Spotlight!

Spotlight On...

Court St. Clare of Assisi #2677

Spotlight On...

Southern Arizona CDA Courts of Tucson Diocese!

 Mary Lim has recently written a beautiful and inspiring article in The New Outlook Diocese of Tucson Online News about our Southern Arizona Catholic Daughters of the Americas and their many good works and vocations. Please click on the following link to view the article:

https://news.diocesetucson.org/news/catholic-daughters-of-the-americas-continue-toserve-diocese-of-tucson

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AZ Court Blessed Sacrament #2750 Tolleson, Arizona!

Congratulations to Court Blessed Sacrament #2750 Tolleson AZ. This court was on the brink of disbanding. They were losing members. Through dedication, perseverance and prayer they are alive and well. Many thanks to Regent Mary Lucero the court now has 21 members. These photos and their smiles are evidence of their joy in being part of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.  

Officers from Left Viviane Martinez, Vice Regent;  Mary Lucero, Regent; Vanessa Flores, Recording Secretary; Cecilia Ortiz, Treasurer and Vilma Portugal Chavez, Financial Secretary. 

 Here are new members celebrating National Catholic Daughter Sunday. Praise God!    

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AZ Court St. Clare of Assisi #2677, St. Clare of Assisi, Surprise!

Congratulations to Court St. Clare of Assisi for being in the Spotlight! We celebrate your tremendous dedication as servants of God in Christ- in prayers said, fundraisers to aid charity groups, participation in retreats, interacting with other Arizona CDA courts, being a dynamic and loving women's presence in your parish and beyond! 

Court St. Clare's of Assisi's extensive list of ongoing Court projects from their website is testimony to their Catholic Christian faith in action.

Little Dresses for Africa – This ministry works year-round. Since its inception, over 2,500 dresses have been shipped to “Little Dresses for Africa”. Parish members help with making the Little Dresses. Everything needed to make the dresses is donated. Help is always needed to sew, cut, iron, etc. Contact Chair, Teddi Murray. 

Boy’s Britches for Africa – This ministry was started when a photo of a boy was wearing one of the Little Dresses instead of shorts. This ministry makes 3 sizes of boys shorts, small, medium and large. Everything needed to make the britches is donated. Help is needed in cutting out the pattern, preparing the fabric for sewing by ironing the seams in place, and final pressing. We have shipped over 550 pair of boys britches. Contact Chair, Madeline Marcoux. 

Mission Rosaries – This ministry is chaired by a 35-year Catholic Daughter member who trains members to make the rosaries. Supplies are donated by members. Since its inception, they have shipped over 16,850 rosaries. Tools and supplies are provided and there is no deadline when the rosaries have to be completed. Contact Chair, Madeline Marcoux. 

Eucharistic Adoration – Every Friday from 1 – 4 pm St. Clare of Assisi Parish has Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Adorers sign in and list the ministry they represent. Adoration ends at 3:45 pm with Benediction. Divine Mercy hour is celebrated every Friday from 3 – 3:45 pm and completed with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Come spend 1 hour with the Lord and reap His many graces and blessings. He is waiting for you.

Chair - Lorrie Holland

Daily Rosary – members commit to pray the rosary daily to end abortion.  The rosary is prayed in the privacy of their homes. 

Contact Chair, JoAnna Wahlund.

H.O.P.E. Cards – Helping Others Persevere Emotionally – This ministry provides greeting cards for foster children who have been removed from their parents for abuse, abandonment or neglect. Each card is handcrafted. Participating members make Birthday cards, Christmas and Easter cards. Welcome cards are made for the children entering the foster care system and delivered to the Sunshine Residential Home corporate office. We have handcrafted and delivered over 3,530 cards in the past 3 years.

Contact Chair, Patti Faciana.

Coins 4 Christmas – Members set aside money each week during the year to help a family or children in need for Christmas with gifts. The members are asked to make this a family project. This past Christmas we purchased gift cards for three of the Sunshine homes totaling 30 children. Members can jump in any time during the year by saving loose change.

Contact Chair, Lorrie Holland.

Rosary Leaders – Members help lead a decade of the rosary at one of our weekend masses and/or help at our monthly meeting where we offer the rosary for our country. If you are comfortable leading a decade of the rosary please join us. You are encouraged to arrive no later than 30 minutes before any mass. If you see a chair open join the group.

Contact Chair, Teddi Murray

Prison Ministry – Volunteers visit women in prison 1-3 times a month. A communion service with a reflection is celebrated. Inmates participate using a laminated mass card with prayers and responses. The laminated cards were created and provided by our court. The new volunteer process takes around three months. If you feel called to this ministry.

Contact Chair, Lorrie Holland.

Prayer Warrior - Prayer requests and prayers of thanksgiving are submitted on an as needed basis. Members receive daily spirituality via email. Attached to the prayer requests are healing prayers and prayers of thanksgiving. Every member is a prayer warrior.

Contact Chair, Madeline Marcoux

Kukuma - Court St. Clare have even adopted an African village in need of support:

Adopted Village of Kakuma, Kenya. In addition to prayers, funds are provided on a routine basis to cover the cost of food and the very basics of life. 

Court St. Clare of Assisi was formulated on April 30, 2014. Father Sylvester Modebei presided along with Deacon Joe Badame at the installation mass. Deacon Joe is Court Chaplain. Court St Clare of Assisi began with 39 members, ages ranging from 18 years to 89 years old. Some Catholic Daughters have their daughters in the Junior Catholic Daughters, Court Santa Chiara (St. Clare in Italian). 

CDA #2677 meets on the 4th Saturday of each month from September – May at 11:00 am, followed by the meeting and the rosary for our country at St Clare of Assisi Parish Hall, St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church - 17111 W. Bell Road; Surprise, AZ  85374 

May God bless you and may the Holy Spirit continue to guide you!

2020 - 2022 Officer's

Regent- Teddi Murray     teddireidmurray@gmail.com

Vice Regent-Joyce de la Concepcion  joycesulse@hotmail.com

Recording Secretary-Reggi Wesley reggi.wesley@gmail.com

Financial Secretary-Sandra Wolf     sandrawolf801@gmail.com

Treasurer-Mary Lee Rueth     marylee.rueth@gmail.com

Parliamentarian-Teddi Murray     teddireidmurray@gmail.com

District Deputy- Vee Dietrich     veedietrich36@gmail.com

Pastor & Chaplain-Fr. Thaddeus McGuire 

Spotlight on... 

AZ Court St. Mary Magdalene #2708, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Avondale!

Court St Mary Magdalene #2708 has been a vibrant, growing, and active participant in AZ Catholic Daughters of the Americas since its inception in 2016, when AZ State Regent Lori Holland approached St. Thomas Aquinas Church pastor, Father Muir, to receive permission to initiate a new CDA Court. Whilst retaining founding members, many women of the parish have since joined to share their faith, friendship, love, talents and creativity. Through the Love of God, members dedicate themselves to be creative servants by participating in the Circle of Love. 

Prayer Warriors have been a powerful ministry to pray for those in need, poor health, or for the loss of a loved one as well as prayers of thanksgiving for God's blessings, love, and peace. 

The Court has held many successful fundraiser events- Rummage Sales, Shredathon, Bake Sales, Ladies' English Tea, etc. to support various charities such as New Life Women's Shelter in Avondale and St Thomas Aquinas  Parish Elementary school and presented checks to St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank and St John Paul II High School. They also hold a students writing contest, which in 2017 produced a winner in the CDA National contest finals. The women have served annually a spaghetti dinner for the parish teen group every January, which is an enormously popular event with the kids! 

Another exciting year is coming up, and if you would like to learn more

please contact Jeanine Maiella    venice1996@cox.net

Where:

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church

13720 W. Thomas Road

Avondale, AZ 85392 

Time:

10:00 AM- 12:00 PM Every Third Saturday of the month (except for June, July and August);

 Meeting followed by Fellowship.

                                                  Court #2708 St. Mary Magdalene OFFICERS: 2020-2022

Regent                                         Martha Fornes                                                 martha.fornes@gmail.com

Vice Regent                             Jeanine Maiella                                             venice1996@cox.net

Treasurer                                  Donna Tomassone                                        dtomassone416.dt@gmail.com

Financial Secretary             Cherrie Pierson                                         piersoncherrie@gmail.com

Recording Secretary          Debbie Richter                                          debbierichter801@gmail.com

Spiritual Advisor                   Deacon Edgar Carnecer                         ecarnecer@gmail.com

Marta Vielma Nominee, Arizona Catholic Daughter of the Year

 Court Queen of Peace #2359 Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Green Valley, Arizona

 Member Standing

 Marta Vielma has been in Good Standing at Court Queen of Peace #2359 since February 2008. • Prior to joining Court Queen of Peace in 2008, Marta was a member of Santa Monica’s Court #1987 from 1999 through January 2008. When Santa Monica’s Catholic Daughters Court disbanded, Marta joined Court Queen of Peace in Green Valley and has driven from her home in Tucson to attend all Court meetings, activities, and events in Green Valley.

 Active in Court Activities 

 National CDA Conference Attendant and Delegate – 2008 in Albuquerque NM, and 2018 in Sioux Falls, SD. • State CDA Conference Delegate – 2019 • State CDA Conference Attendant – 1999 – 2019 • Participant, State conference training sessions • Treasurer – 2020 • Hospitality and Refreshment Chairperson – 2015 to 2020 • Model at Spring Fashion Show and served on the Set Up and Take Down Committees – 2017 to 2020 • Telephone Tree Call Leader – 2019 to Present • Volunteer for Fashion Show Silent Auction Committee – 2019 to 2020 • Volunteer for Membership Drive activities at Our Lady of the Valley – 2019 to 2020 • Member of Christmas Giving Tree activity – 2018 to 2020 • Member of Supporting Our Military activity – 2019 • Nominations Committee Chairperson – 2017 to 2018 • Member of Circle of Love campaigns – o As a longtime member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Marta has been involved with Education campaigns as an active participant. Between 2015 to 2016, she was a member of the Committee that facilitated a writing contest for children with cash prizes being awarded to 1st, 2nd , and 3rd place winners. o As an attendee and delegate at Arizona State Conferences from 1999 to 2019, and during 2 National conferences she has familiarized herself with the Legislative initiatives announced and discussed at the conferences and reported back to the Court to explain the significance and relevance of each, and its role in upholding Catholic doctrine and practices. 2

 Active within her Parish and CDA Communities 

Active participant in Court and parish activities at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Green Valley – 2008 to Present. • Attends mass regularly as a registered parishioner and an active participant at Santa Monica Roman Catholic Church, Tucson, AZ – 1988 to Present. • Office Aide/Assistant to Sisters Rachel and Carla, Directors of CCD program at San Xavier Mission, Tucson, AZ 2018 to 2019. • Former member, registered parishioner and active participant at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Tucson, AZ – 1981 to 1983. • Former member, registered parishioner and active participant at St. John Catholic Church, Tucson, AZ – 1983 to 1988. 

Active within her Local Community 

Member, League of Mexican American Woman (LMAW), a civic organization that serves the local community through advocacy and activism to support and foster justice, equality and human rights and dignity for its residents. 2019 to 2020 o Active participant in the LMAW yearly Scholarship Program fund raising activity to provide financial scholarships to disadvantaged young people from the Mexican American community wishing to attend college. o Active participant on The Ronald McDonald House project where members provide needed products and hospitality items to ensure that cleaning services, groceries, and other items are available prior to the arrival of families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, Tucson, AZ. • Volunteer, Sunnyside School District, Tucson, AZ school and community events 1988 – 2020. • Volunteer, Sunnyside School District, serving at the District’s High, Middle, and Elementary schools – 2007 to 2020. • Member, Sunnyside School District Superintendent’s Advisory Board – 2018 to 2020. • Member, Sunnyside School District Site Council, Desert View High School – 2016 to 2020. 

Epitomizes Motto of Unity and Charity 

Throughout her career at Court Queen of Peace, Marta has demonstrated and exemplified the motto of Unity and Charity by serving her fellow Catholic Daughters through her tireless service in various capacities throughout the years. As Hospitality and Refreshment Chairperson for many years, she is there before meetings to assist the Leadership Team with the meeting room set up and take down, purchasing and providing healthy snacks and refreshments to enhance the social experience for her fellow Catholic Daughters, and especially those preferring healthy food choices. As a reminder, Marta drives into Green Valley from Tucson for these meetings and oftentimes incurs these expenses from her own pocket. Demonstrating her love for our Lord and Blessed Mother through her acts of patience, goodness and forgiveness when she has been slighted, Marta’s personal tenets of Unity and Charity extend well beyond the Court Queen of Peace. She is known as a formidable wife, mother, and grandmother, always requiring that her family practice and adhere to their Catholic principles and teachings. She is charitable and understanding, yet always striving to maintain unity when there is discord and encouraging devotion as the Blessed Mother asks.3 Lives the Mission Statement by Working for Justice, Equality and Human Rights Dignity Her many years of advocacy and activism in the Tucson public schools and her recent participation in the League of Mexican American Women civic organization clearly demonstrate her dedication and putting into practice the guiding principles of the Catholic Daughters’ mission. As a respected member of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council at the Sunnyside School District, and member of the Site Council at Desert View High School in the Sunnyside School District, Marta has served to ensure that changes to curriculum and new policies are announced and vetted with parents, are fair and protect all students justly and equally. Likewise, her participation as a member of the League of Mexican American Women has resulted in positive outcomes for many young people seeking to better their lives through a college education. Her efforts have also assisted numerous other members of the community seeking to improve their neighborhood and lives. In addition, Marta has been an active partner in a family-owned business since August 1974. In July 2012 she inherited the business upon her father’s death, and on March 19, 2014, she and her husband formed an LLC (Limited Liability Corporation) for the business and continue to operate their business to date. Although Marta has said several times “I prefer to stay in the background” she has always stepped up when needed. Kind, humble, devout, and regardless of her physical and health situation as a kidney transplant patient, she is always ready to assist where needed. Her assistance and dedication to serve has resulted in numerous Court Queen of Peace events, activities, and project successes. Her dedication to serve others through advocacy and activism for justice, equality and protecting the dignity of all those communities she serves has not faltered; she remains strong in her convictions that service to her communities is service to God, and the Blessed Mother.