Catholic Daughters of the Americas 53^rd Biennial National Convention

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Content provided by Tom Panas, Public Relations Director

The morning business session began at 8:00 a.m. with a lively skit presented by the State of Nebraska to announce that Nebraska will host the 54th Biennial National Convention in 2012. The presentation included interesting facts about the state expressed humorously with the aid of props and costumes.

During World War II Catholic Daughters in North Platte prepared box lunches for U.S. troops passing through that city by train on the way to the front. Kool-Aid was invented in Hastings. Omaha was the home of Boys Town, and, “Here's……Johnny” originated in Norfolk.

The presentation ended with the words, “Come let us show you why Nebraska is the good life.”

National Secretary-Treasurer Theresa Kocer then called each state to the dais to pick up their awards' packets. The credentials report showed that 990 people were in attendance with an actual voting strength of 683. After the credentials report was adopted, Second Vice National Regent and First Vice National Regent-Elect Shirley Seyfried made a motion to destroy the ballots immediately following the convention. The motion was adopted.

Suggestions from the floor followed, including an idea to approach U.S. military bases to form Catholic Daughter courts. National Legislative Chairman Margaret Sitte said, “a new mission statement needs to include Jesus and Mary and stay in full accord with the teachings of the Catholic Church.”

A request from the floor asked if one of the clergy could “clarify for us the laws of the church regarding a person who has married, divorced and remarried.” In reply, National Chaplain Most Rev. David Fellhauer, Bishop of the Victoria Diocese, Victoria, Texas, said, “The church’s teaching is and has always has been that a sacramental marriage between two baptized Catholics is indissoluble because of the words of Jesus in the Gospel.”

Later, to clarify the church’s position regarding divorced persons receiving the Eucharist, Bishop Fellhauer referenced a letter by the late Holy Father Pope John Paul II on marriage. Past National Regent M. Joan McKenna made a motion that the letter be included in an upcoming newsletter or issue of SHARE Magazine and/or posted on the CDA website. The motion was adopted.

Bishop Fellhauer was later asked to bless items purchased at the convention, which he did.

Compliments from the floor were given to the Tools of the Trade Second Edition.

The dates for the next State Officers' Conference in Belleville, Illinois, were announced as July 10-16, 2011.

Terrie Vacek, who volunteered to be the convention photographer and did a wonderful job in this role, presented National Regent Libby Ramirez with a picture scrapbook which Terrie prepared that chronicled Libby’s two-year tenure.

After Libby Ramirez thanked the many individuals and groups who worked so hard to make the convention a success, Bishop Fellhauer said the closing prayer, including the words: “God of power and might and mercy, only with your help can we offer you fitting service and praise.”

The Color Guard then retired the flag, and the business session came to a close.

The Installation Mass was held at 4:00 p.m. at St. Louis’s Church. Catholic Daughters processed down the aisle grouped according to their local court, state and national positions. It was beautiful to see the clusters of colored robes in motion – each at the proper 11” length from the ground and with appropriate shoes, showing respect to the proper attire and the position which each robe, trim color, and emblem represents.

Mass was concelebrated by Bishop David E. Fellhauer and Most Reverend Edward M. Grosz, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Buffalo. The gospel reading according to St. Luke was the well-known “Martha and Mary's Reception of Jesus.” Bishop Fellhauer said, “Hospitality does not mean running around and doing all kinds of things for your guests, but ‘paying attention’ to your guests.”

Bishop Fellhauer next installed the Newly-Appointed National Chaplain Reverend Edward Lamp, with the words, “You will be the spiritual leader of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas for the next two years.” National Regent-Elect Joanne Tomassi then presented Father Lamp with the National Chaplain’s pin.

Libby Ramirez called upon the newly-elected five National Officers and nine National Directors (named in previous daily wrap-ups) to step forward on the altar. She asked them to recite the Pledge and requested that Father Lamp bless the pins bestowed upon them.

Joanne Tomassi asked the new officers to stand and join her in saying the Act of Consecration. Libby Ramirez acknowledged the wonderful service of the outgoing National Board members: National Secretary-Treasurer Theresa Kocer and National Directors Lois Nelson, Duchess Collins, Lorayne K. Zimmerman and Evelyn Saxton.

At 8:00 p.m. the Appreciation Banquet began in the hotel ballroom. Joanne Tomassi said, “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice in it.”

Libby Ramirez told the Catholic Daughters, “You are what we are. Without you, we are nothing. Thank you.”

In his invocation, Auxiliary Bishop Grosz said, “You have no idea what a shot in the arm it is for clergy to see such wonderful people dedicated to the church. In the name of the faith, sisters…enjoy!”

Instead of the traditional champagne toast, the gathering toasted with lemonade, a symbolic gesture to reinforce how important it is in life and as Catholic Daughters to “make lemonade when you get a sour lemon.”

New York State Regent Penny Martin said, “We came. We shared. We cried. We laughed. We sang. We did beautiful liturgies. We agreed to disagree.”

Greeting the gathering on behalf of the National Council of Catholic Women, President Patty Johnson spoke of, “the power of our womanly genius. Imagine what our combined organizations could accomplish….we are grateful for our sisterhood on a shared path.”

Karen Hurly, president, WUCWO (World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations) said, “We have tried to insist that every life is a gift of God and needs to be respected….The accomplishments of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas are outstanding examples of the genius of women to mobilize and organize.”

Libby Ramirez then presented Helen Johnson as the “Catholic Daughter Woman of the Year.” The former National Legislative Chairman said, “Over the years I fretted and stewed over presentations regarding legislation, but nothing like tonight.”

“No member of the Catholic Daughters, no matter where she lives or how long she has been a member, should ever feel like a stranger in our organization,” Helen said. “We all need to be reunited under Catholic Daughter leadership that will stimulate change across the country.”

When Helen completed her remarks, Libby said of her own journey to the position of National Regent, “I believe that God had a plan for me that I didn’t even know existed.” Libby thanked National Clergy Consultant Father Donald Ruppert for his consistent support, expressing how grateful she was for the words Father Ruppert often said to her: “It’ll work out; it’ll work out.” Libby thanked the National Board for their service. “We agreed to disagree and still be friends.”

“I’m looking forward to getting back to Victoria [Victoria, Texas, Libby’s hometown], Libby concluded, “to work in my rose garden, spend a little time drinking coffee in the afternoon and not have to worry about answering Peggy’s emails.”

Two of Libby’s four daughters, Betty Birdwell and Valerie McCormick then spoke eloquently and lovingly of their admiration for “Mom’s” achievements and the support their parents gave them. “My mother and father,” Valerie said, “taught us that we could do anything we put our minds to.”

“Many of you remember my father,” Valerie continued. “He would travel with the Catholic Daughters. His name tag was ‘Mr. Libby.’”

Libby has spoken often of the consistent support and encouragement her husband Alfred, deceased of a heart attack several years ago, gave her throughout her Catholic Daughter journey.

Joanne Tomassi then gave Libby a Papal blessing from Pope Benedict XVI and said, “I sincerely hope that I will be able to lead with the same good graces as Libby did.”

“My first area of focus,” Joanne continued, “will be to increase membership, as well as to ensure the ongoing satisfaction of our existing members. “

“My second area of focus will be campus courts. It is my plan to appoint a committee to develop a plan for campus courts which I expect to be ready for first review at the State Officers' Conference in July, 2011.”

“My third area of focus will be territorial courts.”

It was then explained that instead of having traditional gifts for on each person attending the banquet, the Catholic Daughters donated $8,040 to Habitat International for those in need in Haiti.

With the final words of Bishop Fellhauer’s closing benediction, “Bless the CDA. Bless all of you here and for a safe return home,” the Appreciation Banquet and the 53rd Biennial National Convention came to a close.

Glimpses of Convention Highlights

Christina Armendarez, left, with her mom, newly-elected First Vice National Regent Shirley Seyfried, right. Christina was kind enough to take video of the Installation Mass.

Catholic Daughter “Woman of the Year,” Helen Johnson, left, with newly-elected National Regent, Joanne Tomassi, right.

Catholic Daughters in their respective officers’ robes stand on the stairs outside of St. Louis Church before the Installation Mass.

Outgoing National Board members, left to right: National Directors Evelyn Saxton and Lois Nelson; National Secretary Treasurer Theresa Kocer; National Directors Lorayne K. Zimmerman and Duchess Collins. The Catholic Daughters thank you for your service.

National Regent Libby Ramirez, left, and Immediate Past National Regent Claudia Bosch, right, share a moment of joy after the Installation Mass.

During the Appreciation Banquet, National Regent Libby Ramirez’s grandson Raymond was hoisted upon the shoulders of the hotel’s Food and Beverage Manager who befriended him, giving Raymond a “birds eye view” of the proceedings.

Introducing The Newly-Elected National Board. Identified by their positions for the 2010-2012 term, National Officers, from left to right, front row: Letty Calvetti, Second Vice National Regent; Anne B. Nelson, National Regent-Elect; National Regent Joanne Tomassi; Shirley Seyfried, First Vice National Regent; and Helene Shepard, National Secretary-Treasurer.

Left to right, back row, National Directors: Delma Ariza, AZ; Maryann Grabasky, NC; Sherry Nilles, IA; Mary Ann Kizer, AR; Emily Guilherme, CA; Vicki Boeckman, MN; Janet Martineau, MT; and Julia Dolan, PA. Absent from this picture, National Director Olga Samaniego.

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, Friday, 7/16

Convention Update, Thursday, 7/15

Convention Update, Wednesday, 7/14