Unveiling the NewsOf the Palm Beaches Central DeaneryCouncil of Catholic WomenSpring 2021

Editor Maria Shanahan, CD Publicity Chair, A Sub-Committee of Leadership Chair

Page 1 Unveiling the News

President’s Report 

From Central Deanery President, Janet Richards

This president reports a favorable fall and winter season for Central Deanery activity.

A COVID impact questionnaire concerning our CCW churches was requested by Florida Providence Director, Sheila Hopkins. This survey mandated a quick turnaround for information from our Central Deanery. Our affiliate presidents did an excellent job in getting this information to me in a timely manner. In turn, I presented our findings to Laurie Ulseth, PBD president, who collected the information for PBDCCW.

This president attended calendar events in the fall that were not cancelled; the Remembrance Tree celebration, the Southern Deanery Fall General Meeting, and a Parliamentarian Seminar presented by Betty McKinley at St. Ignatius. I also worked beside PBD Service chair, Pat Carol at “The Closet” at the St. Francis Center for Human Trafficking. As of the first of the year, the closet has been redefined to help all missions who are in need of clothes, sundry items, etc.

Two main events are currently on our calendar for the spring. We will host an all-day retreat at St. Clare’s, “A Day of Prayer for Our Nation” on March 6th. Our Spring General meeting will be held at St. Ignatius on April 10th in the banquet room. Please refer to the PBD website for information about these events which should be posted in the very near future. As I have stated in the past, I hope you will support with great spirit these upcoming events!

Thank you all for your cooperation in getting things done to keep our deanery moving forward.

Page 2 Unveiling the News

A Word from our Central Deanery Spiritual Advisor, Fr.

Mark Mlay I love you always. In the love of Christ 

And a Word from our Spirituality Chair, Dorothy Harper

The events of the year 2020 caused us to reflect upon ourselves, our church, and our nation.  As women of Council, we enter into this new year with an eyes wide open focus seeing we have much to do.  Please reflect with me on these words of Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC; “The entire world needs to be re-evangelized, including the vast majority of baptized Christians. St. Joseph was the first missionary. Today, he desires again to bring Jesus to the nations. Many nations and cultures that were previously Christian have fallen away from their Christian roots and are on a path of self-destruction. Countries once established on Judeo-Christian principles have become overrun by ideologies and organizations that seek to strip society of all that is sacred. Without a major turnaround, civilization itself is going to self-destruct”.Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has designated 2021 as the Year of St. Joseph. “If the Blessed Virgin Mary is our spiritual mother and refuge, St. Joseph is our loving spiritual father and the missing piece needed in a world searching for truth, peace, and hope.” Jim Caviezel, actor, “The Passion of the Christ”.Pulling from the treasury of our Catholic faith and traditions, we can create this sacred society once again. Along with our President, Janet Richards, I am inviting all to our Central Deanery “Day of Prayer for our Nation”. This will be held at St. Clare Church from 9am-4pm. The day will include prayers, worship, adoration, a patriotic rosary, witness to miracles, guest speakers on Divine Mercy, and Messages from Our Lady. Fr. Mark will lead us in prayer and be available for confession throughout the day. This is a combined program with Central Deanery and the St. Clare Divine Mercy Prayer Group, hosted by CCW of St. Clare Church.

Page 3 Unveiling the News

Please join us on this important day of calling down blessings on our beloved nation consecrated from its beginnings to our merciful God!

And our Legislative Chair, Irene McDuffee

Catholic Days at the Capitol was presented virtually this year on February 2nd and 3rd.  I attended the briefings on the progress of issues to be considered for bills and those that need more definition.

AbortionIngrid Delgado represents social concern for Respect Life and has been working hard to convey the fullness of our Catholic belief.  In Florida abortion is prohibited when a child is viable (20 weeks gestation).  Nine hundred babies were terminated after reaching this stage. The law is not regulated enough.  We propose that a hard-line date of viability be set.

Death PenaltyFlorida is moving away from capital punishment.  The Pope says that it is inadmissible.  A bill is proposed to move to life sentence without possibility of parole.  It is unlikely to pass this year.

Health Issues and Medical EthicsKen Kniepmann briefed us on seeking protection for workers to refuse participating in acts against their moral conscience, which is how the moral man hears God speaking.  Discrimination in the workplace should be illegal for all elective procedures.  It does not apply to life saving emergencies.  It is not expected to pass this year, although it is hopeful that a bill will be filed soon.The Med Act would cover individuals, institutions, and payers.  Any State licensed worker including Social Workers are included.  It is interesting that payers (insurance companies) fall under this.  Much work is needed to prepare this bill.

Education and Parents' ChoicesMike Barrett addressed concerns in education and strengthening parents' choices of where to educate their children. Florida is on the cutting edge of choices by offering scholarships based on economic status and disability special needs.  Voluntary kindergarten programs are open to all.The Supreme Court ruled that religious schools cannot be excluded from available choices.  Florida saves $200,000,000 in comparison to the cost of educating these students in public schools.  It is proposed to raise the scholarships to 100% of tuition.My introduction to Catholic Days at the Capitol was an inspiration to me.  Although I did not meet with a representative person to person, I think it is very worthwhile

Page 4 Unveiling the News

to make known to them our position on abortion, assisted suicide and the death penalty.  We do not impose.  We propose.  Movement on these issues is slow.  The Parental Consent bill passed in 2020 was twenty years in the making.Erin Grall of Palm Beach District 54 was presented the Defend Vitae award for her tireless work on the parental consent bill and for new life.  She is to be applauded.

On a personal note, I was so delighted to recognize Bishop Gregory L. Parkes of St. Petersburg, who grew up in my parish in New York.  His younger brother, Stephen, is now the Bishop of Savannah, Georgia.  I didn't know this until yesterday.  They are the 11th pair of brother bishops in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States.

Thank you to Deanna Herbst and everybody who had a part in the extensive planning to make this event successful and beautiful.

Last but not least …Affiliate updates

St RitaLiz Vanino - President

I am happy to report that many of our sisters did come to our January General Meeting. There are some sisters that until they receive the vaccine will not venture out of their home. We are planning on having Bunco in April but still not sure. We are planning a raffle in May "May Flowers" as a fundraiser. Hoping to sell 400 tickets at $10 each.Still unsure about the flea market in March.Thank you and God Bless

Page 5 Unveiling the News

Maria Shanahan – President

Well, it has been a while, but we started off December with our general meeting on the 2nd followed by a successfully Back to Basics Angel gift giving. CCW members assisted with sorting the 200 gifts on December 13th. These gifts were in addition to the CCW member gifts donated for the refuge children. Thank you to all who contributed and special thanks for all the help sorting the gifts! We have also continued to collect for the Human Trafficking victims. Our members have contributed by bringing items to our monthly meetings for this worth cause. May God’s blessings be with all my Council sisters. I pray for an end to this terrible pandemic. Stay safe and healthy!

Natividad Perez - President

St Mary is having mass every day. Wednesday and Friday for English 8:00 am and Spanish mass 8:30am at the adoration church always wear mask when entering the church.  Sunday mass English 9:30am and Spanish mass at 11:30am.  We haven’t started our CCW meetings yet.  The pandemic is still raging and we cannot avoid this.  Still in social distancing.  Please pray for us.

St. Jude, Tequesta President, Liz Schauer

Page 6 Unveiling the News

St. Jude CCCW met in January. Our guest speaker was Myrna Wong who spoke on Human Trafficking. Lenten Day of Reflection on February 24th with Fr. Frank as our presenter for the day. The day of reflection will be open to all of the women of the parish. March 17th Our speakers will be a woman firefighter and a woman paramedic from the Village of Tequesta Fire Rescue. Speaking to us regarding on how so many things have changed since COVID began. Our Spring Luncheon will be on April 21st in the parish center. A catered luncheon after installing the Board for next year. 

Our Lady Queen of the

ApostlesAnn Behar- President

We made it through the first month of the New Year. I think it is not getting any worse, maybe a little better. Some of you have had your COVID-19 vaccine, many of us are still trying. 

The gift shop is doing quite well all things considered. We are open after all weekend Masses; our customers are glad. In January, I took a check to the office for $3.000.00, our net income from July 1st to December 31st.  

Our church is well attended, safety first. We have never reached our 25% capacity. It is very safe. I cannot get over how they sanitize the church after each Mass. 

There are no plans to start our meetings anytime soon.  There are no other parish activities planned as of right now either.  

Page 7 Unveiling the News

Take care of yourselves, pray for each other, especially for our families in need of extra prayers. 

Dorothy Harper - President

Theme: The joy of the Lord is our strength!  Be joyful, be strong!  

We did not have an October General Meeting because of the Columbus Day holiday. The weekend of October 3-4 was especially busy for our Council. We held our St. Francis Blessing of the Animals annual event on Saturday Oct 3rd outside the church. And spoke at all masses that weekend for Council Sunday. Our November General Meeting was held at in the Cathedral Hall of St. Ignatius with guest speaker. Topic: Divine Mercy, Journey of a Soul. December was a busy month. SPCCW delivered gift cards to our Parish staff. We gave our Pastor our annual Christmas donation for the needy of our Parish during the holidays. Our Angel Tree this year was outside in the covered church entry with great success! In January, we advertised Human Trafficking Awareness Month in our Parish bulletin and continue to collect items for Human Trafficking victims in our Diocese. Also, in January, we celebrated our annual memorial mass for deceased members. April 10th is the date for our Paper Shredding fundraiser on the Church grounds.

The positive outcome of 2020 that I can see is an increase in faith. In the New Year, I continue to see our members at Sunday masses, adoration on First Fridays, praying rosaries, novenas, studying the bible, sharing Jesus and renewing our Catholic prayer traditions by invoking the saints, the angels, St. Joseph, and the protection of our Blessed Mother. 

SAINT THERESE DE LISIEUX Donna Leonardo - President

We have been fortunate to be able to hold our Monthly General Meetings since October. We held a successful Shredding Event in December. Our Angel Tree had an overwhelming response providing gift cards this year. We have scheduled another Shredding Event on March 13th. All bake sales have been cancelled due to the pandemic. Praying for a better year ahead.

Page 8 Unveiling the News

God’s Blessings