AURORA—Women of the Aurora Deanery were honored by their parishes at a banquet Sunday evening, Aug. 28, sponsored by the deanery Council of Catholic Women.

The women were honored for the many ways they serve at their parishes and in the community at large. “She is always willing to give quietly of herself to make a difference in the lives of others,” says one nomination. Another’s “most significant contribution is seen in the leadership skills she brings to all she does,” reads another. A third is called “a model of Christian living and a beloved member” of her parish.

In his talk, Bishop David Malloy zeroed in on the “prayer warrior” aspect as he posed a rhetorical question: “Where would we be without the women?”

The bishop spoke of the modern challenges to be “authentically Catholic in all we do,” citing how the “culture, in many ways, is pushing God aside. We need to be prayer warriors and witnesses” to the faith.

He asked all present to speak up for family, life and marriage, “telling the world what God has made for us, and the beauty of that.”

Bishop Malloy also asked for prayers for Bishop Emeritus Thomas G. Doran and thanked “all of your prayer warriors, men and women … for all you do.”

Rose Martinet, director of the Chicago Province for the National Council of Catholic Women, spoke also about the 96-year history of the NCCW, which the U.S. bishops requested to provide “a unified voice for all Catholic women in the United States.”

Martinet briefly described two new resources being provided by the NCCW and noted that Mary Glosson, long active in the Aurora Deanery CCW including now as its president, will soon begin her term as representative of the Chicago Province at the NCCW.

The 2016 Aurora Deanery Women of Inspiration are:
Aurora:
Annunciation BVM Parish: Gertrude Saros
Holy Angels Parish: Connie Webber
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish: Janet Wojcik
Sacred Heart Parish: Cristina C. Rodriquez
St. Joseph Parish: Val Bohr
St. Mary Parish: Ana Maya
St. Nicholas Parish: Olga Cervantes
St. Peter Parish: Barbara Iwanowski
St. Rita of Cascia Parish: Ana Elva Herrera
St. Therese of Jesus Parish: Carol Owens

Batavia: Holy Cross Parish: Ann Iwatsuki

Geneva: St. Peter Parish: Irene D’Anna

North Aurora: Blessed Sacrament Parish: Sara Casher

Sugar Grove: St. Katharine Drexel Parish: Jennifer Winger