Southern Deanery
President: Dorothy Rua
Spiritual Advisor: Rev. John Bosco Maison
Southern Deanery Council of Catholic Women (SDCCW) encompasses all of Brevard County that is widely referred to as the Space Coast. The Space Coast is home to NASA-Kennedy Space Center and also home to 80,000 Catholics.
Southern Deanery Board Meetings:
Board Meeting
General Meeting
All meetings are held at Ascension Catholic Church in Melbourne after the 9 a.m. mass.
The Southern Deanery Objectives are to:
To serve as a medium through which Catholic women may speak and act as a unit.
To unite and stimulate the work of Catholic women’s organizations of the SDCCW in purpose and direction, and action in religious, education, social, civic and economic fields.
For more information, contact Southern Deanery President, Dorothy Rua
Southern Deanery has six energetic and active affiliations. Our affiliations meet monthly from September through May. They are as follows:
Ascension Council of Catholic Women was formed in 1959 with the establishment of the parish in Melbourne. While care of our families, our work, hobbies and responsibilities are priorities - deep inside there is a relationship with Our God - an abiding peace that gives possibility, courage and strength to all that we do. It is that relationship that brings us together as Catholic women. We know it in ourselves and we see it in one another. It is that same relationship which commits us to our national mission to "support, empower and educate all Catholic women." Thus, most of our business is conducted in committees, so that when we gather on the second Tuesday evening of the month, we can enjoy special programs and guest speakers of interest to all women. We serve in almost all of the 80 ministries in the parish and we contribute to the empowerment and well-being of women and children especially through our many charities: Catholic Charities, Genesis House, High School Scholarship, Vocations, the monthly support of a disabled woman and more. We enjoy retreats and times of reflection; participate in legislative issues, Catholic Days at the Capital and conventions. We celebrate our womanhood with teas, craft fairs and family socials. ACCW is truly a sisterhood modeled on the generosity and hospitality of Our Blessed Mother. Every woman finds acceptance, affirmation and the opportunity to be the gift that she is. Together - we most truly are Catholic women in the world today.
Divine Mercy Council of Catholic Women is located on Merritt Island in Brevard County home to the Kennedy Space Center. Divine Mercy Parish and Council have existed for over 50 years. Primary fund raisers include the Divine Gift Store, the Phantom Tea Party, and the February Card Party Fashion Show and Luncheon. Our charities include the Divine Mercy Academy, St. Vincent De Paul Society, Catholic Relief Services, Birthright, Genesis House, Divine Mercy Youth Group, the Sister Diocese in the Dominican Republic, Burse Club, the Bishop’s Appeal, and Daughters of High Brace Orphanage for Girls located in the city of in Bani, Dominican Republic. The general membership meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month. Celebration birthday luncheons are held quarterly. We are always seeking out new members to assist with service to our church, community, and school.
Pregnancy Resource Center
Divine Mercy Catholic Church culture of Life ministry, CCW and Knights of Columbus are raising money to fix up a room in our ministry building to open a Catholic Pregnancy center in Brevard County. Our room is in need of plumbing, room walls for the exam room and a lot of prayers for warmth, color and Love. Once the room is ready we will need volunteers. We will be doing a baby bottle drive during the month of May 2026. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
Holy Name of Jesus Council of Catholic Women
Holy Spirit MIMS Council of Catholic Women
Our Lady of Lourdes Council of Catholic Women The Our Lady of Lourdes Council of Catholic Women (CCW) was established in 1948 and is currently blessed with 65 active members. Our parish serves 1,100 families throughout Melbourne, West Melbourne, and Palm Bay. Guided by our mission of faith, service, and fellowship, the CCW supports our local community by collecting and distributing food, clothing, toiletries, and toys to shelters, nursing homes, and sharing centers. We fund these charitable efforts through a variety of annual events, including bake sales, a Christmas raffle, a Mother’s Day baby shower, and our spring fashion show—our premier fundraiser and most anticipated event of the year. We work closely with our parish and community partners to ensure that the proceeds from our fundraising efforts benefit organizations such as Genesis House, Essential Pregnancy Center, Providence Connects and NaNa’s House. Through these partnerships, we strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. In addition to our charitable work, we gather for communal prayer in the church on the fourth Tuesday of each month. We warmly welcome all parishioners and visitors to join us in prayer and fellowship.