FAQs

What is the need for DWR?

Women who desire to make a life-long commitment to the mission of the diocese, under the direction of the bishop, need an avenue to answer that call.

Don’t we already have diocesan sisters today?

The short answer is yes. There are several dioceses in the USA that have Women Religious orders working under the authority of the bishop. These Women Religious belong to an already established order approved by Rome with a particular rule of life and charism. The Bishop functions as overseer of the community. These communities differ greatly from the DWR where the Bishop has full authority to utilize the sisters according to the needs of the diocese. The Bishop, in conjunction with the Personnel Board, assigns individuals within the pool of resources comprised of Diocesan Priests, Permanent Deacons and Diocesan Women Religious according to the needs of the diocese.

How is the life of a single woman working for the Church different from DWR?

All are called through their Baptismal Promises to a full, radical commitment to living out the Faith. Some single women are called to a mode by which that radical commitment does not fit into the traditional religious communities or celibate lay life. St. John Paul II explains in his Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem that there exists a clear difference between the unmarried or single woman and the woman who makes “a ‘sincere gift’ of their whole lives.” (#20) Their decision to “Leave everything and follow Christ” (cf. Mt 19:27) is unique. “(V)irginity is not restricted to a mere ‘no,’ but contains a profound ‘yes’ in the spiritual order; the gift of self for love in a total and undivided manner.” (#20)

Many dedicated single women are serving the Church and provide an enormous benefit! But the mode by which single women serve differs from DWR. Single women are free to choose where and how long they will serve in a particular ministry and are financially independent. DWR ministerial assignments are made through the Personnel Board in coordination with the Bishop. DWR are free to be reassigned as the need arises. They are financially dependent on the diocese.

But the most important difference is that DWR are assigned via the Diocesan Personnel Board. These women can be moved about the diocese as needs arise. If an educational opportunity develops, an DWR can be sent to school for that purpose. If a mentor is needed in a new parish, a sister may be assigned to that parish to mentor a new employee until the parish employee is ready. The flexibility of this group is very important.

Who pays for the education of DWR?

Since most in the DWR will have occupations that have salaries attached to their ministerial work which will be deposited to the DWR fund, the DWR fund will have stable income to use for the needs of these women. Educational needs will be drawn from this account as necessary.

Why DWR now?

Fifty years after Vatican II, the need for Women Religious communities has not decreased, yet the supply of these sisters has radically declined. At the same time, the opportunities that women have in the Church has dramatically increased. The current diocesan structure presents a unique opportunity to incorporate these women into the pool of resources available to the Diocesan Personnel Board to be better able to react to current and future needs.

How will DWR receive compensation?

DWR employers will compensate the diocese directly for the sister’s work. The sisters will be compensated via the diocese exactly as the Diocesan Priests. The DWR salary is significantly less than the compensation received from the employer.

The fact that currently all priests in the diocese get the same salary is remarkable. Whether in charge of a large or mission parish, all receive the same compensation. So, it should be with DWR.