47th Biennial Texas State 2011 Convention
by Terrie Vacek
2011 Walk/Run Participants
Ninety four (94) CDA members were off and running when the whistle blew for the second annual Walk Run M.O.M. event at 6:30 A.M. Sunday. 1st Place winner (running two miles) was Victoria Rocha crossing the finish line just before 2nd Place winner, her mother, Yvonne Rocha, Regent of Court Archangels of St. Michael’s #2618, Uhland. Among those crossing the finish line were JCDA State President Maya Cuellar, State Regent Sheila Martinka and Immediate Past National Regent Libby Ramirez. Participants picked which of the nine State Charities they wanted to support. The event raised a total of $6,537.65! Certificates were given to courts for the Most Registered Walkers, Most Monetary Donations, and the Most Actual Walkers.
Resolutions & Bylaw and Courtesy committee reports were given. Scrapbook and Education Contest winners were announced. Scrapbook Chairman Lisa Jewell, Seabrook, presented a two year, Texas-size State Regents Memory Book to her sister, State Regent Sheila Martinka adding that ”it is a book filled with a lot of love for you, and from you”.
A huge round of applause filled the room as the donations for the State Memorial Scholarship Fund registered a record high of $35,200.00. Each Scholarship recipient was announced: Eleven $500.00 scholarships, Fourteen $800.00 scholarships, fifteen $1,000.00 scholarships, one $1,500.00 Scholarship to Corrinne Mica JCDA member of Court Saint Bernadette #1108, East Bernard, and one $2,000.00 scholarship to Alexander Villarreal sponsored by Court Our Lady of Mt. Carmel #1993, Edinburg.
In the message from the State Regent Elect, Carolyn Malik stated that “I want each one of us to re-evaluate our priorities and ensure that God is first in our lives; thus furthering the works of our order. We are a great organization that provides our membership the opportunity to perform the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy through the National Circle of Love program. ‘The world listens to witnesses not to teachers.’ Spirituality should be number one in our courts.
We will continue to work with our brother Knights on the state level in the development of new courts. It is my hope to begin the construction of a fifth Habitat for Humanity house during this term. I would like to propose that each court adopt one project a year or a term to center on the youth and/or family in the parish and community to encourage growth in our present membership. Of course, sponsoring a JCDA court is a great means of involving our youth, and generally the mothers will join the CDA. We need the youth in our organization to continue to grow and to sustain our membership.
I plan to appoint a State Ceremonial Coordinator to assist our local courts with planning their ceremonies and assisting them with proper protocol for color guards and honor guards. In each issue of the State newsletter, we will have an article related to a specific woman’s health issue to keep our membership informed. I will encourage you to stand for life and to continue to pray for an end to abortion. We need to be seen supporting this program. I plan to name a state chairman to write articles in the state newsletter to provide information to the local courts on activities, special prayers and website information. I have chosen “COME, BE MY LIGHT” for my theme for the next two years which are the words Jesus spoke to Blessed Mother Teresa on September 10, 1946 while she was discerning her call to work for the poor. We, too, as Catholic Daughters of the Americas, should discern and answer Christ’s call to be His Light to the poor, to the elderly, to the youth, to the sick, and especially to each other as fellow sisters of Christ. Mother Teresa continued to hear “The Voice” within her until she answered his call. We must continue to pray and allow the Holy Spirit to take control of our minds and souls so that we too can hear “The Voice” and allow ourselves to discern our call to ‘Come, Be My Light’. We can do something beautiful for God. We can be the little pencils in the hand of God.”
The bid for the 2015 convention came from Mary Rutherford, Round Rock, to be held in the Austin area. Courts in the San Antonio/ Shiner area presented a humorous and well executed skit as the invitation to the 2013 State Convention.
Ways & Means chairman, Cynthia Novak reported that the proceeds for the 2011 Convention raffle were $17,275.00. Congratulations to Texas for your outstanding support. Delegates cast their vote three times Saturday for a winner in the three-way race for State Treasurer. Sunday morning, the election committee announced Melodie Brunt as the 2011-2013 State Treasurer. Newly Elected State Officers proudly pose for a photo following the Passing of the Robe Ceremony organized by National Director, Olga Samaniego.
Reverend Bob Knippenberg, Shiner was the celebrant for the Installation Mass. Participating as Lectors were State Regent Elect Carolyn Malik; First Vice State Regent Elect Peggy Rosales; and Second Vice State Regent Elect Eve Trevino. The newly elected State Board served as Gift Bearers.