DCCW celebrates Women of the Year

Intermountain Catholic

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Thirty-five Women of the Year from parishes throughout the diocese, as well as Catholic Woman's League, were honored at a dinner April 20. They are shown with Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City; and Monsignor Robert Servatius, DCCW spiritual director. IC photo/Marie Mischel

SALT LAKE CITY — In the tradition of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women annual convention, the Women of the Year were recognized April 20 at a dinner, with the awards presented by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, and Monsignor Robert Servatius, DCCW spiritual director.

Also present at the dinner were many clergy and religious, including Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, the diocesan vicar general; and Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus.

Thirty-five awards were given to women from parishes throughout the diocese. Every recipient is unique, but each contributes in many ways to her parish and the diocese, as the following examples indicate.

Marketa Cooper, from Saint James the Greater Parish in Vernal, has been a lifelong member of the parish. "Marketa is always willing to do anything asked of her and always with a cheerful attitude and a smile," states her nomination. In addition to teaching religious classes for 13 years, she served as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, acts as an altar server for daily Mass, helps clean the church and volunteers for the many church fundraisers and projects including helping with the funeral dinners. "She has a strong commitment to her Catholic faith and is an excellent example to the members of our parish," the nomination reads.

Chris Halen has served as secretary and treasurer of Christ the King Parish’s (Cedar City) Catholic Women’s Council, taught religious education classes, and coordinated spaghetti dinners, craft fairs and Christmas parties, as well as volunteering for 15 years at the parish’s thrift shop, according to her nomination.

In addition, Halen has a beauty shop in an assisted living facility, where she shows "compassion, generosity and devotion to the residents. Doing their hair is just a sideline," the nomination reads. "Chris drives them to Mass, visits them when sick and sits with them to listen, share and lift their spirits. Some residents have passed away and Chris has been there, ministering to family and friends."

Kathy Baca has been a parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Salt Lake City for 62 years. She started working in the parish office when she was 16, and later served as the office administrator for the parish. "Kathy has worked with nine priests who served the parish," her nomination reads. "She is currently a lector, a Eucharistic minister and is on the Finance Committee. In the past she served two years as president of the Parish Council and was secretary of the Council for many years. She taught CCD for many years and was also in charge of the annual Spring Carnival. She has served the parish in many ministries through the years."

Margaret Torina has been a member of Saint Thomas More Parish in Sandy for 30 years. "She is a longtime member of both the Renew and Breaking Bread groups in the parish," according to her nomination. "She has been a sponsor for the RCIA Program. She is currently the vice president of the Fun Bunch. Margaret’s homemade nut bread is a perennial favorite at our Days of Yore bake sale." In addition to assisting at funerals, receptions and other parish events, Torina helps launder the altar linens and spends time visiting the sick and elderly, her nomination states.

Maria Ana Sepulveda has been a parishioner at Saint Rose of Lima, Layton, for many years. "She is a gentle, humble, hard-working woman in the parish," the nomination reads. "Through the years she has helped with raising funds for the parish by assisting at the rummage sales and making food to sell to the parishioners."

She also helped with the Spanish funerals and "has been involved with Las Posadas even when they would travel from home to home. For many years Ana sewed and washed the purificators. She is always helping others and is involved in the community. She is willing to help whenever asked."