Catholic Daughters convention held in McAllen
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"One Faith, One Body, One Lord of All" was the theme of the 46th Biennial Texas State Convention of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas held April 23-26 in McAllen.
The state board luncheon served as the kick-off activity for the convention, providing an opportunity to say 'thank you' to those who have worked so hard over the last two years enabling CDA in Texas to excel.
The 2009 Convention opened with Mass on April 23, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan Del Valle. Celebrants were The Most Reverend Raymundo J. Pena, Bishop of Brownsville; the Rev. Donald Ruppert, Texas State Chaplain, and National Clergy Consultant, East Bernard. Also participating were the Rev. John Peters, Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas State Chaplain, Hallettsville; several priests and deacons.
About 900 people attended. Participants included Carolyn Malik, Second Vice State Regent, Shiner; and National Regent, Libby Ramirez of Victoria.
The keynote address was given by the Rev. Eduardo Montemayor, director of evangelization, Diocese of Corpus Christi. His address, Together We Are Strong, emphasized the two year theme of State Regent Carolyn Bachmann.
Ruppert was the celebrant for the memorial Mass in memory of 2007-09 deceased CDA members.
Presiding over the Past Regents Club of Texas "Women of the Bible" Friday luncheon and meeting was Lillian Hansen, El Campo, 2007-09 PRC president. The 2009-11 PRC officers elected were Cathy Bittner, Rosenberg, president; Christine Moore, Columbus, first vice president; Beatriz Gonzalez, Victoria, second vice president; Darcie Miksch, Columbus, secretary; Patricia Carr, Richardson, treasurer. There were 64 new members in the past term with a total of 431 members in Texas.
Ruppert served as speaker and master of ceremonies for the Clergy/Men's Luncheon on Friday. Peters gave the benediction.
Friday evening's "Fiesta Mexicana" Fun Night began with the 40-year tradition Border Buttermilk reception hosted by the McAllen Chamber. While enjoying dinner, the La Joya High School Folklorico Dance Team and the Mariachi Performers provided the dinner entertainment.
Elected as the 2009-11 state officers are Sheila Martinka, state regent, Houston; Carolyn Malik, first vice state regent, Shiner; Peggy Rosales, second vice state regent, Austin; Eve Trevino, state secretary, Corpus Christi; Minnie Rodgers, state treasurer, Mission. The Passing of the Robe Ceremony followed the announcement.
Peters was the celebrant and homilist for the JCDA celebration.He has been state JCDA chaplain for 25 years. He also celebrated the 35th anniversary of his ordination in McAllen with 1,000 CDA sisters. The Mariachi Universitario served as music ministers. Lectors were Beth Krenek, JCDA state president, East Bernard; Sarah Ornelas, JCDA first state vice president, Baytown; and Ashley Stilley, JCDA second state vice president, Sealy.
Ten new courts were instituted with another expected in May and six new JCDA Courts instituted. There are currently 230 Courts with 15,800 members in Texas. There are also 56 Junior Catholic Daughter Courts with 801 members in Texas and six College Campus Courts.
On the final morning, 50 people, including National Regent Libby Ramirez, participated in the First Walk/Run Event. More than $3,500 was raised for the Texas Missions of Mercy Projects.
The 2011 state convention will be in Houston. San Antonio presented a bid for the 2013 Convention.
Ruppert gave a workshop presentation on Spirituality to all members Saturday afternoon stating that spiritual growth is a life-long process of becoming more like Jesus Christ. For a visual emphasis to his message of walking in the Spirit, Ruppert used members of his home court Saint Bernadette No. 1108, East Bernard; Terrie Vacek as the narrator, Henriette Jalowy as the Emma-tater, Patricia Michulka as the Spectator, Debbie Guthman as the Comment-tater, Carolyn Minks as the Agie-tater, Joey Pitman as the Hezzie-tater and Helen Pesek as the Dick-tater in a 'Tater Family Skit' where Jesus transformed those stinking rotten Taters into "Sweet Taters!"
