The Call for National Dialogue on Women in Church Leadership (WICL), jointly sponsored by CTA and FutureChurch has really taken off. Over 2,300 education packets have been sold to advocates in 48 states and seven countries. They are being used in parishes, and have reached at least 11 diocesan offices, 12 Catholic universities, and over 50 bishops, as well as religious communities, small groups and retreat centers. Parishioners in Minnesota held a parish dialogue on women in the Church, then a program on women in the Scriptures, and will bring WICL coordinator Sr. Chris Schenk to speak to two large parishes in April. An activist in California organized a parish awareness program on "Women's Incredible Witness." WICL materials have been reproduced for parish bulletins and op-ed pieces in religious and secular media. WICL was featured at the 1998 CTA national conference. Conferees grabbed over 4,000 WICL brochures and bought hundreds of packets. Nearly 100 CTAers were linked to the U.S. bishops' project, "From Words to Deeds," which seeks to incorporate women's gifts in the Church.

Since August, 10 related stories have appeared in the news media. A 28-minute video was aired on cable access stations in the Washington, D.C., area and in Northeastern Ohio. It features FutureChurch co-founder, Fr. Lou Trivison, adult educator Jim DeBoy, Sr. Chris Schenk and Sr. Bridget Mary Meehan. (For a video, call 216 228-0869.) The WICL-related Mary of Magdala celebration last July sparked prayer services all over the U.S. Even more are planned for 1999.