2019 Women of the Year

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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At the 2019 Diocese of Salt Lake City Council of Catholic Women's annual convention, held April 27-28 at the Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel, 32 individuals were recognized as Women of the Year. They were selected by their parishes and the Catholic Woman's League.

SALT LAKE CITY— Thirty-two women who make significant contributions in their parishes, organizations and communities were recognized during a dinner April 27 at the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women’s annual convention. Each of these women plays a vital role in her service to the Church and her neighbors, although their ministries are as individualistic as the women themselves.

The Woman of the Year banquet was attended by 500 people, including many clergy. Among the guests were Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general; Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus; and Fr. Ken Vialpando, the diocese’s vicar for clergy.

Among those honored were St. George parishioner Bonnie Arndt,  a member of the Sunshine and Prayer Shawl committees, where she helps provide visits and prayer shawls to the sick and lonely. For the past three years, she has directed Beryl Mission’s Christmas tree and coat drive. She also volunteers with the parish’s women’s group.

President of St. James the Greater Parish’s pastoral council, Linda Mitchell serves as a Communion minister and helps with all the parish’s fundraisers. She also helps organize the parish craft and bake sales, and cleans the church. She is serving her second term as the Council of Catholic Women’s treasurer and is the organization’s president-elect.

Millie Burningham has been treasurer of the Catholic Woman’s League for several years and has served in many positions in her parish women’s group. For some time, she was a Communion minister and took communion to shut-ins. She has given many people rides to Mass and other religious activities, and has donated several handmade afghans to charities for their opportunity drawings.  

Carol Herrera blesses the parish of St. Patrick with her talents. Along with her family, she donates, cooks and serves delicious Mexican food for parish Bingo nights and parish carnivals. They also provide funeral dinners for grieving families. She also has organized a donation drive for military personnel stationed in the Middle East.

San Andres parishioner Veronica Solorzano has made a difference in the lives of youth, both in the parish and in the community. She has worked with the parish’s Confirmation group to increase their participation and commitment to the Church. Solorzano teaches English as a Second Language at Mt. Nebo Junior High School, where she has also organized the Latinos in Action program.

Southwestern Deanery

Christ the King: Charlotte Sommers

Saint George: Bonnie Arndt

Saint Paul Catholic Center: Barbara Anderson

Wasatch Deanery

Blessed Sacrament: Kristina Causse

Immaculate Conception: Ginger Schindler

Saint Francis of Assisi: Gail King

Saint Francis Xavier: Gloria Gonzales Cook

Saint John the Baptist: Kathy Lewis

Saint Joseph the Worker: Elaine Montoya

Saint Martin de Porres: Patricia Brown

Saint Peter: Sharon Simmons

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus: Rosa Ramirez

Saint Thomas More: Emily Fernandez

Saint Vincent de Paul: Patti LeClaire

San Andres: Veronica Solorzano

Eastern Deanery

Saint Anthony of Padua: Virginia Martinez

Saint Helen: Norma Cisneros Martinez

Saint James the Greater: Linda Mitchell

Northern Deanery

Holy Family: Karen Fawbush

Saint Joseph: Yolanda Carillo

Saint Mary: Marcella Palmer

Saint Rose of Lima: Juanita Rios

Salt Lake Deanery

Cathedral of the Madeleine: Heather Williams

Catholic Woman’s League: Millie Burningham

Our Lady of Lourdes: Victoria Weiss

Saint Ambrose: Pam Sewell

Saint Ann: Dolly Derbidge

Saint Marguerite: Marianne Rutishauser

Saint Mary of the Assumption: Arlene Helfand

Saint Olaf: Patricia Droubay

Saint Patrick: Carol Herrera

Saints Peter and Paul: Maria Castillo