The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Courts from Alice, Premont, San Diego, Freer, Falfurrias, Kingsville, Robstown, Corpus Christi, Odem, Taft, Hebbronville, Benavides, Portland, and Aransas Pass, gathered Saturday morning, April 5, 2014, for a CDA Multi District Meeting hosted by Court 2584 Daughters of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Alice.
    The gathering began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharistic Liturgy and Reception of new members con-celebrated by Monsignor Leonard Pivonka, Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish and Spiritual Chaplain to Court 2584; Rev. Julian Cabrera, Pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, and Spiritual Chaplain to Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Court 2426, and Rev. Pete Elizardo, Pastor at St. Joseph Parish and Spiritual Chaplain to Court 1770 St. Jude Thaddeus.
    Catholic Daughters of the Americas Texas State Regent Peggy Rosales, from Austin; First Vice State Regent Eve Trevino, Corpus Christi; and Second Vice State Regent Rosie Stockwell, of Edinburg, joined the more than 230 CDA members.
    Twenty-five women pledged to be new members of CDA and to become servants through their Courts. Monsignor Pivonka, during his reflection spoke of the history of CDA and it's inception in 1903 by the Knights of Columbus. Monsignor expressed an appreciation for all that CDA women do to serve their Parish Priest and communities.
    Rev. Pete Elizardo was the keynote speaker at the lunch meeting that followed in the St. Joseph Parish Hall. Fr. Pete reminded the ladies the motto of CDA is "Unity and Charity" and to be charitable in the community, one must be charitable to self and with each other. State officers gave updates on future conventions, projects and programs.
    Mayor Larry Martinez was a guest at the luncheon and presented Court 2584 Regent Martha Orem with a proclamation proclaiming Saturday, April 5, 2014, Catholic Daughters of the Americas Multi District Day.