Greetings....! wish to thank all for supporting me in my election to State Treasurer.
We/I moved to Arizona in 1959 for my husband's health. In 1953 when I graduated from high school, I visited Arizona, never dreaming one day I would live here. Now I tell everyone that Missouri is a good place to be from.
I was married for 40 years when my husband passed away. I raised 5 children, 2 boys and 3 girls. They have given me 19 grandchildren.
In the 80's, I was elected President of St. Joseph's Parish Altar and Rosary Society. I am currently again serving as president of the Altar and Rosary Society. I joined Catholic Daughters at the urging of Trudi Cisco in 1997. In 1999, I was elected Vice Regent for Court St. Francis of Assisi #2221. In 2002, I was elected to serve as Regent for Court 2221. I was elected to the Arizona State Board and I have served as State Secretary for the past 4 years.
It has been a joy working with the State Board and meeting CDA members from Courts around the state of Arizona. I am looking forward to serving as State Treasurer for the next 2 years, and meeting other Court members. God Bless.
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Arizona CDA Reflections
August 2009
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Father Abran, and My dear Sisters in Christ,
OMG, I am relieved that our State Convention, is now history, and I am so
grateful to so many for all their help in realizing it's accomplishment.
To Audrey Miller, Alice Cavaletto and Phyllis Hall, Convention Co-Chairs,
Thank you for a job well done. To all the Committee Chairmen, who so skillfully preformed their assignments, a special thanks to all the ladies who worked the Registration , and the Credentials desks, to all who helped prepare the "Goodie Bags", to the members of the State Board who were there to pick up the ball and run with it when needed. To Father Abran for all he did and for his beautiful grotto for our Blessed Mother. Our Thanks to Deacon Carlos Vessells, especially his closing cell phone call from God. My thanks to our Past State Regents, Ann Cahill, Betty Grogan and Peg Chew for their participation at the convention. To Duchess Collins, our National Representative who as usual executed her duties with poise and class. To all who ran to and from my room fetching needed items, (I will not name all, as I am sure I will leave someone out), but you all know who you are, my sincere and heartfelt thanks. I would also be remise, if I did not express my sincere thanks to my niece Monique Hernandez and her daughter for their help loading and unloading the van's with convention materials, and driving to and from Tucson and Mesa with all our "stuff". I am so blessed to have had all your support. I Love and owe you all!
Most of all, a extra special "Thank You" to All our State Membership for the beautiful Past State Regent's Ring. I will wear it proudly, knowing you all shared in my tenure as State Regent.
As I ride off into the sunset, I leave you with this message: I urge you to "Keep the Fire Burning" for Catholic Daughters. My hope is that the Fire of Love will be inspired within you to strive to increase membership in your courts, so we may continue to accomplish the mission our Order expects us to provide. Our passion for God will enflame the passion of others. Let us put our Trust in God, and that we will hear and answer his call to service, and others will join us, as they too hear His call. Let us share the Fire that Burns within us with energy and focus. Let us pray and ask God for His Holy Fire. I say to you this: If you remain ever true to the principles of this great order to which we belong, and if you believe in them with all you heart, (as I do) and you live them, and if you get countless others to join with you in supporting those values, then indeed your lives will be fruitful and happy ones, and that those that come after you will be beneficiaries of your great work! So let us Light new Fires of Love and Service as we go forth.
This will be my final message to you as State Regent. My sincere and heartfelt thanks for giving me the opportunity serve as Regent. Let us remember the Four Blessed Looks as I leave and you go forward and prepare the future. Look Back and "Thank God"; Look Forward and "Trust God"; Look Around and "Serve God"; Look Within and "Find God"
I Respect and Love you ALL. May our Lords Blessings always be on you and your Families.
God Bless! Delma
Dear Catholic Daughters,My Dear Fr. Abran and My Dear CDA Sisters,
I pray this letter finds you well and full of God’s blessings; especially blessings from the State Convention. It was truly full of blessings.
I was so pleased with the State Convention. It is good to see how the Holy Spirit truly works in each of you, working towards a greater unity with God. I must say, thanks be to God for Our Lady as well. She truly intercedes for us seeing that our true heart’s desire is to do good for the love of God. At the rate we are going, God will keep blessing our Order that we may make a difference as we travel the world.
I am looking forward to the next State Convention. I can’t wait to see all the progress that shall be made as it was these past two years. Please remember that we have placed ourselves, as Catholic Daughters, in the hands of our Blessed Mother. Offer all your work to her, so she shall take it with much love to Our Lord. May Our Lady keep shining her love upon all and keep our hearts burning to do His work.
Also my gratitude, blessing and love go to Delma Araiza, as she has done a great job as our State Regent. My blessings and assistance go to Susan Mone, as she takes on the role of State Regent. Keep smiling as you always have, it is very joful to see God’s love reflected in your smiles , works, and joys!
In Him,Fr. Abran Tadeo | ||||||
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Mark your Calendar's....
Rosary Sunday 2009
will be held in
Phoenix, on Sunday, October 11
Starting at 2:00 — 4:15 PM
It will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center,
Halls F & G.
Catholic Daughters should be
dressed in white and come early for the procession
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link to pictures
We have all had the experience of planning and looking forward to a vacation or special event and it seems to take so long to come, and then in a blink, it's over and is now just fond memories. Well, that is what our State Convention was like for me. We spent months preparing for it, I blinked and now it is just a memory. I hope that those who attended enjoyed the convention as much as I did. It is always such fun to get together with members from the four- corners of our State and to refresh friendships and to make new ones.We all take away different things from the convention to carry back to our Local Courts. Hopefully those attended the convention will give a convention report and share the events and what you got from the convention that will be most helpful to your court.
I would like to say many thanks to all people involved in making the convention go smoothly and successful. There was a lot of behind the scenes activities to a convention, but the State Board was blessed with so many willing helping hands. I thank, our State Chaplain Fr. Abran who is always there to support us and advise us and leads us to "Keep the Fires Burning" by his wonderful spiritual words. A special Thanks, Fr. Abran, for the beautiful shrine to Our Blessed Mother you made for our meeting room, as well as the beautiful and spiritual memorial and installation masses.
Arizona is so blessed to have such a wonderful National Director to guide us. Duchess Collins is a joy to work with as she keeps us on track between Local, State and National CDofA. She has been invaluable to the State Board, especially in the planning of our State Convention.
It has been a pleasure to work with the Board Members, and I want to say a heartfelt Thank you to Delma, Bernadette, Maureen and Marilyn for their support and teamwork. You have been a great board to be a part of and we've had a lot of fun along the way. I welcome our two New Board Members, Trudi Sofias and JoAnn Kersbergen. I look forward to having you with us as part of the 2009-2011 Arizona State Board.
My hope is to visit each of the courts during this term as your New State Regent. I promise to give you my best in everything I do. Please know that I am available to you at any time. Please keep me in your daily prayers as I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me and know that I pray daily for all the CDofA members in Arizona.
God Bless All of You, and I wish you a wonderful and safe summer
It was such a pleasure to meet so many of you at the State Convention.
Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers.
Never in my life did I ever imagine that I would retire to beautiful Arizona. I am sure many of you can also echo that thought.
I was born in England in September 1939. My mother blamed me for starting World War Two. I grew up in Birmingham England, graduating from High School in December 1954. I worked for the Birmingham City Council for eight years and then moved to Independence, Missouri, USA in 1962. From 1963 until 1990, I worked in the Insurance Business in Kansas City, Missouri. From 1992 to 1941, enjoyed being a tour guide at the Steam Boat Arabia Museum in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
My daughter Laura was born in 1972, and she is now married and lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and two-year old son Wyeth.
My husband John O'Reilly and I started wintering in Green Valley in 1997. After his death and a short time in England caring for my Dad, I decided that Green Valley would be home for me.
At that time, Betty Grogan came into my life and encouraged me to join Catholic Daughters of the Americas. I did in 2004 and shortly after became Regent for Court Queen of Peace. I served in that capacity for 4 years. In 2005, you elected me to the office of State Treasurer. During that time I was able to learn much more about our Order under the guidance of Past State Regent, Delma Araiza, whom I am proud to call a close friend.
Bill O'Shea and I were married at our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona, May 6, 2006.
I am looking forward to working with Susan and the other Board Members. We will be looking for your ideas and help during our term in Office.
May God Bless you all and bring good health to you and your families.
Hello to all my Catholic Daughters Friends,
I thank my past friends and am grateful for your support and encouragement during my nomination to the office of State Secretary and am looking forward to getting to know new friends.
Should you want to know me a bit, I will see if I can fill you in. I grew up in the mid west, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota. I attended College and nurses' training in Sioux City. I worked in various areas of nursing, emergency hospice, obstetrics, etc., most small hospitals work that way. I preferred gery to all the other experiences. Maybe office nursing would come as my second favorite in the search to a workable diagnosis.
My experience in the small church I attended in Iowa gave me various experiences in education coordinator and church director, as well as CDA and DDCW.
I was widowed suddenly at the age of 52 and found out how resourseful one needs to be in a hurry. I learned to cherish my relationship with God and the Blessed Mother and good friends who helped me cope with various needs. I look forward to working with our membership. Thank You again.
Catholic Daughter of the Year Chair,
Janice Swiebocki (Ct. Our Lady of
Guadalpe 2250, and the members
of her committee, did not have an
easy task in the selection of the
successful nominee. Per Janice,
all the ladies nominated were
excellent choices, unfortunately
only one can be selected. Nominee
selected was Eileen Esch, from
Court Our Lady of the Desert
No. 2164, Mesa. We congratulate Eileen for her devotion to her court and untiring efforts to serve our Lord. May God Bless her always!
Convention Contests and Raffle Winners
Scrapbook
ScrapBook Chair, Pat Bailon, Winslow, did an excellent job in judging the scrapbook contest. It was a very competitive contest. Only a few points separated them from the scrapbook winner. All the courts competing spent much time and much effort on their scrapbooks. The winning scrap book was prepared by Ct. Our Lady of Lourdes No. 2278, Sun City West. Congratulations to Joan Cosson and her ladies. Good Job Ladies! Courts are urged to start now with photo's and items for your scrapbooks. Be ready when our convention in 2011 convenes, with your courts scrapbook.
Newsletter
Newsletter Chair, Betty Grogan, Green Valley, was disappointed that the courts failed to get their newsletters to her on time. Regents, are reminded that it is their responsibility to submit the newsletters from the court to the Committee Chair by the deadline date. There are so many courts that have such good and informative newsletters. All courts are urged to start printing a newsletter for their court if you don't already have a newsletter. The winner of the newsletter contest was Ct. Our Lady of Guadalupe No. 2250 - Phoenix. Congratulations to Janice Swiebocki, Regent and Charlotte Williams, Newsletter Editor.
Summer is upon us, news around Arizona sparse, as Snowbirds have gone back home (East) to avoid the hot Arizona Summer. Our CDA Sisters and their families, are lounging on the beaches, boating, sea diving, fishing etc. Others are abroad, others our touring this beautiful country of ours, and due to the economy several are visiting local sites, within Arizona. There are however, a few courts who upon returning from our State Convention, had planned activities.
COURT OUR LADY OF LOURDES NO. 2278 - SUN CITY WEST
Joan Cosson, Regent, reports that over a hundred members and their spouses participated on Priest Appreciation Day, on May 24th. Mass was celebrated and a reception luncheon was held immediately following the mass. Five priests and two Deacons were honored.
COURT ST. ROSE OF LIMA NO. 2398 - SAFFORD
Vice Regent Carolyn Vessells and the members of Ct. 2398, just having returned from our state convention had time to plan a Priest Appreciation Luncheon for Fr. Thomas on June 7. Court members and their spouses and Fr. Thomas shared their meal at a local restaurant in Safford. The luncheon was very well attended. Regent Mercy Rivera and Secretary Ida Sainz presented outgoing State Regent Delma Araiza, with a beautiful hand made quilt, which court members had participated in the preparation of patterned blocks, which was then put together by Secretary Sainz. (ed note: My most sincere thanks to all of the ladies for the beautiful quilt. I Love it!)
Ct. St. Francis of Assisi No. 2221- Tucson
Phyllis Hall, Regent, and the members of her court hosted a Priest-Appreciation Pot-Luck Dinner at St. Joseph's Parish on June 1. Four (4) priests were honored, including Fr. John Alit, Fr. Miguel Mariano, Fr. Isaac Flynn, Fr. Bill Kohler and Deacon Oscar. Attending the Pot Luck also, were State Regent Delma Araiza, State Treasurer, Maureen O'Reilly/O'Shea, and State Secretary, Marilyn Witte. A newly started Project of the court is, that members are asked to bring a can of food or a non perishable item for the Local Food Bank. If you come to the meeting WITHOUT a food item, you are asked to make a monetary donation. On June 3, Court members delivered 104 pounds of food to the food bank, along with five monetary donations. Good Job Ladies!
Ct. St. Augustine No. 1227 -Tucson
Regent Alice Cavaletto reports their monthly Apache Gold Trip was a success. Court members are collecting items for Fr. Abran Tadeo's (State CDA Chaplain) 24/6 project. Many bags of clothing, pots, pans and toiletries have and are being collected. Do you have something you would like to donate to the cause? E-mail Delma, if you do. Regent Cavaletto, commends Genevieve Romero, Cecilia Cota Robles, Mary Trujillo, Stella Sanchez, Alice Munoz, Carmen Almazan, Trudi Sofias, and Delicia Reynolds for their participation in the CDA State 25th Biennial Convention held in Mesa, Az. on May 15-17, 2009. Kudos to Delicia Reynolds for the GREAT job she did as the State Convention Raffle Chairperson. Regent Cavaletto presented outgoing State Regent Delma Araiza with a beautiful religious statute on behalf and from court members at the convention's closing. (ed Note: Thank you All so very much for your generosity.)
Ct. Queen of Peace No. 2359 - Green Valley
Regent Audrey Miller has been called home to Chicago to be with her sister who is terminally ill. Please keep Audrey and her sister in your prayers during this difficult time. Members of her court continue to work diligently by collecting bed linens, towels, clothes, pots, pans and furniture for Fr. Abran's 24/6 "One day without Poverty" project. Several items have already been delivered for the project. The court's June 25 Apache Gold was a financial success. Court officers congratulate Maureen O'Reilly/O'Shea, on her election to the position of State 1st Vice Regent. They are sure that Maureen will make an excellent 1st Vice Regent. We are all asked to keep Betty Grogan, Past State Regent and National Representative in your prayers. She recently underwent knee surgery, and had to be readmitted to the hospital this past weekend. Please remember her husband Tom in your prayers as well, as he too is in the hospital.
"24/6 One Day Without Poverty Project"
Court Regents statewide are being asked to participate in the "24/6 project," which is being administered by State Chaplain Fr. Abran's Parish to provide food stuffs, (non perishable), clothing for adults and children, toiletries, linens, shoes, furniture, pots and pans. Items are distributed to people living in extreme poverty, here in Arizona and in Mexico. Won't you and your Court participate? Write or call Fr. Abran at 12101 Moore Rd, Marana, Az. 85653, or 520-682-3035 if you have goods they can come and pick up.
VOCATIONS
We are all aware of the need for priests in our Diocese in Phoenix, Tucson and Gallup. We urge your courts to support the Vocations Offices of the Dioceses. Ask your Diocesan Vocation office to assign a priest to your court if you do not now have one. Let us provide for our young Seminarians, and encourage them to answer our Lords call to serve. Pray for them and Pray for priests by going to this site: www.prayersforpriests.com
Newsletter
State Regent Susan Mone, has asked me to continue as Newsletter Editor. I have accepted the challenge. Please continue to send me the activities of your courts. Please submit stories and photo's to me, I would ask that you also submit a copy to Susan, as the newsletter will be hers to approve or disprove. Please keep her abreast of what is happening in your court.
District Deputies and State Committee Chairs
State Regent Susan Mone, has made her appointments for her first term of District Deputies, and of State Circle of Love Committee Chairs. She will inform you of her appointments in the weeks to come. People accepting Chairmanship run concurrent with her term(s) of office. (ed:Note..I commend those of you who have been asked to serve and have accepted. You will be a real source of information and assistance for her).
Prayers Needed
Please keep the following CDA Sisters, Family and friends in your prayers. Betty and Tom Grogan, Mary Trujillo, Francis and Angela Horkey, Socorro Delgado, Virginia Apodaca, Trudi and John Sofias, Janice Swiebocki, special intention for Charlotte Williams, Phyllis Benaglio, Peggy and Joe Agredano, Monique Hernandez, Maureen O'Reilly/O'Shea, Claudia Bosch, M. Joan McKenna.
Condolences
To State Regent Susan Mone, at the passing of her beloved uncle. Cards may be sent to her at 1530 N. Spring Circle, Mesa, Az 85
I have been a member of Catholic Daughters since April of 1976—First, as a member of Court St. Monica #1987 and recently as a transfer to Ct. St. Augustine #1227. I served with my wonderful ladies at St. Monica, as Regent, Vice Regent, Circle of Love coordinator and chairperson, and participated in numerous fundraisers and activities for our parish and Diocesan Vocations. I participated in the Pastoral Welcoming Committee, "Jammin for Jesus", Youth Days, Southwest Liturgical Conference, and numerous Memorial Services.
I was baptized in Newport RI., in 1958 at St. Henry's Church in Long Lake, NY. In 1961 our family moved to Tucson and we became members of St. John the Evangelist Church where I was a member of the Catholic Youth Organization and a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine teacher. Later as I attended the University of Arizona to pursue degrees in Education Counseling, Chemistry and Physics, I joined the Newman Center there. As a Catholic Daughter, I have attended many Local, State and National conferences and leadership seminars.
My life has always been Church, School and Family. I have been married to my husband John (almost 30 yrs), we have sons Bret, Brian, and Bucky and daughters Lori, Luce, Terrie and Lisa and grandchildren Lauren and Jaron and all will agree “service to others” is a family tradition, at home and abroad on a daily basis. God has greatly blessed our family, and I wish to thank all my Catholic Daughter Sisters for giving me the opportunity to serve as Arizona State Second Vice Regent.
Gratefully Yours in Christ,
Prayer to Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes
Before thee, O Mother of Christ, before your Immaculate Heart, I lift my heart today to join our Redeemer who wholly devoted himself to mankind, in order to regenerate us with his forgiveness and feed us with his Life. You united yourself, more than anyone else, to his offering for the salvation of the world. And you ask us, through the voice of Saint Bernadette, to accept this invitation to repentance, conversion, and prayer. May we not follow our own inclinations and forget your call.
Mother of mankind and nations, you who know all our sufferings and hopes, you who maternally knows our struggles between good and evil, between light and darkness, hear our prayer, come to the aid of your children in need. Now I will renew in Lourdes for the Church the prayer that I love to address to you in the great Marian shrines throughout the world. (?)
You yourself allowed Bernadette Soubirous to experience your gentle presence by giving her a message that echoes the words God has entrusted to the Church. The offering we make of ourselves before you, O Our Lady, should be the personal initiative of each individual, every family, every ecclesial community, and it is good to renew it in every generation, in the way that best expresses this offering of ourselves. (?)
O Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, obtain for our brothers and sisters (?) the gifts of the Holy Spirit, in order to renew the faith of these Christians and their communities, which I entrust to your Immaculate Heart, to your motherly love. Amen.
Excerpt of the Prayer of John Paul II, Lourdes, August 14, 1983
