, friends and family, parishioners, students or coworkers, to complete the phrase “Sisters are …”, written boldly on a sheet of paper. Photograph the person holding the paper and upload it to your social media accounts. Use #catholicsistersweek.
Sister Storytelling Panel
Invite sisters to be on a panel and share their faith. Possible topics sisters could address:
- All Christians are called to follow Jesus but as a woman religious I am called to…
- What I find most rewarding about religious life is…
- What I find most challenging about religious life is…
- Religious life is needed today because…
Photo Displays and Slideshows
Create a photo display on a parish, school or ministry bulletin board or table highlighting sisters and their ministries. Contact congregation communications directors to request photos and/or put a request in the parish bulletin asking parishioners for photos. Additionally, create photo slideshows or videos for online sharing with the hashtag #catholicsistersweek. Remember to secure permission before posting photos online.
Ministry Recognition
Support a local sister or community’s mission and work:
- Invite a sister to share about her mission with your group.
- Organize a volunteer opportunity for your group at her ministry.
- Share your involvement on social media, church bulletins, blogs and the local press. Remember to use #catholicsistersweek on all posts.
- Make financial donations to the ministry.
Bible Study, Prayer Service or Lunch/Dinner Discussion
Organize a special bible study or prayer service during Catholic Sisters Week or plan a lunch/dinner and discussion on campus, in the parish hall, your home or another gathering space. Invite local sisters and honor their commitment during the gathering.
Founding Sisters Stories
If sisters were instrumental in founding your institution, reach out to the founding community and inquire if their archivist would put together a presentation of historical photos and documents for public viewing, for example in a display case or at a luncheon or other event. If possible, put the display online, #catholicsistersweek.
Tour a Local Monastery or Motherhouse
Ask if your group or class can tour a nearby monastery or motherhouse with a sister highlighting important aspects of the community’s life, history and work. Be sure to photo-document the tour for online sharing #catholicsistersweek.
City/County/State Proclamations
Contact your local officials and ask them for a proclamation to celebrate Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14, specifically naming the congregations in their district or area.
Guest Speakers
Invite a sister who is comfortable with public speaking to address your class, campus or parish group. Be sure to give her a topic that she is comfortable addressing and that will resonate with the audience.
Podcasts or Web Feature Stories
Interview sisters on topics of interest to your web and social media audience. Post a podcast or story each day during Catholic Sisters Week. For podcasts be sure to ask sisters who are articulate and comfortable with technology. Use #catholicsistersweek when posting.
Formal Presentations
Organize a formal presentation with a credentialed speaker. Suggested topics include: The Role of Women in the Church, Women in the Bible, Eco-spirituality, Prayer and Social Justice, Contemplative Prayer, or any other issue or topic about which women religious are passionate.
Ad Campaigns
Launch an ad campaign to highlight the lives and work of local sisters during Catholic Sisters Week. This could include print and online media, television or radio spots, and billboards.
Catholic Sisters Week is a project of Communicators for Women Religious, a professional organization of communicators within religious congregations of women. CWR members promote an understanding of women religious, enhance their image and advance their mission.