Court Our Lady of Faith No. 2607 at St. Mary’s in Frydek sent Regent Doris Sodolak and Treasurer Betty Jo Mazac to the Catholic Daughters of the Americas 51st Biennial State Convention on May 2-5 in McAllen.
Several hundreds of ladies and clergy attended the event. The purposes of the organization are to participate in the religious, charitable and educational apostolates of the church.
Opening mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan de Valle was offered by Most Reverend Daniel E. Flores, Bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville.
CDA national, state and local officers processed in their robes prior to mass. Choral music was provided by The University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley University Choir.
“Be Not Afraid!” – St. John Paul the Great was the chosen theme of the convention. Texas State Regent Rosie Stockwell of Edinburg called the opening session to order followed by opening prayer by Rev. Gregory Labus, state chaplain, CDA National Regent Olga Samaniego of El Paso and welcome from the McAllen dignitaries.
Business meetings and workshops continued throughout the next three days.
Clergy luncheon and Past Regents Club of Texas luncheons were held on Friday at noon. Fun night “A Night in Old Mexico” was held Friday night and the banquet took place Saturday night.
State awards were announced with Court Our Lady of Faith 2607 in Frydek earning first place in Newsletter, first place in Circle of Love – Youth, third place in Scrapbook contest, and was recognized for participating in the Read Across America program.
In the Education contest, Ariel Burton took first place in Art – Division III; Cameron Eschenburg placed third in Computer Art – Division III and Anita Konvicka earned first place in Computer Art – Division IV. First place winners advance to Nationals.
CDA State Scholarships were awarded to Hunter Havel and Conley Grimet.
Elected as state officers for 2019-2021 term include: State Regent Melodie Brunt of Texarkana, First Vice State Regent Rebecca Brown of Angleton; Second Vice State Regent Carolyn Ritchey of Sealy, State Secretary Terrie Vacek of The Woodlands, State Treasurer Virginia Olsovsky of Flatonia, and Rev. Justin Braun, state chaplain, of Texarkana.