The Council for Australian Catholic Women held their first meeting for 2012 at Riverglenn in Brisbane. The members welcomed the new Director for the Office for the Participation of Women, Ms. Donella Johnston. Sister Trish Madigan op and Andrea Dean were also welcomed to the meeting.

20 March Autumn Equinox

1 April - 8 April Holy Week

30 April - 2 May Communicating the Word: Australian Catholic Media Congress
Presenters include Melinda Tankard Reist and Geraldine Doogue
http://www.communicatingthewordacmc2012.com/index.php?page=Home

13 May Mother's Day

9-11 August Proclaim 2012 Conference on the New Evangelisation
http://www.proclaimconference.com.au/

21-23 September 2012
http://youthministry.catholic.org.au/national-support/australian-catholic-youth-ministry-convention-acymc.html

Inspiring Woman - Margaret Whitlam 

Source: from ABC News on-line - Margaret Whitlam dies by Tim Leslie  Updated March 17, 2012 17:27:10

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-17/margaret-whitlam-obit/3894502 

'I can do some good'

Mrs Whitlam will be remembered as a passionate woman who was never afraid to speak her mind, saying "I'm prepared to voice my own opinion, my own personal opinion on things, even if they're political".
Upon Mr Whitlam's ascension to the prime ministership, Mrs Whitlam quickly became known as an outspoken advocate for issues including women's rights and conservation.

By Fiona Basile, Kairos Catholic Journal

This article was published in Kairos. The full story and photo gallery are available at this link.

More than 100 women from across Victoria attended the 8th Anima Lenten Retreat held on Saturday 17 March at Nazareth House in Camberwell. The theme of this year’s retreat—Contemplating the Face of Christ—was taken from the upcoming Year of Grace.  The retreat director for the day was Fr Paschal Corby OFM Conv.

Media Release, March 1, 2012

The Catholic Women’s Fellowship will re-launch in 2012 with a new structure, allowing young women to complete a program of theology, spiritual formation, personal development and interfaith dialogue.

This article was published in "The Good Oil"

Brisbane-based Good Samaritan Sister, Pauline Coll has received a national award for her distinctive contribution and commitment to the fight against human trafficking, slavery and forced labour.

By Fiona Basile

This article was published in CAM News

"I believe in the genius of women. Even in the darkest periods that genius is found, which is the leaven of human progress and history." Blessed Pope John Paul II.

The Catholic Women's League of Australia (CWLA) has launched a new dynamic website to help bring the light of the Gospel to a wider audience and to contribute to the transformation of our culture into a civilisation of life and love. The new site is at:

http://www.cwla.org.au