Nearly 300 members of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW) met for their 64th Conference and bi-annual installation of new officers at The Quiet Cannon in Montebello Oct. 8. Archbishop José Gomez celebrated the Eucharist with the ACCW and commended the women for the theme of this year’s conference: Our Faith Journey Continues.During his homily at the ACCW conference, Archbishop Gomez reiterated the words of Pope Francis in his first encyclical “Lumen Fidei” as he said: “The light of faith is capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence. Faith is born of an encounter with the living God who calls us and reveals his love….Transformed by this love, we gain fresh vision, new eyes to see; we realize that it contains a great promise of fulfillment, and that a vision of the future opens up before us. Faith, received from God as a supernatural gift, becomes a light for our way, guiding our journey through time.”During his homily, Archbishop Gomez also reiterated the words of Pope Francis as he made reference to Mary as “more important than bishops” and as Pope Francis indicated and Archbishop Gomez emphasized, “It’s about time.” In a reference to the women Martha and Mary, Archbishop Gomez especially noted that Jesus’ message was very clear to Martha, “Mary has chosen the better part” because Jesus is the “center of our lives and, even in the ordinary tasks of the day, everything we do should be religious. ‘Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it,’ Jesus was saying. Always remember, Jesus is at our side.”At this year’s conference, the ACCW also celebrated 90 years of prayerful support and service to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Like Martha and Mary, the women of the ACCW have provided support to the people of the archdiocese in countless ways since the founding of the organization in 1923.San Pedro Region Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis, conference speaker, shared his thoughts regarding Pope Francis’ recent journey to Assisi and also referenced words of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Bishop Solis asked conference attendees to listen to the voice of Pope Francis and “go forward with courage, and be witnesses of the faith we proclaim, with Christ in your homes, proclaim him among your friends and serve him in the poor.” Bishop Solis asked attendees to see the words of the popes as highlights, guides for the journey, a “journey of faith.” As well he insisted that all must be “credible witnesses and faith in God is love for him who loved us first,” and “our hearts must be connected to God’s heart” at all times. Immediately after liturgy the incoming officers for the next two years were installed. The following are the new officers for the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women:President: Jan Kubani, St. Bede the Venerable Parish, La Ca√±ada Flintridge1st Vice President: Gen Gorciak, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Gardena2nd Vice President: June Myles, Ascension Parish, Los Angeles3rd Vice President: Glenda Evangelista, Our Lady of Loretto, Los AngelesSecretary: Gretchen Midgley, Sts. Felicitas and Perpetua,San Marino Treasurer: Patti Bowman, St. Pancratius, LakewoodInvolved in the ACCW since the 1980s, outgoing president Liz Fan commented about her many happy years as a member of the ACCW and as president. “This group of women is always so gracious, so friendly and welcoming,” said Fan. “We do apostolic work—always trying to make a difference in the lives of others, evangelizing as Catholic women and spreading the Good Word of Jesus at all times—always gentle, kind and considerate and having that smile.” {gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2013/1018/accw/{/gallery}