The Springfield Diocesan Council of Catholic Women recognized 66 members with its first Our Lady of Good Counsel Women of Distinction awards on June 9 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. Awards were presented after Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki. Msgr. John Ossola, CCW spiritual advisor, and 16 priests were concelebrants, with other priests arriving in time for the awards presentation.
“I extend my deep gratitude to each of you,” Bishop Paprocki said to those being honored. He spoke about how prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel prevented a Christian town from being destroyed by an enemy invasion. He commended CCW women for their service and prayers, and for “the deep and unknown, but lasting consequence” of what they do on behalf of their faith.
Over 450 CCW members and officers from the seven deaneries, representatives from other women societies in the diocese, and family and friends of those being honored were at the Mass. A luncheon followed Mass at the Northfield Inn in Springfield, with Father Peter Harman, Cathedral pastor, the speaker.
Women of Distinction:
Alton Deanery
Alton, Ss. Peter and Paul – Elizabeth Cordes; Bethalto, Our Lady Queen of Peace – Mary Terry; Collinsville, Ss. Peter and Paul – Marilyn Welle; Glen Carbon, St. Cecilia – Geraldine Moeller; Greenville, St. Lawrence – Dorothy Knight; Highland, St. Paul – Joan Riffel; Madison, St. Mary and St. Mark – Jo Ann Barnett; Maryville, Mother of Perpetual Help – Jeanne Connors; Pierron, Immaculate Conception – Denise Lowell Wellen; Troy, St. Jerome – Carolyn Munie; Wood River, Holy Angels – Mary Barr
Decatur Deanery
Arcola, John the Baptist – Alice Rippey; Decatur, Our Lady of Lourdes – Lilly Eckert; Decatur, Ss. James and Patrick – Helen Sebok; Decatur, St. Thomas the Apostle – Phyllis Howley; North Arm, St. Aloysius – Jeanette Waller; Paris, St. Mary – Evelyn Ring; Sullivan, St. Columcille – Lucia Roney; Tuscola, Forty Martyrs – Carol Bauer
Effingham Deanery
Casey, St. Charles Borromeo – Marion Biemick; Charleston, St. Charles Borromeo – Laura Hussey; Dieterich, St. Isidore – Christy Repking; Effingham, Sacred Heart – Carol Toney, St. Anthony – Jeanne Fauss; Greenup, Christ the King – Toby Shupe; Marshall, St. Mary – Barb Igleheart; Mattoon, Immaculate Conception – Marguerite Bennett; Montrose, St. Rose – Evelyn Livingston; Oblong, Our Lady of Lourdes – Dorla Shook; Robinson, St. Elizabeth – Betty Dart; Shumway, St. Mary of the Annuciation – Florence Doedtman; Sigel, St. Michael – Betty Sudkamp, and Teutopolis, St. Francis of Assisi – Barb Runde.
Jacksonville Deanery
Brussels, Blessed Trinity – Marie Held; Greenfield, St. Michael – Barbara Rawe; Jacksonville, Our Savior – Sister M. Celianne Duello, OP; Jerseyville, Holy Ghost – Barbara Funk; Jerseyville, St. Francis Xavier – Maxine “Mickie” Prill; Winchester, St. Mark – Melissa Neff
Litchfield Deanery
Benld, St. Joseph – Margaret Frensko; Carlinville, Ss. Mary and Joseph – Sue Vieceli; Hillsboro, St. Agne nnadel LeBanc; Kincaid, St. Rita – Cindy Tilley; Litchfield, Holy Family – Kathy Skinner; Mt Olive, Blessed John Paul II – Ruth Mary Zubal; Nokomis, St. Louis – Pauline Pehanich; Ramsey, St. Joseph – Rose Finley; Staunton, St. Michael – Betsy Hemann; Taylorville, St. Mary – Anna Spurrier; Vandalia, Mother of Dolores – Rebecca Kerkhoff; Virden, Sacred Heart – Catherine Murphy
Quincy Deanery
Liberty, St. Brigid – Clara Niesen; Mendon, St. Edward – Agnes Voss (deceased); Pittsfield, St. Mary – Katherine Ingersoll; Quincy, Blessed Sacrament – Pat Lawrence; St. Joseph – Marie Gramke
Springfield Deanery
Riverton, St. James – Diane Linksvayer; Rochester, St. Jude – Nancy Calvert; Sherman, St. John Vianney – Audrey Voepel; Springfield, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception – Sue Warne; Christ the King – Jean Heroux; Little Flower – Nini Saner; St. Agnes – Kay McDonald; St. Cabrini – Marlyn Shaughnessy; St. Katherine Drexel – Mary Louise Curry