In Unity and Charity

La Bonne Nouvelle Des Amis (The Good News, Friends)

Catholic Daughters of the Americas ® Louisiana State Court

June 2017

Mission Statement: Catholic Daughters of the Americas strives to embrace the principle of faith working through love in the promotion of justice, equality, and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all.

Message from the Louisiana CDA State Regent Connie Dronette

My Dear Sisters in Christ, First and foremost, the new state board and I want to thank you for placing

your confidence in us. We pray that God will speak to our hearts and that we will follow His will as we lead the state. We pray for His help in leading you well. We thank Him for the wisdom passed down from past boards and praise him for the gift of CDA. The new state officers and the Diocese they represent are as follows. Connie Dronette will serve as State Regent and represent the Diocese of Lake Charles. Dawn Fortenberry will serve as First Vice State Regent and represent the Dioceses of Alexandria and Shreveport. Pam Melancon will serve as Second Vice State Regent and represent the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Margaret Comeaux will serve as Secretary and represent the Diocese of Lafayette, and Becky Shillings will serve as Treasurer and represent the Diocese of Houma/Thibodaux and the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

The theme that has been chosen for the 2017-2019 term is “Serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13. God calls us to do this for each other.

The state board has decided on three goals to accomplish over the next two years. They are: 1.)To grow spiritually together; 2.) To grow in love and service; and 3.) To grow in number. At the convention, each Court was challenged to contact a Court in their area to combine forces for a service project, a prayer experience, or a fun activity. We need to get to know each other in order to grow together.

With the permission of the Most Reverend Glenn John Provost, Bishop of the Diocese of Lake Charles, our State Chaplain for the 2017-2019 term will be Father Edward Richard., M. S. Father Richard is the pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Sulphur. Please pray for Father Richard as I know he is praying for you.

Our first duty as board members will be to attend the New Officers Workshop in Belleville, Illinois, in July. We ask that you pray for us and please know that we will be praying for you.

And last but not least, the 2019 LA State CDA Convention will be held in the Diocese of Lake Charles at the West Cal Event Center in Sulphur on March 28 – 31, 2019. We hope to see many of you there.

Your Servant Sister, Connie

LA State CDA Officers

2017-2019

State Regent Connie Dronette 610 Pitre Street

Sulphur, LA 70663 337-802-6136

conniecda@yahoo,com

First Vice State Regent Dawn Fortenberry

44475 Daniel Guidry Road St. Amant, LA 70774

225-324-8610 dawniecda@yahoo.com

Second Vice State Regent Pam Melancon 9325 Jeff Street

Gonzales, LA 70737 225-937-1135

pammelancon17@gmail.com

State Secretary Margaret Comeaux

215 Public Road Rayne, LA 70578

337-581-4910 margaretcda17@gmail.com

State Treasurer Becky Shillings

44207 Robert Road St. Amant, LA 70774

225-921-1853 bshillings@eatel.net

LA State Chaplain Reverend Edward Richard, M.S.

1109 Cypress Street Sulphur, LA 70663

337-527-5261 revedrichard@olpssulphur.com

National Director Carolyn Bachmann

19417 FM 172 Scotland, TX 76379-6500

940-541-2569 carolyn1349@msn.com

Newsletter Editor Karen Fills

1513 Anita Street Sulphur, LA 70663

337-304-8424 mkfills@suddenlink.net

Webmaster Joyce Stein

19415 Paul Stein Street Vacherie, LA 70090

225-206-0375 joycestein@bellsouth.net

LA State CDA Website www.lastatecda.webs.com

CDA National Office

www.catholicdaughters.org

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Message from our State Chaplain Reverend Edward J. Richard, M.S.

Dear Friends in Christ, As your recently appointed State Chaplain, I am so happy to be able to introduce myself to you. Currently, I am the Pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Parish in Sulphur, Louisiana, the home parish of our State Regent, Mrs. Connie Dronette. I have been the pastor here for six years. I am a member of the religious community of the Missionaries of Our Lady of LaSalette to whom this parish has been entrusted almost since its founding in 1919. I entered religious life in 1985, having graduated from Louisiana State

University Paul M. Hebert Law Center and practiced law for a couple of years in Lake Charles. I studied for the priesthood in St. Louis, Missouri, and completed those studies in 1991. I was ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ on January 12, 1991, so I have been a priest for over 26 years. My first assignment as a priest was in a parish in Texas where I ministered to both English and Spanish speaking parishioners. I had the great pleasure of administering a mission church in Diboll, Texas, which was predominantly Hispanic. After about two and one-half years, I was assigned to study in Rome at the Alphonsian Academy where I completed a doctorate in Moral Theology in 1996. Upon the completion of my studies in Rome, I was recruited to teach Moral Theology at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. I served there for 15 years in various positions, predominantly as a professor of Moral Theology and Vice-Rector. I am delighted to be back here in the Bayou State as a pastor, and I hope to remain here for many years. I am unfailingly grateful to Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Mother for allowing me to become a priest. I am deeply impressed with the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and their leadership in the Church. I am completely taken with our local Court of Our Lady of LaSalette, and the formation of the Junior Catholic Daughters in our parish has brought us all much encouragement and joy. I look forward to serving you, my sisters, in our joint mission. Yours in Our Lady of LaSalette, Reverend Edward J. Richard, M.S.

Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being.

Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.

Albert Schweitzer

Message from National Director Carolyn Bachmann

Please keep Carolyn Bachman, our National Director, in your prayers. The week after convention, Carolyn had surgery for total knee replacement. The surgery went well, but the rehab has been slow and painful. She is still undergoing outpatient rehab. Carolyn sent an email stating that she was sorry that she was unable to make the newsletter deadline but will be sure to make up for it in the next newsletter. Hopefully, the pain will ease, and she will be feeling much better soon.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Send all membership/addition/deletion reports to: Dawn Fortenberry, First Vice State Regent 44475 Daniel Guidry Road St. Amant, LA 70774 Send all CDA Shirt orders with payments enclosed to: Pam Melancon, Second Vice State Regent 9325 Jeff Street, Gonzales, LA 70737 Send all checks to: Margaret Comeaux, State Secretary 215 Public Road Rayne, LA 70578

Prayer Request Please keep Ruth Guidry, past CDA National Director and LA Past State CDA Regent, in your prayers. She is in the hospital and will be going into inpatient rehab. She has been undergoing tests and needs our prayers.

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Message from our First Vice State Regent and State Court Development Chairman Dawn Fortenberry

My dear sisters in Christ, Convention was awesome. Thank you to all who attended and to those who could not by extending their prayers for our success. We hope all of you attending learned something new that you can bring back to your members to inspire, motivate, or enliven their love for CDA. We need you on fire, but more importantly, God and our churches need you. As chairman of Membership and Development for the state, I plan to hit the road running. Our new State Regent, Connie Dronette, has given us a challenge to grow Courts by at least 10 more. I, personally, don't see that as an unreal request. We are filled with excitement and ready to start. And as in all that we do, I am leaning on the Holy Spirit to guide me and all those who will be helping. We want to reach out to ALL of you to please include our growth in your daily prayers. With God all things are possible!!!

And thank you all for your confidence in me. Many of you had such kind words for me. But please know that all and anything I will do is for you and all our members, trying to make us stronger and more spiritual. Love y'all! God Bless! Dawnie

Message from our Second Vice State Regent Pam Melancon

To my Sisters, I would like to say THANK YOU for putting your confidence in me to serve as your Second Vice State Regent. What a treat it was to speak to so many of you about our Courts and the future of CDA at the convention! I was blessed to experience the weekend with my local Court officers and several of our members, which included my mother, Vernell, and three sisters, Sondra, Cindy, and Trudy. We shared many laughs, tears, and prayers together! To share a bit of myself with all of those who were not at the convention, I have been blessed with an amazing husband, Jeff, of 26 years who has continually supported all of my endeavors. We have three children, Morgan, a 2015 LSU graduate in Interior Design, Mandie, a 2017 LSU graduate in Biology who will begin studying at the LSU School of Dentistry in July, and Mason who is a junior at LSU studying Mechanical Engineering. Geaux Tigers!

I have an Accounting degree from Southeastern Louisiana University and work in a family business, Sorrento Lumber and Concrete, as an Internal Auditor and Manager. I have been a St. Theresa of Avila Court #1955 Catholic Daughter member for six years, serving two years as Vice Regent and three years as Regent. On a State level, I served as a District Deputy and as the 2017 State Resolutions Committee Chairperson. Under my leadership, our local Court has grown rapidly from 55 members to 124. It has been a beautiful gift from the Lord! We have implemented over 29 projects of Unity and Charity focusing on the Circle of Love. We have been recognized by both State and National for several categories. I look forward to serving on the team of newly elected officers. CDA has ignited a newly profound excitement within my heart. I am excited - excited to learn, to teach, to share, and to grow spiritually with my CDA sisters. I desire to keep the light of Christ shining in each one of us! I pray you will help me do this by being active members of your Courts. Thank you for allowing me to fulfill my call from Christ to be your Second Vice! God Bless, Pam

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

Leo Buscaglia

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Message from our Recording Secretary Margaret Comeaux

My Dear Sisters in CDA, State Convention is behind us, and it was such a wonderful time of learning, loving, and praying together. I enjoyed seeing friends that I have come to know over the last two years and making new friends that I hope to see again and again in the years to come. I want to say a big thank you to all of you for giving me the opportunity to serve you for another two years as State Secretary. I look forward to working another two years with State Regent Connie Dronette and First Vice Dawn Fortenberry, the last two years with them have been a time of learning and forging a friendship with them that will last forever. Thank you both, and with great anticipation I look forward to the next two years. I want to welcome the newly elected Second Vice Regent Pam Melancon and Treasurer Becky Shillings. Led by the Holy Spirit the five members of State Court are hoping to serve all the Courts of Louisiana with the knowledge, love,

and respect you all so truly deserve. Thank you again for giving us this great honor to serve you. Some of my personal goals for the coming two years is to work more closely with the members of Courts in the Diocese of Lafayette. I think together we can increase our membership, and we can work with pastors to help bring CDA Courts to parishes around the Diocese that have none at this time. Working together, we can accomplish so much in the name of Catholic Daughters. I leave you with a quote I read recently. “What a day it is going to be when we stand before the throne to find multitudes that no man can number from every nation, every tribe and every tongue! Our willingness to work these few hours will make eternity that much richer. Live in the light of eternity. Make your life count.” Love and prayers to all, Margaret

Message from our Treasurer Becky Shillings

Dear Catholic Daughters, WOW!! What a convention!! What did y’all think? Personally, I thought it was amazing! From Thursday’s night of reflection with Sister Martha Ann Abshire to Friday’s opening Mass with Bishop Meunch, the business session with Father Jeff Bayhi and the fun night social, to Saturday’s Memorial Mass, the business session with the voting for new state officers, and the banquet with the Governor’s wife, Lisa Edwards, a CDA member, as the guest speaker, on to Sunday’s installation banquet. It was a whirlwind of activities. I’m ready for another convention but that would mean my two years as an officer would be over and I’m just starting. So, let me introduce myself. My name is Becky Shillings, your new State Treasurer. I am the oldest of six children. I was married to my husband Kevin. Just six weeks short of our 38th anniversary in November, 2015, he passed

away from cancer. We have two boys, Alex (33) who has been married for two years to my daughter-in-law, Brandy, whom I adore, and Kam (27). My father passed away in 2007 and my mother in 2014. I was her caregiver the last three to four years of her life as she suffered from dementia. By default, I am the matriarch of the family.

I have been working as an accountant for Loyson Porta Accountant for the last 34 years. I recently (February) started working for my parish church, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, as their part-time bookkeeper. I have been the treasurer for many different organizations over the years. I was the treasurer for St. Amant High School Band Booster Club for 10 years while my boys were in band in high school. I’ve also been the treasurer for the Spartan/Gator Shout Out, an organization that raises money for two high schools in our area, as well as our local American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary, and our recently reinstituted church fair. I love numbers and things that balance. I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me at the convention, and I will work my hardest to live up to the trust you have put in me. Over the next two years, I hope to help our CDA to grow spiritually, in love and service and in numbers. All things are possible through Him. Bless you all, Becky

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Local Court Regents Please make copies of this page for each of your Court officers. Connie Dronette, State Regent: Connie receives copies of local Court financial reviews, local officers lists, is to be notified of any local Court officer change ASAP, and any problems Courts may be experiencing. She is the state officer representative for the Diocese of Lake Charles.

Send the above items to her at: 610 Pitre Street, Sulphur, LA 70663 conniecda@yahoo.com (337) 802-6136

Dawn Fortenberry, First Vice State Regent and State Court Development Chairman Dawn receives all membership forms (addition, deletion, transfers, etc.) and prepares annual membership report and competition. She is also the Membership and Extension chairperson. She is the state officer representative for the Dioceses of Alexandria and Shreveport. Send the above items to her at: 44475 Daniel Guidry Road, St. Amant, LA 70774 dawniecda@yahoo.com (225) 324-8610

Pam Melancon, Second Vice State Regent: Pam is State Chairperson for CDA Kid Project and receives all information on CDA Kid selection and all orders for state CDA shirts along with Court check. She is also the JCDA State Chairman. She is the state officer representative for the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Send the above items to her at: 9325 Jeff Street, Gonzales. LA 70737 pammelancon17@gmail.com (225) 937-1135

Margaret Comeaux, State Secretary Margaret receives all Court money, except for a special project when another officer may be selected to collect monies and state dues which the District Deputy handles and then mails to her. She also does the sympathy and get well cards (contact her ASAP with names of member and address). All Court checks must be made payable to Louisiana State CDA. She is the state officer representative for the Diocese of Lafayette . Send the above items to her at: 215 Public Road, Rayne, LA 70578 margaretcda17@gmail.com (337) 581-4910

Becky Shillings, State Treasurer Becky receives all Court checks along with distribution reports from the State Secretary. DO NOT SEND ANY COURT MONEY TO HER. She is the state officer representative for the Diocese of Houma/Thibodaux and the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Send information to her at: 44207 Robert Road, St. Amant, LA 70774 bshillings@eatel.net (225) 921-1853

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LA State CDA Convention Baton Rouge, LA - April 27-30, 2017

Newly Elected 2017-2019 LA State Officers

Newly Elected 2017-2019 Nominating Committee Friday Fun Night Social

Barbara Schmitt and Gloria Newman

Court St. Francis of Assisi #1915 - Baton Rouge

Opening Mass at St. Jude’s Catholic Church

Court Our Lady of LaSalette #1255-Sulphur

Installation Mass

Flag Bearers

Anita Lopez, Bishop Robert Muench, and Ros Ellender

Saturday Night Banquet

CDA Convention Store

Court St. Francis of Assisi #1915 making rosaries for the convention bags

Various Courts helping to stuff convention bags

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State Contest Winners

The judging of the reporting forms have taken place, and the winners were announced at the 47th Biennial LA State Convention in Baton Rouge on April 29, 2017. The first place winners were sent off to the CDA National Chairmen. Thank you to all the appointed state chairmen and their judges who dedicated many hours with this task. Thank you to the local Courts who submitted reports and for the work you do in these programs.

Circle of Love

Category Court Regent Quality of Life - 1st Notre Dame de la Paix #2316-Vacherie Susan Stein Quality of Life - 2nd St. Helena #2536-Amite Sandie Forshag Quality of Life - 3rd St. Joseph #1642 -Paulina Regaina Forsythe Legislation - 1st St. Theresa of Avila #1955-Gonzales Pam Melancon Legislation - 2nd Notre Dame de la Paix #2316-Vacherie Susan Stein Legislation - 3rd Our Lady of the Rosary #1613-Lafayette Imelda Touchet Family - 1st Notre Dame de la Paix #2316-Vacherie Susan Stein Family - 2nd Of the Visitation #1999-Moss Bluff Janet Lowery Family - 3rd St. Raphael #1377-Iowa Tammy Daigle Education - 1st Of the Visitation #1999-Moss Bluff Janet Lowery Education - 2nd Notre Dame #1452-Alexandria Elsie Campbell Education - 3rd Blessed Kateri Tekawitha #2331-Denham Springs Jeanne O’Neill Youth/JCDA - 1st St. Helena #2536-Amite Sandie Forshag Youth/JCDA - 2nd Of the Visitation #1999-Moss Bluff Janet Lowery Youth/JCDA - 3rd Regina Coeli #2063 - Baton Rouge Linda Jones Spiritual Enhancement - 1st St. Helena #2536-Amite Sandie Forshag Spiritual Enhancement - 2nd Our Lady of LaSalette #1255-Sulphur Linda Portie Spiritual Enhancement - 3rd St. John #1214-Plaquemine Carolyn Marchand

Scholarship - 8th Grade

Diocese Student Court Regent Baton Rouge Emily Deslatte St. John #1214-Plaquemine Carolyn Marchand Houma/Thibodaux Laura DeGravelle Genevieve of Paris #2496-Thibodaux Linda DeGirolamo Lafayette Celeste Frederick St. Paul #1434-Breaux Bridge Marcia Angelle Lake Charles Clara Zareck Lady of the Lake #695-Lake Charles Amanda Day

Diocese Student Court Regent Alexandria Madison Fruge Padre Pio #2141-Cottonport Sue White Baton Rouge Amanda St. Pierre St. Joseph #1642-Paulina Regaina Forsythe Houma/Thibodaux Eliza Zeringue Genevieve of Paris #2496-Thibodaux Linda DeGirolamo Lafayette Brooke Badeaux St. Paul #1434-Breaux Bridge Marcia Angelle Lake Charles Alyssa Foreman Of the Visitation #1999-Moss Bluff Janet Lowery

Scholarship - 12th Grade

Newsletter

Category/Division Court Regent 1st I/I Genevieve of Paris #2496-Thibodaux Linda DeGirolamo 2nd I/I Immaculata #503-Lafayette Debra Billeaud 3rd I/I Our Lady of the Rosary #1613-Lafayette Imelda Touchet

1st I/II Notre Dame #1452-Alexandria Elsie Campbell 2nd I/II St. Bridget of Sweden #2461-Schriever Mary Louviere

1st II/I Lady of the Lake #695-Lake Charles Amanda Day 2nd II/I St. Philip #1504-Vacherie Carol Ann Hymel 3rd II/I Mother Cabrini #1468-Jennings Barbara Lantz

1st II/II Regina Coeli-#2063-Baton Rouge Linda Jones 2nd II/II Theresa of Avila #1955-Gonzales Pam Melancon 3rd II/II St. Francis of Assisi #1915-Baton Rouge Linda LeBlanc 1st Theresa of Avila #1955-Gonzales Pam Melancon

Website

Small tokens of sincere consideration or love carry messages far beyond their size. Karl-Hans Von Fremde

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E D U C A T I O N

C O N T E S T

1st Place Name Category Division Sponsoring Court Paul Toups Art Division I St. Genevieve of Paris #2496-Thibodaux Luke DeLaune Art Division II St. Albert the Great #2059-Hammond Emily Rogers Art Division II Assumption #1672-Franklin Patricia Ryan Art Division IV St. Francis of Assisi #1915-Baton Rouge Austin Hebert Poetry Division I St. Francis #1915-Iota Collin Faucheux Poetry Division II Assumption #1672-Franklin Lucy Brown Poetry Division III Eunice #208-Eunice Gretchen Chaumont Poetry Division IV St. Francis #1519-Iota John Andrew Uze Essay Division I Assumption #1672-Franklin Sadie Cazenave Essay Division II St. Joseph #1642-Paulina Maggie Morton Essay Division III St. Joan of Arc #1334-LaPlace Payton Carroll Computer Art Division I St. John #1214-Plaquemine Nicholas Boudreaux Computer Art Division II Mother Cabrini #1468-Jennings No Entriy Computer Art Division III Dawn Fortenberry Computer Art Division IV Saints Anne and Anthony #2698-Sorrento No Entry Music Division II No Entry Music Division III Grant Fritsche Photo Division II Divine Mercy #2318-Baton Rouge Edward Soileau Photo Division III St. Francis #1519-Iota Dawn Fortenberry Photo Division IV Saints Anne and Anthony #2698-Sorrento

2nd Place Jaelah Long Art Division I St. Joseph #1642-Paulina Lily Luke Art Division II Cardinal Gibbons #177-Houma Caitlyn Taylor Art Division II Regina Pacis #1372-Natchitoches Sandra Rogers Art Division IV Assumption #1672-Franklin Tess Hoychick Poetry Division I Cardinal Gibbons #177-Houma Annie Bates Poetry Division II St. John #1214-Plaquemine Dylan Bennett Poetry Division III Regina Pacis #1372-Natchitoches Linda Portie Poetry Division IV Our Lady of LaSalette #1255-Sulphur Ethan Comb Essay Division I St. Paul #1434-Baton Rouge Abbie Bayham Essay Division II St. John #1214-Plaquemine Sean Grappe Essay Division III Regina Pacis #1372-Natchitoches Cade Pellerin Computer Art Division I Assumption #1672-Franklin Blake Miller Computer Art Division II Assumption #1672-Franklin No Entriy Computer Art Division III No Entry Computer Art Division IV No Entry Music Division II No Entry Music Division III Alix Winfree Photo Division II Regina Pacis #1372-Natchitoches Noel Johnson Photo Division III Assumption #1672-Franklin Sondra Broussard Photo Division IV St, Theresa of Avila #1955-Gonzales

3rd Place Ethan Toups Art Division I Assumption #1672-Franklin Pumi Domangue Art Division II St. Joseph #1642-Paulina Callie Henry Art Division II St. Joan of Arc #1334-LaPlace Morgan Melancon Art Division IV St, Theresa of Avila #1955-Gonzales Shai Whitehead Poetry Division I Assumption #1672-Franklin Megan Ughovwa Poetry Division II Our Lady of Fatima #1506-Lake Charles Maggie Morton Poetry Division III St. Joan of Arc #1334-LaPlace Peggy Landry Poetry Division IV Assumption #1672-Franklin Caroline Spencer Essay Division I Padre Pio #2141-Cottonport Cole Broussard Essay Division II St. Francis #1519-Iota Aleksandra Adams Essay Division III Assumption #1672-Franklin Maggie Prados Computer Art Division I St. Paul #1434-Breaux Bridge Jonah LeBlanc Computer Art Division II St. Paul #1434-Breaux Bridge No Entriy Computer Art Division III No Entry Computer Art Division IV No Entry Music Division II No Entry Music Division III Cain LeBlanc Photo Division II St. Joseph #1642-Paulina Stephen Mayeux Photo Division III Regina Pacis #1372-Natchitoches Susan Benjamin Photo Division IV Divine Mercy #2318-Baton Rouge

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Three CDA Members in the Back of a Police Car? On their trip home from the LA State CDA Convention on Sunday, April 30th, three members of CDA Court St. Francis #1519-Iota got the ride of their lives. Regent Marlene Gotte, District Deputy Anita Dupre, and Court Member Mary Guillory had a flat tire on 4 Mile Bridge on US 190. This was in the vicinity of the fatal accident that had happened only days earlier, and road debris was probably the cause. There are no exits or shoulders on this bridge. When they called for assistance, Deputy Garrett Bergeron with the Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Department came to their aid. Because it is

such a rural area, OnStar could not guarantee a wrecker to arrive before dark. The Deputy called for wrecker service and stayed with them. It was too hazardous for the wrecker service to change the tire on the bridge, so the car was towed to the nearest service station at the end of the bridge. This young police officer (only 22 years old and newly married) also brought them to the service station. They were grateful for his service, care, and compassion. Regent Marlene Gotte said that there are NO door handles on the passenger doors of a police car! They would like to ask you, our CDA Sisters, to keep ALL Louisiana police forces and LA National Guardsmen in your prayers.

State Membership Drive Winners - October 1, 2016 - March 31, 2017 1-85 Members 86+ Members 1st - St. Martin de Porres #2659-Lake Charles 1st - Assumption #1672-Franklin 2nd - St. Catherine Laboure #2701-French Settlement 2nd - Our Lady of LaSalette #1255-Sulphur 3rd - Our Lady of the Rosary #1613-Lafayette 3rd - St. Joseph #1642-Paulina

Convention Friday Night Social Revisiting Our Louisiana Cultures To join in on the fun, we had asked that each local Court attending the convention be creative and submit a small to medium-sized centerpiece for the dinner tables, using objects native to Louisiana, such as shrimp, crawfish/crawfish traps, crabs/crab traps, alligators, pelicans, magnolia flowers, pirogues, oil derricks, shrimp boats, fleur-de-leis, rice, cotton bolls, etc. Pictured below are the winners: 1st place - St. Albert the Great #2050-Hammond, Colleen Scarle; 2nd place - Our Lady of Fatima #1506-Lake Charles, Katrina Pickett; and 3rd place - Lady of the Lake #695-Lake Charles, Amanda Martin and Claire Shearman. The Court winners will each receive one registration for the 48th Biennial LA State Convention.

1st place 2nd place 3rd place

Find Father Pierre A picture of Father Pierre (pictured to the left) will be appearing somewhere else in each of the LA State CDA newsletters for 2017-2019. Scan each of the newsletters and see if you can find him! One winner will be chosen from entries received. Contest will begin with the June, 2017, newsletter and end March 1, 2019. Drawing will be held at our LA State CDA 48th Biennial Convention. Please tell us where you found Father Pierre by emailing your entry to mkfills@suddenlink.net or mail to Karen Fills, Newsletter Editor, 1513 Anita Street, Sulphur, LA 70663. You will have several chances of winning the contest prize of $50.00 for your Court if you enter the contest after each

issue of the newsletter. Have fun and enjoy getting to know our LA State CDA newsletters a little better!

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Newly Appointed Circle of Love Chairmen - 2017-2019

Circle of Love - Education Elaine Trahan 4011 Drozan Court Lake Charles, LA 70605 337-474-0178 ebtfiligree@hotmail.com

Circle of Love - Quality of Life Claire Amedee 1711 Hwy 18 Vacherie, LA 70090 225-265-3741 stphilipcwa@gmail.com

Circle of Love - Youth/JCDA Linda Portie 1001 Michelle Drive Sulphur, LA 70663 337-485-6486 linda.portie@gmail.com

Circle of Love - Membership/Leadership Virginia Fisher 905 Rue Cannes Hammond, LA 70403 985-543-0878

Circle of Love - Family Donna Young 617 Windermere Boulevard Alexandria, LA 71303 318-473-0444 dhly7@aol.com

Circle of Love - Legislation Linda Breaux 4027 Joseph Street Lake Charles, LA 70605 337-478-5719 lbreaux48@suddenlink.net

Circle of Love - Spiritual Enhancement Carolyn McCalip 5036 Holloway Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70808 225-572-1644 mccalip@aol.com

Newly Appointed State Chairmen - 2017-2019

Membership and Development Dawn Fortenberry 44475 Daniel Guidry Road St. Amant, LA 70774 225-324-8610 dawniecda@yahoo.com

JCDA State Chairman Pam Melancon 9325 Jeff Street Gonzales, LA 70737 225-937-1135 pammelancon17@gmail.com

Public Relations Janet Doucet 722 E. Second Street Jennings, LA 70546 337-824-4409 cesouir@aol.com

Website Joyce Stein 19415 Paul Stein Street Vacherie, LA 70090 225-206-0375 joycestein@bellsouth.net

LA State CDA Convention Chairmen Marilyn Broussard 337-794-9992 Karen Fills 337-304-8424

Newsletter Tracy LeMieux 319 W. Claude Street Lake Charles, LA 70605 337-540-2968 tracycda1785@gmail.com

Circle of Love - Scholarship Pat Myers 802 Sundale Drive Lake Charles, LA 70607 337-513-9301 patmyers@dolc.org

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Newly Appointed District Deputy Assignments 2017-2019

Diocese of Alexandria Diocese of Lafayette Archdiocese of New Orleans Linda Gauthier Linda Ancona Diane Grego Sue Keller Anita Dupre Trisha Crombie Maurena LaBorde Christine Gaspard Ann Langlinais

Diocese of Baton Rouge Cindy LeBlanc

Barbara Dugas Yvonne Normand Diocese of Shreveport Crystal Holdridge Betty Soileau Edna Zirkle Helen Gravois Bonnie Viator Carol Landry

Sheila Moore Diocese of Lake Charles Colleen Scarle Aline Babineaux Barbara Schmitt Melina Dally Karen Fills

Diocese of Houma/Thibodaux Barbara Lantz Bernadette Mabile Christie Melancon Fabian Whitney Cindy Vincent

The La Bonne Nouvelle Des Amis Newsletter will be published four times a year (September, December, March, and June). We will be highlighting each District Deputy with the schedule listed below. We are asking the District Deputies to send a short paragraph to Karen Fills, LA State CDA Newsletter editor, by the 15th of the month before the newsletter is published. If you do not send an article in at your scheduled time, it will not be accepted at a later date.

Newsletter Diocese District Deputy Name September 2017 Alexandria Sue Keller

September 2017 Baton Rouge Barbara Schmitt

September 2017 Lafayette Linda Ancona

September 2017 Lake Charles Aline Babineaux

December 2017 Alexandria Maureen LaBorde

December 2017 Baton Rouge Barbara Dugas

December 2017 Houma/Thibodaux Bernadette Mabile

December 2017 Lafayette Bonnie Viator

December 2017 Lake Charles Melina Dally

December 2017 Shreveport Edna Zirkle

March 2018 Baton Rouge Sheila Moore

March 2018 Houma/Thibodaux Fabian Whitney

March 2018 Lafayette Anita Dupre

March 2018 Lafayette Christine Gaspard

March 2018 Lake Charles Cindy Vincent

March 2018 New Orleans Diane Grego

June 2018 Alexandria Linda Gauthier

June 2018 Baton Rouge Carol Landry

June 2018 Lafayette Cindy LeBlanc

June 2018 Lake Charles Christie Melancon

September 2018 Baton Rouge Crystal Holdridge

September 2018 Lafayette Betty Soileau

September 2018 Lake Charles Barbara Lantz

December 2018 Baton Rouge Colleen Scarle

December 2018 Lafayette Ann Langlinais

December 2018 New Orleans Trisha Crombie

March 2019 Baton Rouge Helen Gravois

March 2019 Lafayette Yvonne Normand

March 2019 Lake Charles Karen Fills

13

The La Bonne Nouvelle Des Amis Newsletter will be published four times a year (September, December, March, and June). We will be highlighting each local Court with the schedule listed below. We are asking the Regents to send a short paragraph with a JPEG photo to Karen Fills, LA State CDA Newsletter editor, by the 15th of the month before the newsletter is published. If you do not send an article in at your Court scheduled time, it will not be accepted at a later date.

Newsletter Diocese Court # Court Name September 2017 Lafayette 119 St Landry

September 2017 Houma/Thibodaux 177 Cardinal Gibbons

December 2017 Shreveport 197 Castile

March 2018 Lafayette 208 Eunice

December 2017 Lafayette 503 Immaculata

March 2019 Lake Charles 695 Lady of the Lake

March 2018 Lafayette 793 St Martin

June 2018 Lafayette 801 St Mary Magdalene

December 2017 Baton Rouge 809 Isabela

September 2018 Lafayette 844 Rayne

September 2017 New Orleans 868 Mater Dei

June 2018 Alexandria 968 St Anthony

December 2017 Houma/Thibodaux 993 Anna Maria

March 2018 Houma/Thibodaux 1134 Massabielle

March 2018 Shreveport 1144 St Matthew

June 2018 Baton Rouge 1194 St Rose De Lima

March 2018 Baton Rouge 1214 St John

December 2017 Lake Charles 1233 Stella Maris

September 2017 Lake Charles 1255 Our Lady of LaSalette

March 2018 New Orleans 1334 St Joan of Arc

December 2018 Lafayette 1353 Mystical Rose

September 2017 Alexandria 1372 Regina Pacis

December 2017 Lake Charles 1377 St Raphael

December 2017 Lafayette 1401 Our Lady of Good Counsel

September 2017 Lafayette 1434 St Paul

March 2019 Lafayette 1445 Pere Maltrait

September 2018 Alexandria 1452 Notre Dame

December 2017 Alexandria 1459 Bishop Desmond

March 2018 Lake Charles 1468 Mother Cabrini

December 2017 Baton Rouge 1504 St Philip

June 2018 Lake Charles 1506 Our Lady of Fatima

March 2018 Lafayette 1519 St Francis

June 2018 Lafayette 1531 Immaculate Conception

September 2018 Lafayette 1537 Alice Boucher

September 2018 Lake Charles 1573 Father Charles Kirk

December 2018 Lafayette 1613 Our Lady of the Rosary

December 2018 New Orleans 1626 Madonna

September 2017 Baton Rouge 1642 St Joseph

March 2019 Lafayette 1670 Our Lady of Lourdes

March 2018 Lafayette 1672 Assumption

December 2018 Lafayette 1674 Sacred Heart of Jesus

September 2017 Lafayette 1693 St Therese

December 2017 Lafayette 1705 St Peter

September 2017 Shreveport 1761 Monsignor J V Plauche

September 2018 Baton Rouge 1764 St Jude

December 2018 Lake Charles 1785 Our Lady Queen of Heaven

June 2018 Houma/Thibodaux 1848 Our Lady of Perpetual Help

September 2018 Houma/Thibodaux 1883 Pope Pius X

14

The La Bonne Nouvelle Des Amis Newsletter will be published four times a year (September, December, March, and June). We will be highlighting each local Court with the schedule listed below. We are asking the Regents to send a short paragraph with a JPEG photo to Karen Fills, LA State CDA Newsletter editor, by the 15th of the month before the newsletter is published. If you do not send an article in for your Court scheduled time, it will not be accepted at a later date.

Newsletter Diocese Court # Court Name March 2018 Baton Rouge 1915 St Francis of Assisi

March 2019 Baton Rouge 1955 St. Theresa of Avila

December 2018 Baton Rouge 1960 St George

March 2018 Lake Charles 1964 Our Lady of Grace

December 2018 Lake Charles 1980 Our Lady of the Snows

March 2018 Lake Charles 1985 Our Lady Queen of Peace

December 2018 Lake Charles 1986 St Joseph the Worker

June 2018 Lafayette 1997 St Jules

September 2018 Lake Charles 1999 Of the Visitation

December 2018 Alexandria 2029 Msgr Van Der Putten

December 2017 Baton Rouge 2050 St Albert the Great

September 2018 Baton Rouge 2063 Regina Coeli

March 2018 Alexandria 2072 Bishop Greco

June 2018 Baton Rouge 2079 St John the Baptist

March 2018 Baton Rouge 2080 St Michael the Archangel

June 2018 Alexandria 2141 Padre Pio

September 2018 Baton Rouge 2149 Our Lady of Pompeii

June 2018 Lake Charles 2153 St Barbara

September 2018 Lake Charles 2161 St Theodore

September 2017 New Orleans 2165 Lady of the Miraculous Medal

September 2018 Lafayette 2168 St Leo

December 2018 Lafayette 2214 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin

December 2017 Lake Charles 2293 Sancta Maria

December 2018 Baton Rouge 2303 St Jean Vianney

December 2017 Baton Rouge 2316 Notre Dame de la Paix

March 2019 Lafayette 2317 Our Lady of Guadalupe

September 2017 Baton Rouge 2318 Divine Mercy

September 2018 Lafayette 2321 Sts Peter and Paul

June 2018 Baton Rouge 2331 St. Kateri Tekakwitha

March 2019 Lake Charles 2388 Our Lady of the Americas

June 2018 Lafayette 2428 Blessed Sacrament

December 2018 Houma/Thibodaux 2461 St. Bridget of Sweden

March 2018 Lafayette 2490 St. Gregory

March 2018 Houma/Thibodaux 2496 Genevieve of Paris

September 2018 Baton Rouge 2536 St. Helena

December 2017 Lafayette 2550 Blessed Mother Teresa

September 2017 Lafayette 2572 Sacre Coeur

December 2017 Lafayette 2653 Our Lady of Humility

September 2017 Lake Charles 2659 St. Martin de Porres

June 2018 Baton Rouge 2678 St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland

September 2017 Lake Charles 2697 St. Katharine Drexel

December 2018 Baton Rouge 2698 Saints Anne and Anthony

March 2019 Baton Rouge 2701 St. Catherine Labouré

September 2017 Baton Rouge 2703 St. Louise de Marillac

March 2019 Baton Rouge 2713 Marie Pleine de Grâce

15

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16

JCDA Court Our Lady of LaSalette #1255- Sulphur participated in the Crowning of Mary at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Sulphur in May. Court JCDA St. Maria Goretti #1573-Lake Arthurt kicked off the year 2017 with a gathering of girls at the home of Rosie and Joey Shaw to view the movie “I Am Not Ashamed” along with pizza and water. The girls attended Mass as a group for National JCDA

weekend, and Father Jay Alexius read a proclamation from the Pope encour-aging all of the girls to smile. February brought a party filled with spiritually adopting the residents of the Jeff Davis Living Center in Jennings by making Valentine cards for them which included a prayer explaining their prayers for all. The girls also made leather and pearl bracelets with a medal of St. Maria Goretti attached to them. Kaye Hackett and Priscilla Parker were the instructors. The JCDA Court walked to raise money for the Meal Ministry of Lake Arthur. Heather Newman took charge of this Court activity. We had a Lenten scavenger hunt in March designed by Christie Yates. Christie led the members on a Pilgrimage in prayer to the church where they said the stations of the cross and she explained each station to them. Monday, April 17th, the girls met at Camelot Nursing home in Jennings with each girl bringing one dozen hard boiled Easter eggs to pock with the residents. All of the eggs were left for the residents to enjoy for lunch. The month of May brought the crowning of the Blessed

Virgin Mary in our church. The girls proceeded into church together. Father Alexius blessed the wreath and Morgan Woods crowned Our Lady of the Lake. The JCDA Court leaders are Kathleen Gage and Morgan Woods.

Congratulations to Alyssa Foreman, President of JCDA Court Of Visitation #1999. This Sam Houston High School senior received the Court of Visitation #1999 annual $1000 scholarship. She also received the Louisiana State CDA scholarship of $200. Pictured in photo from left to right: Susan McHugh, Melissa Reeves, Alyssa Foreman, Lara Guidroz, and Rita Carrier.

17

Congratulations on the Following Court Anniversaries

June 8, 1952-Our Lady of the Rosary #1613 - Lafayette -65 years June 19, 2004-St. Helena #2536 - Amite - 13 years June 21, 1976-Our Lady of Pompeii #2149 - Tickfaw - 41 years June 23, 1912-Cardinal Gibbons #177 - Houma - 105 years June 29, 1956-Our Lady Queen of Heaven #1785 - Lake Charles - 61 years June 30, 2012-St. Martin de Porres #2659 - Lake Charles - 5 years

July 1, 1951-Fr. Charles Kirk #1573 - Lake Arthur - 66 years July 9, 1989-Notre Dame de la Paix #2316 - Vacherie - 28 years July 10, 1932-St. Rose de Lima #1194 - Duplessis - 85 years July 10, 1972-Regina Coeli #2063 - Baton Rouge - 45 years July 20, 1953-St. Joseph #1642 - Paulina - 64 years July 24, 1988-St. Jean Vianney #2303 - Baton Rouge - 29 years

August 12, 2006-Sacre' Coeur #2572 - Baldwin - 11 years August 13, 1989-Our Lady of Guadalupe #2317 - Carencro - 28 years August 25, 1929-Massabielle #1134 - Morgan City - 88 years August 26, 1989-Divine Mercy #2318 - Baton Rouge - 28 years

Save the Date March 28-31, 2019

Catholic Daughters of the Americas 48th Biennial Louisiana State Convention

Sulphur, Louisiana West-Cal Event Center

"Serve one another humbly in love" Galations 5:13

No Excuse Sunday To make it possible for everyone to attend church next Sunday, we are going to have a special “NO EXCUSE SUNDAY.” Cots will be placed in the foyer for those who say, “Sunday is my only day to sleep in.” There will be a special section with lounge chairs for those who feel our pews are too hard. Eye drops will be available for those with tired eyes from watching TV late Saturday night. We will have steel helmets for those who say, “The roof would cave in if I ever came to church.” Blankets will be furnished for those who think the church is too cold and fans for those who say it is too hot. Scorecards will be available for those who wish to list the hypocrites present. Relatives and friends will be in attendance for those who can’t go to church and cook dinner too. We will distribute “Stamp Out Stewardship” buttons for those who feel that the church is always asking for money. One section will be devoted to trees and grass for those who like to see God in nature. Doctors and nurses will be in attendance for those who plan to be sick on Sunday. The sanctuary will be decorated with both Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies for those who never have seen the church without them. We will provide hearing aids for those who can’t hear the priest and cotton for those who can. Author unknown.

Husband: When I get mad at you, you never fight back or argue. How do you control your anger? Wife: I clean the toilet. Husband: How does cleaning the toilet help? Wife: I use your toothbrush.

18

Remember to pray for those in the military who are serving to protect our country.

As always, we hope this newsletter inspired you, made you think, and definitely made you laugh. Karen Fills, Newsletter Editor

On August 18, 2016, LA State CDA was given written copyright permission from Publisher Compendium Incorporated to use all the quotes in this newsletter. The name of the book is Thank You, In Appreciation of You, And All That You Do. The software programs used in this newsletter for some of the graphics/clipart are Microsoft Publisher, PrintMaster Version 18.1, and Broderbund. Some graphics were located by using the Bing search engine filtering system under “free to use and share” and/or “free to use, modify, and share.”

A Summer Prayer Father, Creator of all, thank you for summer!

Thank you for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight.

Thank you for the beauty I see all around me and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation.

Thank you for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family,

and for the more casual pace of the summer season. Draw me closer to You this summer.

Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing.

Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence and light my path with Your Word and Counsel.

As I enjoy Your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You.

Amen. www.ignatianspirituality.com

Save the Date The 57th Biennial National Convention of

the Catholic Daughters of the Americas

will be held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota,

July 18-21, 2018.

Be sure to put the dates on your calendar

and start raising funds so you can join

your CDA sisters from far and near at this

wonderful gathering!

The Committee to Study the Proposed Name Change In October, 2016, National Regent Helene Shepard contacted nine CDA members from across the country. She requested each serve on the committee to study the proposed change to the bylaws regarding the name of the order. Each of these women said yes and are now working on their assigned duties. Calling on the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, the team has identified eight areas to study: 1) procedure and steps to change a corporate name in the state of New York; 2) effects on our brand, our identity; 3) effects on banking; required steps due to name change; local, state and national; 4) supplies, paraphernalia, jewelry, brochures, etc.; 5) consideration of timing the change; should there be required milestones first?; 6) the Bylaws; how will this be integrated?; 7) international laws and their effect; and 8) JCDA. Each team member has been assigned two areas of study and has been teamed with another member. Over the next several months, we will communicate with our work partners as we carefully study each area. Periodically, we will meet by conference call or computer to share our findings. Each of us will also report to the team through email. Eventually, we hope to plan a long weekend together to finalize our written report. The team has agreed the duties of this committee are three-fold: 1) Gather information; 2) Make suggestions; 3) Report our findings in writing. The final decision will not be ours. We are charged with studying the necessary steps, costs, and consequences of making such a change. It is our duty to provide information for the members and the National Board to allow an educated decision based on facts and figures. Through this study, we hope to help lead the order to a strong future based on a well thought out plan. Our final report is to be included in a quarterly letter as well as published in SHARE Magazine. This will not be accomplished overnight. There are many, many questions in each of the eight areas. It is our hope to provide enough information to allow our members to make a good decision that will help carry our order forward. Please pray for us as we move forward in this study. We welcome comments and input. This is your organization as well as ours.