Catholic Daughters celebrate 5 years of ministry

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Daughters of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Court 2584, celebrated their 5th anniversary Sunday, Dec. 11.

The officers of the National Court of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas authorized Court 2584 to "receive members and perform all work of the order" on December 10, 2006.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas is the largest national organization of Catholic women in the world dedicated to strengthen their spiritual life through Christ and His Church. 

"They strive to embrace the principle of faith, working through love in the promotion of justice, equality and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all." 

CDA Court 2584 was organized by Rebecca Schmidt with the support of Monsignor Leonard Pivonka, Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.  Rebecca was the first Regent and is a Charter member of the Court. 

CDA Daughters of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Court 2584 gathered in "Unity and Charity" as a court of sisters, as a corporate body to worship together in the Rosary and the Eucharistic celebration Sunday morning. 

They were joined by their court sisters, Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Court 2426 and St. Jude Thaddeus Court 1770 along with family and friends. 

Past Regent, Rebecca Schmidt and present Regent, Mellie Smithwick, together lit the Advent candles, Treasurer, Anna Pena was the reader and Vice Regent Martha Orem, Secretary Mary Lou Meyer and Financial Secretary Johanna Kalinec presented the Eucharistic gifts.  Dignitaries, District 23, District Deputy Dorothy Villarreal, Rachel Munoz, Regent of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Court 2426 and Knights of Columbus, Faithful Navigator, District Deputy #141, Joe W. Alvarez, St. Joseph Council 3169, were also present.

The celebration continued with a luncheon at the Alice Country Club where Alice City Councilman Michael Esparza, presented a proclamation on behalf of the Honorable Mayor John C. Lemon, proclaiming "Sunday, December 11, 2011, as Court Daughters of St. Elizabeth of Hungary #2584, Catholic Daughters of the Americas Day in Alice, Texas." 

Alice Mayor Pro-Tem Dorella Elizondo presented a Proclamation to Rebecca Schmidt "for her love and inspiration as a Charter Member and organizer" of Court 2584. Rebecca was also presented with a dozen red roses on behalf of her Court sisters. Charter members were recognized and awarded their membership and 5-year pins by Spiritual Chaplain, Monsignor Pivonka.