Catholic Daughters of the Americas Hold 60th Biennial National Convention

God and Country Day at the CDA National Convention in New Orleans where all attendees wore red, white, and blue. Delegates and alternates from Court Annunciation No. 1962 were from left, Elizabeth Kallus, Jane Lewis, Elaine Bodine, Sherry Hebert, Cynthia Novak, Shirley Antosh, Stacy Ryza, Mary Lou Anderle, Marilyn Kothmann, and Peggy Sulik. Theme for Friday Fun Night at the CDA National Convention in New Orleans was Mardi Gras. Enjoying the evening from Court Annunciation No. 1962 were members and their spouses. Pictured (kneeling, from left) are Jane Lewis, Cynthia Novak, (standing) Ronnie and Peggy Sulik, James and Mary Lou Anderle, Sherry and Mark Hebert, Shirley and Gary Antosh, Elaine and James Bodine, Marilyn Kothmann, and Elizabeth Kallus. The National St. Faustina Awards were presented at the Catholic Daughters National Convention to members instrumental in increasing membership in their State. The State Court of Texas nominated Stacy Ryza of La Grange as their recipient, and she attended the convention and received the award. From left, Essie Walker of Matthews, North Carolina, First Vice National Regent; Stacy Ryza of Court Annunciation No. 1962 of La Grange; Brenda Anderson of Roscoe, South Dakota, National Director; Emily Guilherme of Corona, California, National Regent.

Sixteen-hundred members of The Catholic Daughters of the Americas gathered in New Orleans from Aug. 14-17 for their 60th Biennial National Convention to elect national leaders and conduct new business. The CDAwas formed in 1903 and now one of the largest organizations of Catholic women in the Americas.

Court Annunciation No. 1962 La Grange had ten members attend. Serving as delegates were Sherry Hebert, Regent; Marilyn Kothmann, Vice Regent; Shirley Antosh, Financial Secretary; Mary Lou Anderle, Local and State Spiritual Enhancement Chairman; Cynthia Novak, Local Parliamentarian and State Ways and Means Co-Chairman; and Peggy Sulik. Alternates attending were Stacy Ryza, Elizabeth Kallus, Elaine Bodine, and Jane Lewis.

Stacy Ryza was one of the CDA members who received the prestigious St. Faustina Membership and Court Development Award during a business session on Aug. 17. The St. Faustina Award is given to Catholic Daughters who have been instrumental in increasing membership in each state. Stacy was the Texas State Court nominee from all courts and members within the State of Texas. She has been a Catholic Daughter Member since March 19, 1972, and has held many officer and chairman positions on the local level including Regent, and Membership Chairman for many years; has served as District 11 Deputy; and served one term as State Treasurer. It is a great honor to have Court Annunciation No. 1962 member Stacy Ryza recognized at the National Level for her commitment to increasing membership in the Catholic Daughters.

Other CDA National Awards were presented and in the National Education Contest the following award winners were sponsored by Court Annunciation No. 1962: Division III (grades 9, 10,11,12), First Place in Photography, Jaylia Lucio; and Division IV (adult CDA members), First Place in Photography, Robin Zapalac. The Court Annunciation No. 1962 Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas won First Place in Local Court Newsletters, Category IX, Division II.

The organization elected a new National Board, voted on new resolutions and bylaws, presented donations to CDA National projects and charities, and celebrated beautiful liturgies, namely, Opening Mass, Memorial Mass, God and Country Mass, and Mass where the installation of the newly elected National Board took place.

The convention Keynote Speaker was Johnette Williams who hosts EWTNs Women of Grace, an appropriate choice for a national organization of Catholic women.

The Convention theme, “Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed,” has been the guiding principle of National Regent Emily Guilherme’s two-year tenure. This theme, referenced in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, emphasizes the power and potential of even the smallest amount of faith. In her remarks she said, “Conventions are a time for learning, sharing, and networking. We will have the opportunity to make new friends and greet those we know from previous conventions, share ideas, goals, and activities with Catholic Daughters from other courts.”

In a letter welcoming the Catholic Daughters to New Orleans, Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans, wrote: “By living your mission and integrating your two-fold purpose of ‘spirituality and service,’ you bring Christ to others, helping to heal and transform our broken world, beginning in our families, parishes, and communities. By your love, compassion support and sacrifices Christ is made visible and experienced.”

The newly elected National Regent Susan Mone from Mesa, Arizona, announced the theme for her upcoming two-year term, “Be a Beacon of Hope, A Light in the Darkness”. The next National Convention will be held in Iowa in 2026.