46th Biennial Texas State 2009 Convention
Feature story and photos by Terrie Vacek
Doors to the convention floor closed Saturday at 8:10 A.M. for elections with a voting strength of 527. The five (5) members elected to the Nominating Committee are Lydia Ruiz, Chairman; Mary Jane Albert; Theresa Wagner; Vernell Kasper; and Christine Kuhn.
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L-R Duchess Collins, National Director, Sugar Land; Eve Trevino, State Secretary Elect, Corpus Christi; Carolyn Malik, First Vice State Regent Elect, Shiner; Sheila Martinka, State Regent Elect, Houston; Peggy Rosales, Second Vice State Regent Elect, Austin; Minnie Rodgers, State Treasurer Elect, Mission. |
Elected as the 2009-2011 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.
Following her talk on the Miracle of Answered Prayer, Terrie Vacek, State Scrapbook and Public Relations Chairman presented a two year photo album and Texas size State Regents Scrapbook to Worthy State Regent Carolyn Bachmann.
Celebrant and homilist for the Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas Celebration of the Eucharist was Reverend John Peters, State JCDA Chaplain for twenty five (25) years. Reverend Peters 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. State JCDA officers and JCDA State Chairman, Terri Beltran, #2275 El Campo were gift bearers.
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L-R Laura Aguilar State Reporter, El Campo #2275; Ashley Stilley, State 2nd V-Pres, Sealy #1616; Terri Beltran, JCDA State Chairman, El Campo; Sarah Ornelas, 1st State Vice President, Baytown #2197; Beth Krenek, State President, East Bernard #1108; Reverend John Peters, State JCDA Chaplain, Hallettsville. |
Included in the various reports were Credentials, State Treasurer, Resolutions and State Regent. Regent Bachmann presented many of the highlights of her term in the Regents Report including the addition of two new districts that were created with district deputies assigned geographically facilitating multi-district meetings, joint officers’ training workshops, and multi-district retreats.
Members attending the JCDA State Convention in Wichita Falls experienced the worst flood in its history. The Houston Organizational meeting was a training workshop for the newly appointed State Chairmen and District Deputies. There were 16 Officers Training Workshops presented, most were multi-district, with 1032 attending and all 56 districts participating. The Habitat for Humanity build in Wichita Falls was the joint dream of two administrations and the greatest highlight of the 2007-2009 term. The State Board purchased a new server with enough memory to run all the state’s increasing business.
To welcome and honor Libby Ramirez, our 2008-2010 National Regent, the Texas State Board hosted her Reception in Corpus Christi. The Spiritual Enhancement State Chairman, Olga Samaniego, presented thirteen (13) CDA retreats and one JCDA retreat. Forty-two (42) districts attended these multi-district retreats with over 1,000 members in attendance.
The Texas State Board voted to donate funds to build a home designated as the Texas CDA home and became a part of the International Habitat for Humanity Lenten Build outside Mexico City, Mexico. Catholic Daughters of the Americas funded the build for four of the 10 homes built south of Mexico City in Pahuacan and Ayapanga.
At the Knights of Columbus State Convention, Bachmann presented Knights a challenge to encourage increased membership in CDA. One Knight accepted the challenge becoming instrumental in the institution of a new court.
Members of the State Board attended one 25 year Anniversary, one 35 year, one 39 year, three 40 year, four 50 year, two 55 year, one 80 year, one 85 year, and one 90 year celebration. The oldest court in Texas, Maria Galante #115, will celebrate 100 years in 2009.
The State Board took on two more state projects for this term. Covenant House of Texas in Houston, is a new Missions of Mercy (MOM) project that will help keep the youth and displaced from living on the streets. The State Board developed a Texas Disaster Relief Fund that will help provide for the immediate needs of members who are suffering.
By the donations of Texas CDA local courts and participation in the Memorial Scholarship Fund, Texas CDA has given over $207,000.00 to charities and scholarships.
Regent Bachmann concluded her report by saying, “You have given of yourselves not only monetarily but also physically and emotionally to so many across the state and, indeed, across the nation and world. Many have felt your love and the love of God through your hard work. May God bless you and may you always remember, ‘Together We Are Strong’.”
Technology played a large part in the efficiency of award presentations. State Regent Elect, Sheila Martinka presented the winners of the following programs on large overhead screens; Spiritual Enhancement, Quality of Life, National Charitable Projects, Legislation, Education, Leadership, Youth/JCDA, Education Contest Winners, Memorial Scholarship, Newsletter, Membership, Scrapbook, Read Across America, and Website.
Regent Bachmann presented the Top Five District Deputy Awards to Gennie Loggins, DD #9, Highlands; Vernell Kasper, DD #19, Houston; Carolyn Rapsilver, DD #28 San Felipe; Barbara Britton, DD #40, San Antonio; and Elva I. Pena, DD #48, Corpus Christi.
The St. Bernadine of Siena Court Development Awards were presented by State Regent Elect, Sheila Martinka to Barbara Britton and Valeria Brandt for Daughters of Our Lady of Fatima #2596; Mary Jane Albert and Duchess Collins for Court of the Holy Family #2597; Vicki Gonzales and Alicia Rodriguez for Sisters of Pauline #2605; Carolyn Rapsilver for Our Lady of Fatima #2607; Jane Savoy for Court Salve Regina #2611; Barbara Britton and Francesca Garcia for Belles’ of St. Mary’s #2615 (Campus Court); Peggy Rosales and Sirene Brunell for Court Archangels of St. Michael’s #2618; Dorothy Villarreal and Diana Garcia for Daughters of St. Joseph #2619; Peggy Rosales, Connie Bulat and Kristen Golla for Protector of Families #2621; and Jordan Chipley for Stephen F. Austin State University #2622 (Campus Court). Ten (10) new courts were instituted with another expected in May and five (5) new JCDA Courts instituted with the sixth on May 2nd. Texas is growing!
A presentation on the following State Projects was given on Missions of Mercy, Texas Habitat for Humanity, Mexico Habitat Build, Juarez Mission School, and Texas Disaster Relief. One resolution was presented and approved. Ten Bylaw Amendments were presented and adopted.
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| L-R Debbie Guthman, Financial Secretary #1108, Patricia Michulka, Treasurer #1108. |
State Chaplain Reverend 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 of 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 Tators into “Sweet Taters”!
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Past Regents L-R Carolyn Bachmann, Scotland; Olga Samaniego, El Paso; Duchess Collins, Sugar Land; Libby Ramirez, Victoria; Amy Rueda, El Paso; Eunice Perusic, Houston; Cecina Koeijmans, Dallas; Margaret Cutbirth, Crosby. Dee Scheetz, Austin; Eleanor Trainer of Houston and Dolly Pena of Laredo were present for the photo. |
State Chaplain Reverend Ruppert gave the invocation at the Saturday night Formal Banquet “Together We Celebrate”. Sheila Martinka served as Mistress of Ceremonies. Music was provided by Jazz Voyage. Jim Collins, Texas Knights of Columbus State Treasurer shared a message of congratulations from the State Council. Libby Ramirez, National Regent shared remarks and greetings from the National Board. The guest speaker was Scott Walsh sharing his message on motherhood and the Blessed Mother. He stated, “that through CDA, women discover a new identity, one that has been given by God and we should be that image to the world.”
State Regent Bachmann presented State Regent awards to Susan Walton, Teresa Maltbia, Rose Patek, Peggy Rosales, and Olga Samaniego. Martinka presented State Regent Bachmann with her State Past Regent ring. The benediction was given by JCDA State Chaplain Reverend Peters.