DOWAGIAC — A local church will host an internationally known humanitarian later this month.

Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 51841 Leach Road, Dowagiac, will host a book and movie discussion group at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, in the church’s Parish Hall. The book will be “Working for a Better World” by Dr. Carolyn Woo, the recently retired president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services. A potluck meal will begin at 5 p.m., with a more structured presentation at 6:30 p.m. Dessert and questions will follow. The event is open to the public, and visitors are welcome to come for either or both activities.

Carolyn Woo grew up in Hong Kong, China, in a city of refugees who had fled from the communist government in China. She completed her early education at a school run by the Maryknoll Sisters and became proficient in English. She said she made her first big unknown move with God’s help by coming the U.S. and enrolling at Purdue University. 

Wasting no time, Carolyn earned several degrees including her doctorate in business at Purdue, became a professor and was appointed as an academic administrator.  Making her second big unknown move, she became the dean of the Mendoza School of Business at Notre Dame University. Her latest big move was when Catholic Relief Services offered her the position of CEO and President of the global humanitarian arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Her book “Working for a Better World” is an account not only of Woo’s own life, but of the ongoing critical work of CRS in meeting the needs of the poor, the traumatized, and the needy throughout the world, she said. From typhoon-flattened cities in the Philippines to earthquake-devastated Haiti, CRS offers aid in over 100 countries.