St. Elizabeth Catholic Daughters celebrate fifth anniversary

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 2584 of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Alice celebrated their five-year anniversary on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011.  The court gathered in “Unity and Charity” as a court of sisters to worship together in the Rosary and the Eucharistic celebration.

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 Dec. 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. 

Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Court 2426 and St. Jude Thaddeus Court 1770, along with family and friends, joined Court 2584 for the celebration.

Rebecca Schmidt organized CDA Court 2584 with the support of Msgr. Leonard Pivonka, Pastor of St. Elizabeth.  Schmidt served as the first regent. 

Schmidt and Mellie Smithwick, the current regent, joined together to light the Advent candles. Treasurer Anna Pena served as reader and Vice Regent Martha Orem, Secretary Mary Lou Meyer and Financial Secretary Johanna Kalinec presented the Eucharistic gifts. 

Other dignitaries in attendance included District 23 Deputy Dorothy Villarreal; Rachel Munoz, Regent of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Court 2426; and Knights of Columbus District 141 Deputy Joe W. Alvarez from St. Joseph Council 3169.

At a luncheon held at the Alice Country Club following the Mass, Alice City Councilman Michael Esparza presented a Proclamation on behalf of city, 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 Schmidt “for her love and inspiration as a Charter Member and organizer” of Court 2584.  Schmidt also received a dozen red roses from her Court sisters. 

Msgr. Pivonka awarded Charter members 5-year pins  in recognition of their service to the parish and the Catholic Daughters.