CCW – Council of Catholic Women


Woman of the Year 2025 – Sarah Reineke


The CCW is excited to announce our Woman of the Year: Sarah Reineke!

Sarah and her family are cherished members of the St. Giles Parish and School community, known for their warmth and friendship to all. Sarah has generously shared her time, talents, and resources across numerous events and initiatives. Her nominators praised many of her contributions and qualities, but one described them most eloquently: Sarah shares her time, talent, and treasure to support many other St. Giles School, Parish, and CCW events.

We are deeply grateful for Sarah’s dedicated contributions to the Parish, School, and CCW events: Sarah plays a key role in Parish events, such as the Rummage Sale, offering support to all committees and always stepping in to help with any event.

Her involvement at St. Giles School goes beyond being a parent; she actively participates in numerous committees, volunteers regularly, and supports events like the 8th grade play, Black and Gold events, Lion’s Leap, and many others.

Sarah has also been an invaluable supporter of CCW events. She not only helps but currently chairs the Coat Drive, and has supported events like the Barefoot Contessa, Bunco, Basket Making for the Christmas Party, and much more. Additionally, she participates in the Book Club and works diligently to assist all committees.

Other nominations highlighted the following qualities:

  • Sarah would be a wonderful candidate for all she does for St. Giles – school and church.
  • Sarah gives whatever free time to help in school. She’s very knowledgeable and always willing to help and donate
  • Sarah is an asset to the St. Giles community. She is helpful whenever asked.
  • She’s the perfect choice for the CCW woman of the year.
  • She is greatly involved!
  • Sarah has always been ready to help St. Giles Parish and School when needed.
  • Sarah is an asset to St. Giles Parish. Sarah deserves to be CCW Woman of the Year.

Congratulations to Sarah!

Letter From CCW


Dear Parishioners,

In many ways 2023 has been a remarkable year so far. As a world, we continue to settle into a new way of life and adjustments with COVID and, closer to home, we are marking a significant moment in time as St Catherine-St Lucy and St Giles unite into one parish. This year has been a time to reunite with a bit more safety and, as a combined community, strengthen our faith, our care for one another and the world we live in together.

For anyone not familiar with CCW – it stands for Council of Catholic Women. CCWs exist in numerous parishes throughout the Archdiocese and connects women through faith, friendship and service. As SCSL and St Giles unite, we are working to bring the women from both church communities together and hope to establish a new CCW under our new parish. If you are a woman in SCSL and St. Giles, then you are part of the CCW community. We welcome you to share your ideas, attend events and participate or assist in any way that you can. We are so much stronger together!

If you are reading this and are curious, interested, have an idea or simply want to connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Also, if you would like to receive CCW Flocknote messages directly, please send us your email. Otherwise, CCW information and upcoming activities can be found in the bulletin and the weekly Friday Flocknote. Please feel free to call or email us at: kariteam4@gmail.com or 847-767-6781 and marlene117@att.net or 708-848-3828, if you would like more information about CCW or would like to get involved in any way.

Peace to you,
Kari Harris and Marlene Panebianco
CCW Co-Presidents

Upcoming CCW Events


There are several important CCW events coming up. We are immensely grateful to the dedicated women planning these faith and service efforts. They would greatly value any participation and/or support! We hope you share this with your friends and join as well.

  • Day of Meals for Housing ForwardThe CCW is looking to support Housing Forward by providing a Day of Meals on May 20 – The sign-up is broken down for various items – sign up for what you’d like – Drop your items off at 7 pm at Saint Catherine-Saint Lucy Rectory, 38 N. Austin, Oak Park – SIGN-UP NOW!
  • CCW Book ClubTuesday, June 24 at 7 pm – Meet in the Parish Center Living Room – Book: James by Percival Everett – Contact Kari Harris at kariteam4@gmail.com or 847-767-6781 for more information.
  • Friends Feeding the CommunitySaturday, July 5 at 8:30 am
  • Feed Our FatherMay and June 2025 – We need one volunteer every Monday to deliver a home cooked meal for the men of the rectory.

Our “Mission Statement”


CCW responds to the needs of women of all ages within the parish community and beyond. CCW affirms every woman’s unique gifts and talents, providing opportunities to develop spiritually, intellectually and socially.

Many Opportunities to Join In and Help!


Please contact Kari Harris or Marlene Panebianco if you would like to find out more about CCW, how to get involved, have questions or ideas…. we welcome you. Kari’s email is: kariteam4@gmail.com and Marlene’s email is: marlene117@att.net

CCW Board 2023-2024


  • Co-Presidents – Kari Harris and Marlene Panebianco
  • Vice-President – Hope Jaeger
  • Advisors – Kathy Ritten and Theresa Atchley
  • Secretary – Carrie Van Ermen
  • Treasurer – Natalie Connolly
  • Flocknote – Sharon Zinkula

Board Meetings 2022


Our first few Board meetings are scheduled. Please join us in the Parish Center at 7 pm to meet together to connect, have fun and discuss our parish activities.

  • Tuesday, September 20
  • Tuesday, October 18
  • Tuesday, November 15