The Catholic Daughters of the Americas celebrate 100 years of serving God

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA) held their semi-annual conference at the Catholic Pastoral Center May 5–7 in Oklahoma City. A total of 11 courts from across the state gathered for a weekend of fellowship and spiritual growth.

“The Catholic Daughters’ 100th birthday is a phenomenal milestone to celebrate. It means those who have forged this path to where we are today have been credited with having the vision. We now have the vision to continue to serve God’s people by being the hands and feet of Jesus,” said Catholic Daughters of the Americas National Director, Minnesota, Nancy Bambenek.

This year’s theme was “Faith Moves Mountains,” and it was inspired by the Gospel Matthew 17:20: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Right Reverend Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., Abbot of St. Gregory's Abbey in Shawnee, gave a history presentation about the Catholic Church in Oklahoma, “A Testimony to the Providential Love of the God of History.” 

From the first missionary, a monk martyred in 1542, Juan de Padilla, to the establishment of Saint Gregory’s Abbey, formerly known as Sacred Heart Abbey, Abbot Lawrence spoke of the many obstacles the first Benediction French monks, and later Benediction Nuns, encountered to evangelize the Native American tribes that were forced to move to Indian Territory, and to establish the first Catholic Churches in the state.

“The first Mass was offered when the monks arrived at their new location at Sacred Heart. A full monastic observance at Sacred Heart began on June 7, 1877, about a year and a half after they first arrived in Indian Territory. It was the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is our community’s name: The Benedictine Monks of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I like June 7, 1877, as the foundation day as the day prayers began and continue to this day,” Abbot Lawrence said.

He added that Native American tribes in Oklahoma helped establish the first Catholic Church.

“A big complex of buildings was constructed with the help of the local Potawatomi Indians and the local tribes; the Seminole and Sac n’ Fox. I want to emphasize that the Catholic Church in Oklahoma is tied to Native American people. I have been told by elders and others that Native American Catholics sometimes feel overlooked because they are such a small population. But the foundation of the Church in Oklahoma goes to Native American peoples.”  
He touched on the establishment of Saint Patrick Indian Mission in Anadarko that served the Caddo, Cheyenne, Comanche, Delaware and Kiowa tribes, among others, and of the establishment of three schools for African American children in Langston and near Muskogee, the establishment of more than 40 parishes in Oklahoma, as well as the “Indian Advocate” newspaper. 

A collection was taken for Saint Gregory’s Abbey to help with the damage during the April 22 tornado in Shawnee. 

Following lunch, Abbot Lawrence talked about the theme of the CDA convention.

When talking about the history and foundation of the Catholic Church in Oklahoma, he said it was an example of moving mountains.

“They believed they were accomplishing what they were to accomplish in the name of the Lord. They had faith. In the face of all kinds of obstacles, poverty, minority status percussion and natural disasters, they persevered in faith and were able to move mountains. We have seen the flower of their faith blossom to what it is today,” Abbot Lawrence said.

During the meeting, the Catholic Daughters donated to the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, the Porta Caeli House and the seminarian fund. A memorial was held for the CDA members who passed within the last two years.

In addition to the many speakers and activities during the convention, Catholic Daughters also had opportunities to participate in adoration, confession and an Induction Mass for the new officers. The Comanche Youth Dancers from Lawton gave a special presentation of different dance demonstrations with a live drum of singers. A plentiful silent auction also helped raise money for the state court.

The Catholic Daughters of the Year:
Court Santa Maria in Midwest City – Amy Otto
Court Salve Regina in El Reno – Sherri Koos
Court St. Teresa in Chickasha – Marilyn ‘LaNell’ James
Court Bishop Kelly in Okmulgee - Jeanne Thornhill
Court Holy Trinity in Okarche – Debbie Crossley
Court Christ the King in Harrah – Novalyn Greff
Court Queenship of Mary in Tulsa – Debra Craven Moss
Court Our Lady of Lourdes in Enid – Julie Kimber
Court St. Mary of Guthrie – Donna Le
Court St. Francis of Peace in Altus – Beverly Johnson
Court St. Jude in Lawton – Pam Middleton

The Circle of Love awards were given on May 7; the Circle of Love has seven points that indicate the needs of the Church and community best served by the Catholic Daughters. The program itemizes these needs with suggestions on how Catholic Daughters can effectively serve.

The Circle of Love awards, In Leadership, Queenship of Mary and Christ the King were awarded.
In Legislature, Queenship of Mary 
In Education, Queenship of Mary
Spirituality, Christ the King, St. Jude, Salve Regina, and Queenship of Mary
Quality of Life, Salve Regina, St. Francis, Queenship of Mary and Christ the King
Youth, Queenship of Mary, St. Francis, and Christ the King. 
Karen Dudash, CDA State Regent of Oklahoma

“Oklahoma Catholic women are giving spiritual, wonderful individuals who share their love of God with their families, community and the world. They are women of faith who express their gifts in awesome ways, and we are blessed to have them here in our state,” said Karen Dudash, CDA state regent.

The next conference will be in 2025, with a National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2024. For more information about the CDA, visit catholicdaughters.org.

Jolene Schonchin is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic. 

Photo: (above) The Catholic Daughters of the Americas State Chaplain Fr. Jim Caldwell, National Director Nancy Bambenek, and new state officers: Laura Hamilton, Jo Ella Newbury, Martha Dudash, Karen Huber and Debra Brzozowski. Photo Jolene Schonchin/Sooner Catholic.


The Catholic Daughters of the Year from the 11 courts were honored at a banquet on May 6 during the conference. Photo Jolene Schonchin/Sooner Catholic