Catholic Daughters hold anniversary mass, announce Catholic Daughter of the Year

Gazette Staff Report

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Sacred Heart of Jesus Court #1674, celebrated its 62nd anniversary mass on January 27, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Thomas Voorhies as the celebrant. The flag team of Rita Fontenot and Anetta Fontenot presented the American Flag and Catholic Daughter banner, featuring the organization’s motto of “Unity and Charity.” The court officers Barbara Delafosse, regent; Belinda Fontenot, vice regent; Peggy Soileau, recording secretary; Sybil Veillon, financial secretary; Miranda Roberie, treasurer; and Betty Soileau, district regent, followed. Barbara Buroker provided music for the mass and Verna Guillory served as mistress of ceremonies.
Three new members, Brenda Saucier, Trina Fontenot and Jessica Howerton, were accepted into the court.
Father Voorhies congratulated the court on their works of charity, noting, “When they see a need, they take care of it.”
The mass was held on the feast day of St. Angela, who started the order of the Ursuline Nuns, whose work in early New Orleans is so well known.
At the banquet following the mass, Arleen Fontenot was announced as the Catholic Daughter of the Year and presented with a pin. She was recognized for her dedicated, outstanding work in CDA projects, including obtaining gifts for the salad-bingo and the Christmas toy fund and food baskets and for storing these items until they are distributed. Her family was in attendance.
The court chaplains, Father Thomas Voorhies and Father Matthew Barzare, each received a gift of appreciation. Delafosse presented Father Voorhies with a poem about the work of a priest’s hands. She also thanked Edna Soileau and Peggy Soileau for the set up and decorations for the banquet. A large number of court members enjoyed the banquet and Delafosse reminded those in attendance that the next meeting would be held Wednesday, February 3, and that court dues should be paid now.
Door prize winners were Ramona Ortego, Belinda Fontenot, Lynn Landreneau, Janis Soileau, Shirley Cooper, Trina Fontenot, Annetta Fontenot, Cathy Coldiron, Edna Soileau, Miranda Roberie, Barbara Vidrine and Annette Johnson. Members receiving certificates for perfect attendance were Barbara Delafosse and Peggy Soileau.