CRYSTAL LAKE—Fourteen women in 13 parishes of the McHenry Deanery seem to have the blending of the biblical sisters Mary and Martha figured out.
Honored on Sept. 18 at a dinner sponsored by the McHenry Deanery Council of Catholic Women, the 14 were cited for their service to their parishes and communities — and for the example of their faith.
Many of the priests who introduced them proclaimed themselves to be “humbled,” “honored,” “privileged” and simply happy to introduce their parish honorees.
One blends “faith, family and health care” in her service; a choir director serves through music; another was said to have “the heart of a servant.” One pastor spoke of how much of his honoree’s work is “only seen by God,” but all her hidden good works may come to light “when she is canonized.”
A handful of the women have served in spite of notable challenges: one is legally blind; another has served for 20 years from a wheelchair; a third almost lost her husband in a motorcycle accident a few months ago; a fourth did lose her son to a heart attack just a month ago; and a fifth flew to Texas with her pastor in January to visit an ailing good friend and parishioner only to discover she had died while they were in flight.
Barbara Thomas teared up a bit as Father Paul White talked about their attempt to visit Church of Holy Apostles parishioner Lavonne Sallaz, founder and past coordinator of the McHenry Deanery Catholic Women of Inspiration annual banquet, held this year at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.
At the end of his remarks, Bishop David Malloy led the crowd in prayer for Sallaz, for the son who died, and for the late Bishop Thomas G. Doran, who faithfully attended the annual banquet and always expressed his appreciation for the wonderful work done by so many parish women in the diocese.
Bishop Malloy noted “the beauty of this humility” shown by the women who live their faith and who serve, but “not doing it to be applauded.” He celebrated also the example of “one of the great lessons” demonstrated for all, including the young people who were present. That lesson? “Get involved,” he said, encouraging all to live their faith particularly in support of families.
The 2016 Women of Inspiration of the McHenry Deanery are:
Cary—SS. Peter & Paul: Paulette Mohr
Crystal Lake—St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: Stephanie Padley
Crystal Lake—St. Thomas the Apostle: Elizabeth Rios
Harvard—St. Joseph: Nancy Nolan
Huntley—St. Mary: Jeannie O’Leary
Johnsburg—St. John the Baptist: Cindy Govekar
McHenry—Holy Apostles: Barbara Thomas
McHenry—St. Mary: Ann Schmidt
McHenry—St. Patrick: Bitsy Schaefer
Richmond—St. Joseph: Bonnie Weber
Spring Grove—St. Peter: Carol Janousek
Wonder Lake—Christ the King: Mary Justen
Woodstock—St. Mary: Kathy Lewellyn and Leticia Vazquez