A Note from the Regent

With Lent comes Easter and with Easter comes Spring.  What a chain of events – starting with the first essence of Lent which is repentance:  prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The second essence of Lent is “recalling or preparing for baptism”.  Whereas, before Vatican II, Lent was all about repentance, now the Church asks that we focus on the baptismal features of Lent.  This means we spend some time preparing to renew the promises of baptism.

As in every household, our challenge in the CDA is to discover a way to live Lent that is faithful to our church and to our organization.  We have sacrificed our talent, time, and treasure and have shown our devotion by participating in various spiritual and corporal activities to fulfill the requisites of repentance and preparation for our baptismal renewal.

Easter is such a joyous occasion where a spiritual metamorphosis takes place and we mature into a transfigured state of love and renewal with Jesus Christ.  With Easter comes Easter Lilies, purple and white Irises, those sweet smelling hyacinths and many more that remind us of the beauty and joy of this very important liturgical season.  “O wind, if winter comes, can Spring be far behind…"

Norma N. Locker

Worthy Regent

National News

One Million Rosaries for Unborn Babies

A three-day Multinational Pro-Life Prayer Event has been scheduled for Friday, May 1^st; Saturday, May 2^nd; and Sunday May 3^rd.  The intention of this Rosary will be:

For an end to the surgical and non-surgical killing of unborn human persons.

Each participant will need to pray one rosary on either of the days mentioned above.  To register and be counted as a participant you need to register in their website using the link below:  Forms will also be available at the April Meeting for those who want to register using the form.

www.SaintMichaelTheArchangelOrganization.org

Embryonic stem cell research

One of the problems anticipated to happen with the approval of the funding of embryonic stem cell research will be a demand for eggs to be used for the experiments.  Women,  including young girls, will be offered money (which could be in thousands of dollars) to donate their eggs.

As informed citizens we should ask our legislators the question:  Why use federal dollars on embryonic stem cell research when there are no proven successes in its use?  A good website to learn more about this subject is:

http://www.ncbcenter.org/

“All that is needed for evil to succeed is that decent human beings do nothing”

 Edmund Burke

Did you know?

ProLife Across America published the following stages in the development of a fetus:

   18 days        A baby’s heart begins to beat

   43 days        Brain coordinates movements

   8 weeks        All organs are functioning

   9 weeks        Has permanent, individual fingerprints

   10 weeks      Sense of touch (comfort/pain)

   12 weeks      A baby can smile, suck his/her thumb, and make a first.

“Life begins at conception”

Some Reminders from National

• Reports for Financial Review covering October 1, 2008 thru March 31. 2009 are due no later than May 1, 2009.
• Priest Appreciation Day will be celebrated on Sunday, June 7, 2009.
• State Regents Conference will be held on July 9-12, 2009 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL.

Keep in Your Prayers

• The family of National Regent Elect, Joanne Tomassi on the death of her aunt, Rae Premulo.

Speedy Recovery to

• Claudia Bosch, Immediate Past National Regent
• Grace Rinaldi, Past National Regent
• Lucretia Coates, Past National Director

The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything. 

They just make the best of everything.

Local News

Milestones in Membership

The Court is proud to present 50, 40 and 25 year pins to the following members at the March meeting:

50 year and Lifetime Members:

L-R  N. Locker (Regent)  Flora Pawlak and Barbara Zulkowski.    Hattie Ries (not in picture)

40 year member:    Joan Stavinoha

25 year members:

 L-R: (Standing)  N. Locker (Regent) Mary Beth Haas, Janice Rejsek,  (Seated):  Adelia Kubeczka

 Not in picture:  Ruth Hanzelka. Lesley Joan Stavinoha, Pauline Havelka (Posthumous Award)

Meeting change

The meeting date has been changed to April 14 because of Holy Week.  Meeting will start at 7:15 pm after the Altar and Rosary Society meeting which starts at 6:30 pm.  Try to attend both meetings if possible.  Carrying the spirit of Lent, there will be no refreshments at this meeting.

Read Across America

By Shirley Myers & Pam Labay, Chairs

Thanks to the following for reading to the children at Holy Rosary School. 

Dorothy Pospisil            Carol Hollas

Betty Vacek                  Doris Vacek

Tama Dorman               Alma Slawinski

Shirley Myers

Catholic Clerical Student Fund  (CCSF) Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the CCSF, which was held at St Mary’s Seminary on March 8, 2009, began with Holy Mass celebrated by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo.

It was attended by the staff and seminarians at St Mary’s Seminary, board members of the CCSF, and some guests.  At the brunch which followed, the seminarians were encouraged by Marie Walsh, President of CCSF to sit and visit with the board members.  Dorothy Pospisil and Norma Locker represented the Western Deanery at this meeting.

There are 89 seminarians in residence with a projected enrollment of 100 in 2010.  There will be 16 priests ordained this year (6 for Houston-Galveston Archdiocese).

It was announced that $155,000 will be donated to Cardinal DiNardo for the Seminary by CCSF.  This check will be awarded at the banquet of ACCW on April 18, 2009.

“Faith is what gets you started.  Hope is what keeps you going. 

Love is what brings you to the end.”

                                           Mother M. Angelica

Local News (cont.)

Fiesta Dinner Fund Raising

By Janice Rejsek and Gloria Zdunkewicz

The Fiesta Dinner was a big success which was enjoyed by members and guests.  It consisted of a program of games and prizes provided by Fiesta Market and then a fine Mexican dinner consisting of Mexican casserole, beans, rice and a side salad. 

The hall was decorated with colorful table covers and colorful tissue paper flowers which carried the Mexican theme.

All the guests enjoyed the “sit-down” dinner with the help of the KC’s serving the food.  What a professional group of servers.  Seems they have a lot of practice in their own kitchens.

Financial Report:

Income………………………………    $1,250.00

Expenses:

Centerpieces, Table covers Serving Utensils, baskets………$144.42

Hall Rental ………………………200.00

      SubTotal…………………….344.42

Donation to help expenses     $      10.00

      Total expenses……………………      $  334.42

Net Profit: ………………………           $915.58

Net Profit from Silent Auction ………. $607.00

Total Money:  Fiesta Dinner & Silent Auction……………………….  $   1,522.58

The Court acknowledges the help of various members and the KC’s to make this affair a big success.  (See Thank you section below)

O God, in our good works we glorify not ourselves, but only You.   John 10:31-42

Even more Local News

Silent Auction Details

By Nancy Zurek and Doris Gurecky

A silent auction was also held together with the Fiesta dinner.  A monthly theme was selected for the auction items. We would like to thank all those who donated items for the Silent Auction as follows:

Patti Kocich                 Janice Rejsek

Cathy Bittner                Janey Schumacher

Charlotte Carlson         Pat Haley

Shirley Stavinohoa       Joyce Bartos

Norma Locker              Judy Janecka

Doris Gurecky              Rose Pederson

Jeanette Rehak            Joan Rehmann

Jo Short                       Nancy Zurek

A decription of the silent auction items and amount garnered are as follows:

January – 1 mo membership & 1 hr massage

            $75.00 won by Guinette Haas

February – Valentine Table runner & Kisses candy

            $50.00 won by Amy Sopchak

March -  Wind chimes, bird feeder & feed

            $60.00 won by K. Sopchak

April -  Crucifix & Easter decorations

            $25.00 won by Nancy Zurek

May -  Flower Arrangement & Uncle Sam statue

            $20.00 won by Doris Gurecky

June -  George Foreman Outdoor Grill, Gift Card & Serving Platter

            $100.00 won by Paul Warren

July -  Fourth of July Basket

            $55.00 won by Win Hollas

August – Garden Statue & Flowers

            $40.00 won by Beverly Waddle

September -  Wine Basket, Candy, Popcorn

            $37.00 won by Paula Warnasch

October -  Halloween Pumpkin, Candy, Pumpkin Carriage, Glass Bowl w/ Acorns

            $60.00 won by Claudia Wleczyk

November – Pumpkin Arrangement

            $55.00 won by Pat Schimara

December – Christmas Lamp, Platter & Decorations    

            $30.00 won by Shirley Stavinoha

Total Money Collected:  $607.00

Congratulations to all the winning bidders.  We hope you have enjoyed the various gifts.

Prayer for Lent:  

 … May the remembrance of His life, passion, and resurrection sustain us on our earthly way of the cross.  May His example strengthen us in faith, hope, and love.  And when we come to die, may we by your gracious goodness be born again to eternal life.   Amen.

Dankeschon! Gracie!  Thank you! Salamat Po!  Merci beaucoup

We want to thank all the help of the following at the preparation and during the Fiesta fund Raiser:

Mary Beth Haas & Janice Rejsek -  Chairman

Gloria Zdunkewicz     Claudia Wleczyk

Shirley Stavinohoa    Doris Gurecky

Paula Warnasch       Carol Hollas

Joan Rhemann         Lillian Kujawa

Kim Redlinger

A special thank you to Jeannette Ries -  St Margaret Mary in Sacred Heart Church for her help and advice in the preparation process.

To the members of the Knights of Columbus who helped serve the dinner and dessert and most especially the clean-up:

Rick Kristynik          Kenny Kocich

Andy Sulak            Stephen Haas

Matt Redlinger        Ken Sopchak

John Dorman          Rodney Sembera

Member News

Pray For the Sick

Malcolm Zurek, Betty Rohan, Mary Ann Sembera, Georgia Krejci, Jacque Holchak, Pete Collette, Charlotte Carlson, Julius Nowak, Hattie Ries, Agnes Dziedzic, Harry Wolff, Edward Bartniski, Ron Hollas, Dorothy & Herman Pospisil, Clarence Myers, and for all those who have lingering illness.

Our Sympathy to the family of

Shirley Pavlock - on the death of her Mother-in-law Verna Pavlock

Jill Sumpter – on the death of Gene Sumpter who is Bill’s uncle

Marcia Maussolf – on the death of her sister Carol Rivett

Margaret Ainsworth – on the death of her nephew

Patsy Harlan -  on the death of her Mom, Pauline Havelka

Georgia Krejci  & Lucille Antrich on the death of  Rosalie Antrich (sister and mother-in-law, respectively); also Godmother and aunt of Janey Schumacher.

Rose Pederson – on the death of her Uncle.

Congratulations to

Ruth and Floryian Kendziora – on the occasion of their 50^th Wedding Anniversary on April 4.

April Birthdays

Humor Section:  The Christian Barber

There was a barber who thought that he should share his faith with his customers more than he had been doing lately.

So the next morning when the sun came up and the barber got up out of bed he said,
"Today I am going to witness to the first man that walks through my door."

Soon after he opened his shop the first man came in and said, "I want a shave!" The barber said,  "Sure, just have a seat and I'll be with you in a moment."

The barber went in the back and prayed a quick desperate prayer saying,  "God, the first customer came in and I'm going to witness to him. So give me the wisdom to know just the right thing to say to him. Amen."

Then quickly the barber came out with his razor knife in one hand and a Bible in the other while saying,  "Good morning sir. I have a question for you... Are you ready to die?"

Author is Unknown

Next Meeting

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Marian Hall

7:15 pm  Meeting

(After Altar & Rosary Society Meeting)

(There is no meeting the 1st Tuesday because this is Holy Week.)

Hospitality

January-April: Janey Schumacher

May-August: Helen Torres

The Catholic Clerical Student Fund Annual meeting was held on March 8, 2009, at St. Mary's Seminary,  Houston

Cardinal DiNardo celebrated the mass and attended the meeting as well.
Here is a partial list of Board of Directors:
Marie Walsh - President CCSF
Rev Brendan Cahill -  Second vice President
Minnie Licea -  Fourth Vice President CCSF and President ACCW
Norma Locker -  Representative, Western Deanery
Dorothy Pospisil - Western Deanery member

Board meeting CCSF

Dorothy Pospisil with Officers of CCSF

Dorothy Pospisil with Wade Russell, Jason Bonifazi and Barry Cuba

Marie Walsh and Rev Brendan Cahill

Norma Locker with Cardinal DiNardo

Fiesta Dinner, February 17, 2009  Pictures the day before the party.  These are the cooks doing various activities at the School Cafeteria.

Claudia and Shirley preparing forks n spoons

J Ries, Paula and Carol at Fiesta Dinner preparation

Janice and Mary Beth, Co-Chairs of Fiesta Dinner

Lillian chopping onions

Mary Beth, Gloria, Doris preparing lettuce for salad

Paula grating cheese

More Fiesta Nite Dinner photos...

Doris and Nancy, Silent auction Co-Chairs

Father Bill with Janice, Margaret and Joyce

Fiesta Dinner Workers

Fiesta Emcee with prizes

Gloria and Myron Anderson, Fiesta Emcee

Guest members at Fiesta Dinner

Norma at decorated table

More workers, Fiesta Dinner

Rodney with Mac n Marie