AURORA—“I never expected this,” Flo Askew says.

The 2015 Woman of Inspiration from Holy Angels Parish in Aurora adds simply that, “I just go where the Lord calls me.”

The program’s description of Askew’s service to her parish and the Church, and the many hug-filled greetings from her friends who came to honor her, provide some clues why she was chosen.

All of the Women of Inspiration program biographies at the Aug. 30 banquet describe good works, of course. But comments like, “Bertha (Krachtus) always has a smile on her face as she serves the Lord,” and “Cheryl (Fredricksen) is an exemplary model of her Catholic faith,” mingled with words like “devoted,” “active,” “gentleness,” “joy,” “faithful” and “blessing” also help to describe the inspiring qualities of the 15 honorees.

“Appreciate” is another key word in many of those descriptions.

Before the dinner began, Father Joachim Tyrtania, pastor of St. Peter Parish in Aurora, expressed his bountiful gratitude for the assistance of honoree Raquel Orta with his Spanish-speaking parishioners. He says he is particularly grateful for her work with a children’s program she co-founded that helps kids, 4-8, begin to understand the Catholic faith.

“For me, it was a surprise,” Orta says of the honor. “We try (to build) the faith in the little ones. I do everything with love … my whole life I try to pray the right way (and) God is number one.”

Bishop David Malloy spoke briefly after dinner, describing that afternoon’s Silver and Gold Mass in Huntley. He encouraged all to “be attentive to marriage” and to pray for couples, for the upcoming World Meeting of Families and Synod for the Family.

Aurora Deanery Council of Catholic Women President Mary Glosson noted in her introductions that the National CCW is celebrating its 95th birthday this year.

This was the 10th consecutive Women of Inspiration banquet in Aurora, each of which is sponsored by the Aurora Deanery CCW.

Members of the area Knights of Columbus sold raffle tickets at the event in support of ADCCW projects throughout the year.

Aurora Deanery Women of Inspiration
Aurora
Annunciation BVM: Bertha Krachtus
Holy Angels: Florine “Flo” Askew
Our Lady of Good Counsel: Leticia Herrera
Sacred Heart: Concepcion “Conchita” Aguirre
St. Joseph: Anne (Reier) Miller
St. Mary: Julie Galvan
St. Nicholas: Adelaida Terrazas
St. Peter: Raquel Orta
St. Rita of Cascia: Ellen Voda
St. Therese of Jesus: Maria Delgadillo
Batavia
Holy Cross: Laurene Schroeder
Geneva
St. Peter: Vicky Julitz
North Aurora
Blessed Sacrament: Phyllis Lia
Sugar Grove
St. Katharine Drexel: Cheryl Fredricksen
Aurora Deanery
Sherry Spinelli, immediate past president