Catholic Daughters of the Americas 53^rd Biennial National Convention

Friday, July 16, 2010

Content provided by Tom Panas, Public Relations Director

After this morning’s opening prayer, Elections Committee Chairman Lisa Jensen gave the report of the Elections Committee and National Regent Libby Ramirez announced that National Director Letty Calvetti was elected to the position of Second Vice National Regent. National Regent Libby Ramirez then said, “At this time I would like to bring up the elected national officers of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas: National Regent Joanne Tomassi; National Regent-Elect Anne Nelson; First Vice National Regent Shirley Seyfried; Second Vice National Regent Letty Calvetti; and National Secretary-Treasurer Helene Shepard.”

Libby then announced the newly-elected National Directors: Delma Arriza, AZ; Maryann Grabasky, NC; Mary Ann Kizer, AR; Olga Samaniego, TX; Julia Dolan, PA; Janet Martineau, MT; Sherry Nilles, IA; Emily Guilherme, CA; and Vickie Boeckman, MN.

Libby introduced the members of the 2010-2012 Nominating Committee: Penny Martin, NY, chairman; Linda Coletti, MA; Irene Duda, OR; Daphne Bernestine, CA; Carolyn Malik, TX; Della Santos, IL; Nancy Bambenek, MN. Alternates: Belinda Swagger, NC; and Peggy Guckin, PA.

Circle of Love Program awards were announced. They were given to three local and three state courts, and some territorial courts. Lois Nelson announced Quality of Life awards; Margaret Sitte, Legislative; Letty Calvetti, Education; Evelyn Saxton, Spiritual Enhancement; Helene Shepard, Leadership; and Duchess Collins, Membership/Extension, representing National Membership/Extension Chair Helen Arndorfer, who could not be present.

National Secretary-Treasurer Theresa Kocer explained that for JCDA/Youth there were two $500 scholarships, one for a public or private high school student and one for a Catholic high school student. There was also a scholarship award for a Junior Catholic Daughter who has been a JCDA member for two years and will be entering college.

A highlight of the afternoon session was the announcement of the Catholic Daughter charitable donations: SOAR! (Support Our Aging Religious), $7,000; Apostleship of the Sea, $6,000; SmileTrain $50,000 (this will allow 2,000 children to receive cleft-palate surgery); Catholic Relief Services, $75,000; American College of Louvain $10,000; North American College, $13,000; Holy Cross Family Ministries $20,000; Tutwiler Clinic $10,000; and Mother Teresa $15,000.

At this convention, Catholic Daughter charitable donations total $206,000.

After telling the gathering that The Tools of the Trade Second Edition was sold out (there are some CDs available) Libby explained that the priests who met yesterday for the Clergy Luncheon had compiled suggestions for the Catholic Daughters in the form of a clergy report. National Clergy Consultant Father Donald Ruppert said one idea was to nurture relationships with seminarians so they will have good feelings about the Catholic Daughters when they become priests. Father Ruppert also shared a story to much applause about a Catholic Daughter court that “saved” a faltering Knights of Columbus group by paying off their delinquent debts and bringing them back to active status.

Libby Ramirez introduced past national regents Grace Rinaldi and Rayola McLaughlin. Grace Rinaldi drew laughter when she said that “the ole’ grey mare she ain’t what she used to be.” Grace said that it had occurred to her that this might be her last convention, but that being at this convention changed her mood considerably and she felt optimistic about attending others. She warmly welcomed Past National Regent Rayola McLaughlin into the “Nineties Club” and spoke of how important it was to have friends across the country only a telephone call away and how rewarding it was to renew acquaintances at convention. If there was room in their prayers, Grace asked the gathering to “save a little prayer for me.”

Past National Regent Rayola McLaughlin said that this is a very important time for Catholic women to express themselves forthrightly and let their voices be heard within society and the church. Rayola spoke proudly of The Catholic Daughters’ illustrious history, how it was formed in 1903 and has grown into one of the oldest and largest organizations of Catholic women in the Americas. Rayola added that it is very important to talk about the Catholic Daughters and try to bring in new members.

National Habitat for Humanity Chairman Shirley Seyfried gave a slide presentation on the most recent Habitat House in Arizona, pointing out that it was the 25th Habitat House built by the Catholic Daughters since the first Catholic Daughter Habitat House was built following the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. Habitat is Shirley’s favorite charity because “we can work side by side to build those homes.”

Glimpses of Convention Highlights

Special thanks to Terrie Vacek for taking convention pictures

Several nominees for the 2010-2012 Nominating Committee gather around two symbols of importance to CDA: “Unity and Charity” and the Blessed Mother.

National Regent Libby Ramirez, left, presents Texas State Regent Sheila Martinka, right, with a plaque given to Sheila from Project Handclasp for humanitarian service.

Catholic Daughters gather together in any kind of weather.

National and state leaders wore appropriate colors for “Patriot Day”

"“Fun Night” was truly a lot of fun for all.

Photos may be downloaded by left clicking on the photo to enlarge it. Then, right clicking on the enlarged photo and selecting save image.

Convention Update, Saturday, 7/17

Convention Update, Thursday, 7/15

Convention Update, Wednesday, 7/14