It’s great to see so many beautiful faces out there, and I know we’re all very proud of you, and are especially proud of your families. … I bring you greetings from the National Council (also),” Whaley said, noting she and Msgr. Dzielak had returned that very day from the National CCW conference.

 

Bishop Malloy led the dinner blessing, also noting overall the many contributions of the women being honored. “I know there’s previous honorees, we have the current honorees, there probably are a lot of future honorees, and a lot of families,” he said. “It kind of sums up in so many ways the beauty of this evening.”

 

Each of the women had their picture taken with Bishop Malloy who, after dinner, presented the awards to each. They were each described in the evening program, with glowing accounts of their varied works in their parishes including being involved with Scouts, choir, pastoral council, religious education, grounds and gardening, a host of committees, volunteer work beyond the parish, helping in the parish office, lectoring, eucharistic ministry, St. Vincent de Paul, assisting with dinners and luncheons, with Respect Life ministry and other parish events. 

 

Some were noted as caring for the sick, leading the rosary, evangelizing others to come to the Catholic faith, for showing kindness and care to others and for embodying their faith in their prayers.