CDA No. 1962 Meets Sept. 23, Installs New 2024-2025 Officers

Court Annunciation No. 1962 of La Grange and Plum members and some husbands attended the 60th Biennial National Convention held at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside on Aug. 13-18.

The colorful procession of Officers at the National, State, and Chapter Level wearing different color ceremonial robes signifying their Office processed behind the Most Reverend Archbishop Gregory Michael Aymond and the Priests for the Opening Mass. Daily Masses were offered and well attended. Besides the various Workshops and daily Business Sessions, our members enjoyed joining spouses for lunch and evening dinners, attending the Texas State Night aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen for a two-hour Mississippi River Cruise and Buffet Dinner. We donned Mardi Gras attire, beads and masks for the Louisiana Friday Fun Night.

Catholic Daughters of the Americas National Award winners were announced and Court Annunciation No. 1962 member, Stacy Ryza, was awarded the prestigious Saint Faustina Award by the National Officers. It is given to a member who plays a major role in developing the Court and increasing membership. Stacy Ryza was a Texas nominee, and from all the Courts within the State of Texas, she advanced and won at the National Level. Other National Level Awards for members of our Court were announced and awarded by our Court at the September meeting included: Education Contest: Photography Div. III—1st Place: Jaylia Lucio; Photography Div. IV—1st Place: Robin Zapalac. Our local JCDA Court won 1st Place in the National Newsletter Contest.

Both the Aug. 26 and Sept. 23 meetings were held at the Sacred Heart Parish Msgr. Harry Mazurkiewicz Center. Regent, Sherry Hebert called the August meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. with prayers from the State Quarterly Intentions and for our dearly departed members. The Charter was draped in black for remembrance of the deceased members Barbara Brauner, Michelle Recek, Delores Guenther Vacek, and Bessie Hoffman. The Charter was again draped in black at the Sept. 23 meeting for remembrance of the deceased members Nancy Belota and Linda Winkler.

Father Chris Smith, the new CDA Court Chaplain, was guest speaker at the September meeting and helped us get to know him a little better as the new priest for Sacred Heart Church and School. Father Chris grew up in College Station, was active at St. Mary’s Catholic Center and Aggie Awakening Retreats while attending Texas A & M University. He was ordained in 2020 after which he pastored at a Catholic Church and k-12 school in Waco.

Father Chris fielded questions as well as comments from our members by asking us what we would like to see for our church and community giving him a better understanding of how to best serve our needs and those of our neighbors.

Catholic Daughters of the Americas goals are Unity and Charity. The monthly business meetings report on the volunteerism of the JCDA members and members of our Court whom they select each month to assist them with games and 38 Goodie Bags to the residents of Jefferson Place Assisted Living. Our Court’s fundraising efforts help to donate to a variety of Charities recommended at the National, State, and local levels. Furthermore, Local & Memorial Scholarships are awarded each year to seniors at the annual Anniversary and Family Dinner. This year’s 59th Annual Anniversary Dinner will be held on April 6, 2025 at the Knights of Columbus Center in La Grange.

The Court meetings reflect the reports given by Officers and Chairpersons of activities and involvement in the different categories of the CDA Circle of Love Program. The purpose of the Circle of Love Program is to connect the women of CDA within their local churches and communities. The program consists of seven categories: education, family, leadership, legislation, quality of life, spiritual enhancement, and youth – in order to achieve this goal. Circle of Love allows for flexibility of programming to meet each court’s needs, including getting involved with projects at the national and state levels as was voted on at the National CDA Convention. Because the National Court recently elected new National Officers in August at the Convention, the annual Education Contest Information that is usually provided in September will be announced the month of October by the National Court.

The Court’s upcoming calendar of events includes: National CDA Day Proclamation signing Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. at Council Chambers; Candlelight Rosary Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. before 6:30 p.m. Prayer Service; National CDA Day Oct. 20, 9 a.m. Mass, Reception of new members follows; WRAP (White Ribbon Against Pornography) Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. on the Square; Financial Review at 4:15 p.m. before the Oct. 28 meeting at Sacred Heart Center; CDA meeting Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. program with CASA, Kristi Bauer. Collection items: gift cards, diapers, wipes, any size clothing, or board games for birth to 18; Memorial Mass on Nov. 12 at Plum (Host: Hostyn CDA) 6 p.m. Rosary, 6:30 p.m. Program; Pork Steak & Sides Drive-Thru Dinner Fundraiser Tuesday, Nov. 19.

CDA Meeting Nov. 25 “Christmas At Seafor Seafarers” Collection of assorted small toiletries; No CDA Meeting in December; KC/CDA Christmas Party and Raffle Sunday, Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. with social and dinner follows; Dec. 9: Cookies for Homebound, bagging at the Narthex, drop-off 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Giddings State School Christmas Party to be determined; Bunco Fundraiser, Feb. 2, 2025 at the KC Hall; 59th Anniversary & Family Dinner April 6, 2025.