CDA No. 1962 Attends Texas State Court 54th Biennial State Convention

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Texas State Court 54th Biennial State Convention was heldApril 2327, in Dallas with the theme being “Where God guides, He provides” Isaiah 58:11.

The 2023-2025 Texas State Officers presiding were State Regent Carolyn Ritchey of San Felipe, First Vice State Regent Mary Jane Albert of Houston, Second Vice State Regent Virginia Olsovsky of Flatonia, State Secretary Debbie Johnson of Pearland, and State Treasurer Janet Purdy of Weimar. Also present were State Parliamentarian Carolyn Malik of Shiner, State Chaplain Bishop Brendan J. Cahill of the Diocese of Victoria, Associate State Chaplain Deacon Ben Munguia of Sealy, and State Chaplain of Texas JCDA Msgr. John C. Peters of Weimar.

Attending from Court Annunciation No. 1962 were delegates: Regent Sherry Hebert, Financial Secretary Shirley Antosh, Treasurer Aimee Krause, Mary Lou Anderle who also serves as the State Spiritual Enhancement Chairman, Peggy Sulik, Elaine Bodine, Stacy Ryza, Elizabeth Kallus, Judy Evanicky, Kathy Weishuhn, and Rebecca Munsch. Also present were Cynthia Novak, State Ways and Means Co-Chairman; Peggy Supak, State Youth/ JCDA Co-Chairman; and Celeine Fabre, JCDA 2nd Vice President. Rosa Galipp of Schulenburg, District Deputy of District Eleven, which is comprised of Courts from La Grange, Schulenburg, Hostyn, Weimar, and Fayetteville that were all present, had many responsibilities especially during election voting.

The Opening Mass was at the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Wednesday, April 23, and thereafter at the hotel the daily Masses were the Memorial Mass; Red, White, and Blue Mass; Youth and JCDA Mass; and the Installation Mass. Coordinating all this was Mary Lou Anderle who also organized daily afternoon or evening prayer. Helping her with the various aspects of these were Shirley Antosh, Peggy Sulik, and Elaine Bodine. Also, on hand and helping were James Anderle, Ron Sulik, Gary Antosh, and James Bodine.

Kept very busy tending to her Ways and Means duties of a raffle, silent auction, and lucky lotto was Cynthia Novak. In addition to being present with the JCDA, Peggy Supak served on the resolutions and bylaws committee.

Awards were presented during the Thursday afternoon Business Session, namely, State Regent, Top 5 District Deputies, and Saint Bernardine. Honored to receive a “State Regent Award 20232025” from State Regent Carolyn Ritchey were Stacy Ryza and Elizabeth Kallus.

Fr. Chris Smith, Chaplain of Court Annunciation No. 1962, was able to enjoy an evening meal with most of those attending from La Grange during their free night on Thursday, while the three state chairmen attended a Leadership Appreciation Banquet.

Early morning voting took place on Friday for the 20252027 State Officers and the nominating committee. Newly elected and installed officers are as follows: State Regent Mary Jane Albert, First Vice State Regent Virginia Olsovsky, Second Vice State Regent Melissa Gonzalez of McAllen, State Secretary Janet Purdy, and State Treasurer Christine Maniscalco of Spring. The new State Regent’s theme is “I will bless the Lord at all times” Psalm 34-1; her new chosen charity is Tunnels to Towers; and the next Texas State Convention will be held April 7-11, 2027, in Dallas.

Friday’s themed evening event was “The Roaring Twenties, Welcome to the Purple Palace Casino Fun Night;” and Saturday evening was the Formal Banquet.

During the state convention the Past Regents Club met, and its luncheon took place at noon on Friday. Court Annunciation No. 1962 Past Regents who enjoyed the camaraderie were Stacy Ryza, Elizabeth Kallus, Cynthia Novak, Judy Evanicky, Mary Lou Anderle, and Shirley Antosh.

The awards packets were given to the Regents and Court Annunciation No. 1962 won several awards. Circle of Love, Category V (126+ members): First place in Family, Education, and JCDA; Second place in Legislation and Youth; Third place in Quality of Life, Spiritual Enhancement, and Leadership. Other awards, First Place in Established Website, Memorial Scholarship Fund donations in Category V, and JCDA Local Court Newsletter in Category IX-Division II; Second place CDA Local Court Newsletter in Category V-Division I; and Third place for Respect Life report with pictures.

Court sponsored winners on the State level in the National Education Contest were as follows: Division I – Second place in Poetry and Third place in Essay, Helen Streiff; Second place in Computer Art, Ethan Scott. Division II – Second place in Art, Makenna Emmel; Second place in Photography, Aby Garza. Division III – Third place in Art, Ella Nygren; Second place in Poetry, Madison Markwardt; Second place in Photography, Jaylia Lucio. Division IV – Third place in Photography, Sophia Solorzano.

Forty-three Texas State Court Memorial Scholarships of various amounts were awarded to graduating high school seniors, and four winners were sponsored by Court Annunciation No. 1962, namely, Mackenzie Kates $1,750, Celeine Fabre $1,500, Ely Glisson $1,000, and Joel Orlando Solorzano $1,000.