The Diocese of Northampton is delighted to congratulate Helen Burgess, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Flitwick, on her recent appointment as Vice President of the National Board of Catholic Women (NBCW).
Helen serves as the Diocese’s link representative to the NBCW, convenes its Women in the Church committee and is also a doctoral student at the Margaret Beaufort Institute, Cambridge. Her appointment reflects her longstanding commitment to encouraging women’s participation in the life and mission of the Church at diocesan and national levels.
Within the Diocese of Northampton, Helen also leads the Women in Ministry Group, which brings together women from across the diocese with a wide range of experiences, perspectives and vocations. Inspired by the Synod’s vision of communion, participation and mission, the group offers a welcoming space for listening, dialogue and shared discernment as women continue to contribute to the life of the Church.
Parishioners are invited to sign up for the Women in Ministry newsletter through the diocesan website to hear about future meetings, reflections and opportunities to become involved.
The National Board of Catholic Women is a national network that enables Catholic women to share their gifts in the service of the Church and society. As a consultative body to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, the NBCW provides an important channel through which the voices and experiences of Catholic women help inform the life of the Church. It is also connected internationally through the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO).
Membership of the NBCW is open to all women and costs £10 per year, giving members free access to a programme of webinars, talks and events that support spiritual formation, education and fellowship. Members also have opportunities to contribute to committees and campaigns addressing issues including safeguarding, racial justice, criminal justice, modern slavery, bioethics and care for creation.
The organisation’s popular Walking with Women series continues throughout the year, exploring a wide range of themes relevant to Catholic women today, with Helen leading several of the sessions.
Helen also encourages anyone interested in the future role of women in the Church to read the recently published Vatican Study Group 5 report on The Participation of Women in the Life and Leadership of the Church, one of several initiatives flowing from the Synod on Synodality.
