Catholic Daughters meet in 54th biennial national convention

The 54th Biennial National Convention of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA) was held July 2012 at the Omaha Hilton and the CenturyLink Convention Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Texas delegates and clergy, totaling 98, showed their state pride by singing “The Eyes of Texas” just before congratulating Olga Samaniego of El Paso as the newly elected 2012-2014 Second Vice National Regent.
 
Twenty-three state or court chaplains participated in convention liturgies. Delegates participated in workshops and business sessions and voted on by-laws amendments and resolutions. Past national regents, including Libby Ramirez of Victoria, shared remarks with the assembly.
 
Father James Sichko was the keynote speaker, Patrick Fagan of the Marriage and Religion Research Institute was a guest speaker and Sister Rosemary Connelly, RSM, Misericordia - Heart of Mercy was named Woman of the Year. Elected 2012-2014 National Officers, in addition to Samaniego, were National Secretary/Treasurer Sherry Nilles, National Regent Anne Nelson, National Regent Elect Shirley Seyfried and First Vice National Regent Helene Shepard.
 
Eve Trevino of Corpus Christi, TX was elected to the nominating committee. The Texas State Court was acknowledged for building two Habitat for Humanity homes in the 2010-2012 term.
 
The charity Walk for Love totaled donations of $10,400 for national projects and charities. Sheila Martinka of Deer Park and Barbara Molloy of Houston crossed the finish line side by side sharing First place.
 
The Texas State Newsletter won first place in the newsletter contest along with local courts, Rev. Herbert Scholler #2085, New Braunfels; Holy Rosary #1476, Rosenberg; and St. Paul #1604, Shiner. The Father Leonard Bachman Graduate Scholarship of $3,000 was awarded to Deborah Greene, Court Annunciation #1962 in La Grange.
 
Texas courts donated $80,851.04 of the $343,534.72 grand total 2010-2012 national projects and charities donations received from all local courts. The 1st Place award for the Most New Courts was presented to Texas. The State Court of Texas was acknowledged for their donation and membership with the 1903 Society that was established to preserve the historical National Headquarters building in New York.
 
Circle of Love awards went to the following Texas courts: Daughters of Our Lady of Fatima Court #2596, San Antonio; St Angela Marci #2631, Denton; Bishop Odin #1758, San Antonio; St. Laurence Court #2402, Sugar Land; Our Lady Queen of the Lake Court #2364, Lake Jackson; Our Lady Queen of Peace Court #1374, El Campo; Saint Frances de Sales Court #2647, Houston; Saint Ann Mother of Mary Court #2649, La Vernia; Saint Paul Court #1604, Shiner; Christ the King Court #1750, Houston; Tori Chapa and Alexandra Corpus of St. Ann Court #369, Victoria; Elyssa King of Queen of Angels Court #1538, Wallis; Greg Resendez of St Marie Magdalene Court #1989, Laredo and Miguel Cacanindin of Immaculate Heart of Mary Court #1884, Conroe. Texas State Public Relations Chair Terrie Vacek, Willis, received a Certificate of Appreciation.
 
The 2014 National Convention will be in Billings, Montana. The essay themes for the 2013 Education Contest are “Jesus is reflected in me” or “My life is a reflection of good.”
 
For a detailed day–by-day report of the convention please view the Texas CDA State website at www.texascda.org.