DCCW Women of the Year exemplify the faith

Friday, Apr. 29, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — During the annual Women of the Year banquet, 32 women from throughout Utah were recognized for their work in their parishes, where they act as religious education teachers, sing in the choir and care for altar linens, serve on various boards and committees, and undertake numerous other ministries in which they exemplify the Catholic faith.

“It’s amazing to me how much love … is in this room,” said Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, diocesan administrator, during his comments at the banquet. “Without you I don’t even want to imagine how less effective the Catholic Church in Utah would be in spreading the Good News.” 

He suggested that the women read the recently released apostolic exhortation, “Amoris Laetitia,” in which Pope Francis “likens the Church to a mother who’s going to do the best she can no matter what, even if her shoes get dirty in the mud of the street,” he said. “I think it has much with which to inspire your ministries both within your parishes and for the larger diocese, even if you get your shoes a little muddy in the process.”

Among those honored at the 2016 Women of the Year banquet was Paulmina New of Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in Price, where she has been a member for 91 years.

New began singing in the church choir when she was in her teens, and continued for 78 years, according to her nomination form, which continued: “She said the only reason she had to quit was because she couldn’t see the music, but she said she still hums along.” Also, “Paulmina has used her exceptional cooking skills for many, many parish activities through the years,” and she “makes her famous Roquefort dressing for Oktoberfest each year, and it sells out as it comes through the door.”

Diane Houle, a parishioner of Christ the King Parish in Cedar City, “has made a very positive impact on the students” in the Southern Utah University Newman Club; and she makes sure the Sunday Mass for the college students runs smoothly, according to her nomination form. “They very much appreciate all she does for them. Their comments are very telling. They have said, ‘Diane is extraordinary, she is kind, she always has a smile,’ and ‘she is humble, hard-working and never complains.’”

Recently, Olga Cooper was assigned to the funeral ministry at Holy Family Parish in South Ogden, where she has been a parishioner for eight years and is a member of the Council of Catholic Women. She “is always willing to help with the cleaning and decorating of the church at Christmas and Easter.  Olga reaches out to others in her community, visiting with nursing home residents, helping families at the last minute to provide Christmas for them. She helps with many community charity organizations,” according to her nomination.

Judy Johnson, who converted to the Catholic Church more than 40 years ago, is the Woman of the Year for St. Marguerite Parish in Tooele, where she has taught religious education for more than 30 years, according to her nomination form. She also has been an RCIA sponsor, assists with cleaning the altar, is an extraordinary minister of holy communion, a member of the parish’s CCW “and is always available to help the organization whenever asked. Well, except when she had to be Grandma when her daughter gave birth to triplets.”

One of the Women of the Year from the Wasatch Deanery was Angela Robles of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, who “listens to the words of Pope Francis when it comes to family. With their six children, the phrase ‘mi casa es tu casa’ (my house is your house) describes the Robles home perfectly – it is the center point for family prayer, for fun, and for mutual support in times of problems,” according to her nomination form.

At the parish, Robles trains and schedules altar servers, teaches a First Communion class, serves as an extraordinary minister of holy communion, is in the leadership of the Women of St. Francis and helps with projects.