ROCKFORD—“May God grant you His most special blessings,” said the nomination form from St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish.

The warmth behind the well-wishes for that parish’s honoree, Barbara Turman, was reflected in the applause that erupted as the names of each of the 19 women being honored were read at the 24th annual Catholic Women of the Year Banquet Jan. 31.

Sponsored by the Rockford Deanery Council of Catholic Women and held at Giovanni’s restaurant this year, the honorees wore corsages and were given plaques.

Each woman was a magnet for cameras and cell phones as photos were taken of them individually, with each other, with Bishop David Malloy, with their parish priests and with family members and parish friends.

The event honors women of deanery parishes who provide essential service in visible and in sometimes-hidden ways.

Some are active and hold offices in parish organizations. Others quietly help parishioners at home or in nursing homes, beautify the parish, help children, work in the garden or in the parish kitchen.

 Some are master organizers, others lead prayers or are  a mainstay of prayer in their parishes.

All 19 were described with words like “enriching,” “respected,” “willing to help,” “love of God,” “wonderful” and “hard working.” The parishes described themselves as being blessed and honored by the women of the year.

Bishop Malloy provided brief remarks before saying the opening blessing. Applauding the many wonderful, corporal works of mercy performed by the honorees, the bishop said, in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, all Catholics should remember also to give of themselves in spiritual works of mercy to their parishes and communities.

Honored Women of the Rockford Deanery
The 2016 Women of the Year of the parishes of the Rockford Deanery are:

Belvidere — St. James: Mary Kasper
Byron — St. Mary: Nettie Pell
Durand/Irish Grove — St. Mary/St. Patrick: Lorraine Vormezeele
Loves Park — St. Bridget: Mary Toldo
Pecatonica — St. Mary: Sue Benters
Rockford — Holy Family: Aida Soto
St. Anthony of Padua: Roseann (Scalise) Sheridan
St. Bernadette: Mary Groeninger
St. Edward: Natealle Medina
St. James: Evelyn Fleming
St. Mary Oratory: Urszula Maligranda
St. Patrick: Ann Cropp
Cathedral of St. Peter: Phyllis Holm
SS. Peter and Paul: Carolina Ruvalcaba
St. Rita: Geraldine McMahon
St. Stanislaus Kostka: Barbara Turman
Roscoe — Church of the Holy Spirit: Marguerite “Marge” Hevrin and Dorothy Wentland
South Beloit —St. Peter: Mary Jane Stephan