HUNTINGTON, Ind., April 13, 2015 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Carolyn Woo's new book,
Working for a Better World, was unveiled today by Our Sunday Visitor, its publisher.
It is an engrossing account of Dr. Woo's own life, as well as the critical work she oversees at Catholic Relief Services in helping over 100 million people worldwide in neglected, devastated and often dangerous locales.
Dr. Woo, named by Foreign Policy as among the 500 most powerful people on the planet and among only 33 in the category of "a force for good", knows from experience the sense of dislocation, loneliness and determination that accompany the immigrant. As the president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), she also knows the plight of the poor and refugee, the traumatized and oppressed.
An immigrant to the United States, Dr. Woo initially came for a university education, later serving as dean of the business school at the University of Notre Dame. Her personal and business background prepared her to lead CRS, the global humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States that works to transform the lives of vulnerable and distressed people in over 100 countries.
"Sharing what we have and what we can do not only helps those who desperately need it, but it allows God to transform us at the same time," says Woo. "Living a life of faith calls for a lot of work, literally."
Woo was raised Catholic in Hong Kong, a then-underdeveloped island of refugees. Even today, only 3 percent of its population is Catholic. Educated by the Maryknoll Sisters in Hong Kong, Woo points to their teaching and example as her inspiration to venture to America -- she always sensed God's closeness and purpose for her. Earning degrees in Economics and Strategic Management at Purdue University, she likewise attended daily Mass. She met her husband, an American from Delaware, through her local Catholic Church where both were serving on the parish council. They married in 1979, and have two grown sons.
Woo, 60, ponders the major events of her life -- even her reluctance to take the lead at CRS -- and is amazed by the path on which God has led her.
"I felt an invitation to continue the journey begun by the Maryknoll Sisters so long ago. These women were sent from America out into the world and they had found me in Hong Kong. Because of what they taught me, I not only came to America myself, but now I'm guiding an organization that tries to do what they did -- live the faith in all its manifestations around the world, in solidarity with every member of God's family."
Woo says it's a joyous journey, but not always an easy one.
"Today, when I am making my way clumsily through the rubble to examine the reconstruction of a building destroyed in an earthquake or trekking along a rough mountainous path to see an agricultural project, I recall photos I saw in the Sisters' library – of Mother Mary Joseph poised on a donkey…through rugged and uncertain terrain, no more adept than me, but loving the adventure and looking beyond the struggles of the moment."
Forbes Magazine has called CRS' work "the best kept secret of the Catholic Church", though CRS' assistance knows no faith or geographic boundaries.
Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit Catholic Relief Services.
For an interview with Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo, please contact Christine Valentine-Owsik at: (215) 230-8095 or
cowsik@osv.com
ABOUT OUR SUNDAY VISITOR
The world's largest English-language Catholic publisher, Our Sunday Visitor serves millions of Catholics globally through its publishing, offertory, and communication services. Established in 1912, Our Sunday Visitor publishes a wide range of books including Bibles, biographies of the saints, books by Pope Francis, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, children's books, devotionals, bible studies, inspirational works, and curriculum. Our Sunday Visitor is a not-for-profit organization, returning a portion of net earnings back to the Catholic community through the Our Sunday Visitor Institute. For more information, visit www.osv.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A native of Hong Kong, Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo is President and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Woo left Hong Kong as a teenager and came to the U.S., where she was motivated to create new opportunity. She earned her bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees in seven years at Purdue University and served for 14 years as the dean of the Mendoza School of Business at the University of Notre Dame. Prior, she was Associate Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Purdue University. She met her husband at the parish center and they have two grown children.
