Duggins is new president of Refugio Area CCW

Ann Duggins was elected president of the Refugio Area Council of Catholic Women at its annual fall meeting held at Immaculate Conception Parish in Gregory on Oct. 8. Duggins replaces outgoing president Irma Aguilar, who served two terms as the Area President.

Other incoming officers installed by area Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) President Tina Muñoz include, Joyce Matula, vice-president; Christa Willis, secretary; and Molly Guevara, treasurer. Joan Salcido served as a proxy for Matula, who was unable to attend the installation. Other outgoing officers are Irene Jones, Vice-President; Matula, secretary; and Melba Pawlik, treasurer.

Duggins, accepted the challenge and said that one of her primary goals will be to visit the different women’s groups already in existence in the area and promote DCCW.

The theme for the Annual Meeting was from the Gospel of John, “I have chosen you from the world says the Lord, to go and bare fruit.”  Dr. Maria Consuelo Martinez of Corpus Christi was the guest speaker for the day.

Dr. Martinez, who is the mother of Father Frank Martinez and Father Peter Martinez, gave a talk on “where God places each one of us and what we must do to bear fruit where we are planted.” Dr. Martinez is a professor at Texas A&M, Kingsville and a longtime member of the Cursillo Movement.

She thanked the women for their “unceasing work for the Burse Club to help our seminarians.” The “Burse Club” is the most important project that the DCCW sponsors each year. It is an annual appeal for parishioners of the diocese to join as members to help the seminarians from the diocese.

“This drive is very important in the needs of the seminarians of the diocese. Every parish in our diocese should take part in this very important project, and we should constantly pray for vocations,” Muñoz said.

Muñoz also thanked Aguilar for “an outstanding job for the past four years” and presented her with a plaque of appreciation for her “outstanding contribution to God’s work.”

Aguilar thanked all those who made it possible for her to serve four years, for their support and generosity during her term and for all the items that were brought from the different areas in attendance for the Mother Teresa Shelter.  Donations for the shelter were received from Sinton, Beeville and Gregory-Portland affiliates.

Aguilar expressed concern for the lack of affiliates in the Refugio Area and challenged the incoming officers to reach out to the other towns in the diocese for possible membership.

Muñoz also reminded the ladies that the biennial convention will take place in the fall of 2012 at St. Joseph Parish in Beeville with the date to be decided after the president and moderator meet with Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey and get his input.