CDA No. 1962 Holds Its 60th Anniversary Family Dinner, Awards and Presentations

Past & Present National, State, and Local Officers, seated from left, Dutchess Collins, Past National Director and State Regent; Virginia Olsovsky, State Regent; Debbie Johnson, Second Vice State Regent; Janet Purdy, State Secretary; Christine Maniscalco, State Treasurer; Carolyn Malik, Past National Director and State Regent; Sheila Martinka, Past State Regent; Melodie Brunt, Past State Regent; Rosie Stockwell, National Director and Past State Regent. Standing from left, District Deputy No. 11 Rosa Galipp, Court: Annunciation #1962 Officers Sherry Hebert, Regent; Marilyn Kothmann, Vice Regent; Carolyn Weishuhn, Recording Secretary; Shirley Antosh, Financial Secretary; Aimee Krause, Treasurer; and Fr. Chris Smith, Chaplain. Court Annunciation No. 1962 Education Contest winners were announced and awarded prizes. Seated from left, Helen Streiff, Colin Hamrick, Hazel Gaertner, Zaylee Gilbreath, Sophie Janda, Adalyn Emmel, Parker J. Hatfield, Ava Wied, Blake Markwardt. Standing from left, Fr. Chris Smith, Bohen Schielack, Cade Harbers, Nova Wennermark, Krislee Kallus, Regent Sherry Hebert, State Regent Virginia Olsovsky, Hallie Gross, Chezni Berdoll, Malee Kleiber, Ella Nygren, and Education Contest Chairman Dr. Regina Wagner. Unable to attend were Ethan Scott, Marley Vasek, and Melinda Dunk. Eight ladies pledged membership during the reception of new members. Court Annunciation No. 1962 welcomed, seated from left, Suzanne Wright, Kennedy Brooks, Christine Hausmann, Peggy Madison, Eleonor Gonzales, Victoria Morales, Emily Grissom, and Marissa Navarro. Standing from left, Membership Chairman and Vice Regent Marilyn Kothmann, Fr. Chris Smith, Regent Sherry Hebert, and State Regent Virginia Olsovsky. Seated from left, Rosa Galipp, District Deputy No. 11; State Chairmen - State Youth and JCDA Co-Chairmen, Peggy Supak and Linsay Tomlinson; State Spiritual Enhancement Chairman, Mary Lou Anderle; State Ways & Means Co-Chairmen Cynthia Novak and Darice Miksch; and JCDA 1st Vice State President Elena Supak. Standing from left, Court Annunciation No. 1962 Officers, Fr. Chris Smith, Chaplain; Sherry Hebert, Regent; Marilyn Kothmann, Vice Regent; Carolyn Weishuhn, Recording Secretary; Shirley Antosh, Financial Secretary; Aimee Krause, Treasurer; and State JCDA Chaplain Msgr. John Peters. District Deputies seated from left, Rosa Galipp, District No. 11; Kathleen Svatek, District No. 30; Evelyn Orange, District No. 37; Imelda Tovar, District No. 44; and Susie Saenz, District No. 57. Standing from left, Virginia Olsovsky, State Regent; Court Annunciation No. 1962 Officers, Sherry Hebert, Regent; Marilyn Kothmann, Vice Regent; Carolyn Weishuhn, Recording Secretary; Shirley Antosh, Financial Secretary; Aimee Krause, Treasurer; and Fr. Chris Smith, Chaplain. Standing from left, Rosa Galipp, District Deputy No. 11, and Guest Officers from District No. 11, Sarah Koehl, Regent and Barbara Mach, Recording Secretary, Queen of the Holy Rosary No. 2282, Hostyn; Grace Lebeda, Regent, Court St. Rose No. 1597, Schulenburg; Joan Prihoda, Vice Regent, Court St. Michael No. 559, Weimar; and not pictured, Donna Shula, Regent and Susan Pauler, Treasurer, Court Fr. Chromcik No. 1440, Fayetteville. Seated from left, Virginia Olsovsky, State Regent; Court Annunciation No. 1962 Officers, Sherry Hebert, Regent; Marilyn Kothmann, Vice Regent; Carolyn Weishuhn, Recording Secretary; Shirley Antosh, Financial Secretary; Aimee Krause, Treasurer; and Fr. Chris Smith, Chaplain.

Court Annunciation No. 1962, Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA), celebrated its 60th Anniversary on Sunday, April 19, with close to 400 in attendance at the La Grange KC Community Center. Members and their families and many special guests enjoyed the social hour beginning at 3:30 p.m. that featured a looping slideshow and trifold exhibit boards filled with photos of past events. The hall was beautifully decorated with touches of elegance creating a very special atmosphere. Attendees received 60th Anniversary keepsake booklets filled with past and present information.

The Welcome was given by Mistress of Ceremonies, Regent Sherry Hebert. She reflected on how the programs and activities of the Court touch the lives of so many fulfilling the CDA motto of “Unity and Charity”.

The Invocation and Blessing of the Meal were given by Court Chaplain Rev. Fr. Chris Smith, followed by a dinner of roast beef, brown gravy, mashed potatoes, vegetable blend, homemade bread, tea and coffee. The Junior Catholic Daughters assisted people with their dinner plates. A CDA decorated centerpiece cake was surrounded by other cakes, and all were served for dessert.

After dinner, the Pledges of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag and Texas Flag were led by Regent Hebert, followed by the singing the of CDA Opening Ode led by Spiritual Enhancement Chairman Mary Lou Anderle. Introduced by Regent Hebert were the persons seated at the head table, namely, State JCDA Chaplain Rev. Msgr. John Peters from Weimar, Court Chaplain Rev. Fr. Chris Smith from Sacred Heart Parish in La Grange, Rev. Frs. Eddie Winkler and Paul Appiah-Otchere from Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Hostyn and Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Plum, Transitional Deacon Cameron Kologinzak at Sacred Heart Parish, State Regent Virginia Olsovsky of Flatonia, and Court officers, Vice Regent Marilyn Kothmann and husband Jim, Recording Secretary Carolyn Weishuhn and husband James, Financial Secretary Shirley Antosh and husband Gary, Treasurer Aimee Krause, herself, Regent Sherry Hebert and husband Mark.

Also recognized were Deacon Kyle Janda and wife Katie and family from Sacred Heart Parish in La Grange, Deacon John McCourt and wife Eileen from the neighboring parishes in Plum and Hostyn, CDA National Director and Past State Regent Rosie Stockwell of Edinburg, Second Vice State Regent Debbie Johnson of Pearland, State Secretary Janet Purdy of Weimar, and State Treasurer Christine Maniscalco of Cypress.

District Deputies introduced were from District No. 11 Rosa Galipp of Schulenburg, No. 30 Kathleen Svatek and husband Martin of Flatonia, No. 37 Evelyn Orange of Alleyton, No. 44 Imelda Tovar of Round Rock, and No. 57 Susie Saenz of Falfurrias.

State Chairmen acknowledged were State Youth/JCDA Co-Chairmen Peggy Supak of La Grange and Linsay Tomlinson of Round Rock, State Spiritual Enhancement Chairman Mary Lou Anderle and husband James of La Grange, State Ways and Means Co-Chairmen Darice Miksch of Columbus and Cynthia Novak and guest David Poncik of La Grange.

The Past State Regents of Texas had been invited and those present were recognized as such plus their other past and present accolades were announced, namely, Duchess Collins of Richmond, Sheila Martinka of Victoria, Carolyn Malik of Shiner, and Melodie Brunt and husband Bill of Texarkana.

Court Annunciation No. 1962 is one of five Courts that makes up District No. 11, and guests from the other four Courts were introduced, namely, Court St. Michael No. 559 Weimar, Vice Regent Joan Prihoda and Bernice Schoenfeld; Court Fr. Chromcik No. 1440 Fayetteville, Regent Donna Shula and Treasurer Susan Pauler; Court St. Rose No. 1597 Schulenburg, Regent Grace Lebeda; and Court Queen of the Holy Rosary No. 2282 Hostyn, Regent Sarah Koehl and Recording Secretary Barbara Mach. Also, Sharon Kay Roensch was a guest from District No. 37, Court St. Roch of Mentz No. 2328.

And lastly, Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas (JCDA) State officer, 1st Vice State President Elena Supak of La Grange was recognized.

The program then focused on Court Annunciation No. 1962 membership, beginning with a Reception of New CDA members. Membership Chairman Marilyn Kothmann thanked the membership committee and continued by presenting the eight candidates, welcoming Kennedy Brooks, Christine Hausmann, Eleonor Gonzales, Emily Grissom, Peggy Madison, Victoria Morales, Marissa Navarro, and Susanne Wright. Administering the CDA membership pledge was Regent Hebert.

Financial Secretary Antosh spoke about the Court’s history stating that the Institution of Court Annunciation No. 1962 took place on March 23, 1966, with thirty-six Charter Members. She recognized the four living Charter Members while Regent Hebert presented gifts of appreciation to Lorine Bertsch and Doris Lidiak. Unable to attend were Marian “Polly” Supak and Anna Mae Hajovsky. After Sixty Years of prayers and dedication, Court Annunciation No. 1962 has over 333 members serving the Lord.

Next, pins were presented for milestone years of membership. Regent Hebert thanked the ladies for their loyalty and named the recipients while State Regent Olsovsky and Vice Regent Kothmann presented the special pins: twenty-five years to Jennifer Sanders and fifty-years to Claudean Saunders. Unable to attend was fifty-year recipient Delphine Rohan.

The local winners in the CDA National Education Contest were announced by Court Annunciation No. 1962 Education Contest Chairman Dr. Regina Walker, while Ramona Glisson presented the certificates and monetary prizes for 1st place $20, 2nd place $15, and 3rd place $10 to the excited recipients. The winning entries were on display, and the Contest themes were “The Least of These” Matthew 25:40 and “The Least of These: Lifting Others Up”. The first-place entries were sent for judging at the CDA State level.

The local Education Contest Winners: Division 1 (Grades 4-5): Essay – 1st Colin Hamrick, 2nd Hazel Gaertner, 3rd Zaylee Gilbreath; Poetry – 1st Bohen Schielack, 2nd Cade Harbers, 3rd Nova Wennermark; Art – 1st Parker J. Hatfield, 2nd Ava Wied, 3rd Blake Markwardt; Computer Art – 1st Ethan Scott. Division 2 (Grades 6-78): Essay – 1st Helen Streiff, 2nd Sophie Janda; Poetry – 1st Sophie Janda, 2nd Chezni Berdoll, 3rd Hallie Gross; Art – 1st Marley Vasek, 2nd Sophie Janda, 3rd Adalyn Emmel; Photography – 1st Helen Streiff, 2nd Adalyn Emmel, 3rd Krislee Kallus. Division 3 (Grades 9-10-11-12): Poetry – 1st Ella Nygren, 2nd Malee Kleiber. Division 4 (Adult CDA Members): Poetry, Art, Photography – 1st Melinda Dunk.

A $500 donation to Sacred Heart Catholic School in La Grange was given in honor of the Court’s Chaplain Fr. Chris Smith and Spiritual Advisor Deacon Mike Meismer, and in memory of Msgr. Harry Mazurkiewicz who had been Court Chaplain for over forty years. The announcement was made by Regent Hebert while Treasurer Krause presented the gift to Sacred Heart School Principal Karissa Kleiber and Fr. Chris Smith.

Memorial Scholarships in the amount of $600 each were awarded to seventeen high school graduating seniors who are children of Court Annunciation No. 1962 members or members of JCDA Court Annunciation No. 1962. In addition, three Memorial Scholarships of $300.00 each were awarded to JCDA Outstanding Members. Committee Co-Chairmen Stacy Ryza and Elizabeth Kallus announced the named Memorial Scholarships while memorial family members came forward and presented the scholarships to their recipients. Assisting were Scholarship Committee members Peggy Supak, Marilyn Freedman, Brenda Seberger, Theresa Mueller, Beatrice Ortiz, and Tina Ocon. Appreciation was conveyed for the generous donations to the scholarship program made by memorial families, friends, members of Court Annunciation, and the community.

Recording Secretary Weishuhn read letters of regret of not being able to attend from Rev. Fr. Keith Koehl, Pastor of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Austin, and from Olga Samaniego, Past National and State Regent from El Paso. She also shared the congratulatory cards, gifts, and spiritual enrollments that were received for the 60th Anniversary. Then Court Fr. Chromcik No. 1440 Fayetteville Regent Shula and Treasurer Pauler presented a monetary gift for Sacred Heart Catholic School in honor of Court Annunciation’s 60th Anniversary.

JCDA First Vice State Regent Elena Supak spoke about the 100th Anniversary of JCDAin the State of Texas and the celebration and retreat that will be held Saturday, June 27, in Jarrell, encouraging JCDA to attend. She said there are sixty-five active JCDA Courts in Texas with over 1,500 members that are living the JCDA Motto, “Be Useful”. She also shared how JCDA has been important in her life. Regent Hebert presented her with a gift of thanks.

CDA State Regent Virginia Olsovsky was able to speak personally about Court Annunciation No. 1962 because of her close proximity to La Grange from Flatonia. She truly has seen the faith filled service of the members reflecting Christ’s love in all the many programs undertaken. She said many blessings have been poured out on the Court and it has become an exemplary Court in the state of Texas. While Regent Hebert presented a gift of appreciation to Virginia, local officers presented gifts to the State Officers, District Deputy No. 11, and Past State Regents.

In her Closing Remarks, Regent Hebert thanked everyone for attending the annual family event that was so special this year with it being the 60th Anniversary. She and her officers then surprised Stacy Ryza and Elizabeth Kallus, Co-Chairmen of the event, with gifts of thanks for organizing the dinner for many years.

She then continued by acknowledging the Knight of Columbus No. 2574, Clergy, Marilyn Freedman and decorating committee, the anniversary committee, CDA families and spouses, Junior CDA, Lukas Bakery, Colton Brugger, Weikel’s Bakery, Coy Heinrich, Fayette County Record photographer Jeff Wick, and SHOCK youth group with Ty Brooks their Youth Ministry Coordinator.

Singing of the CDA Closing Ode was led by Mary Lou Anderle, followed by Benediction and Closing Prayer by Fr. Chris Smith.