Everyone knows when there is a job to be done, it is best to ask the busiest person. In our area, there are three women who are busy and get the jobs done for their Catholic church parishes.
These women and others from various parishes in the city and suburbs will be recognized as Women of the Year by the Archdiocese of Chicago at a luncheon in their honor on Saturday, May 20 at Elmcrest Banquets in Elmwood Park.
St. Barbara Parish in Brookfield will recognize Dorothy Ball for her hard work. A parishioner since 1976, Dorothy has been active with the Council of Catholic Women and was a vital member of the committee which planned the parish’s 100 anniversary last fall.
Ball is also a lector and works with the missionary and environment committees. She has her green thumb ready, maintaining the parish garden from spring to fall.
Mater Christi Church in North Riverside will honor long time parishioner Judy Novak. Judy has been an important part of the parish, having worked as the school secretary for many years.
She is active with the Women’s Guild helping to set up for their monthly meetings; centerpieces on the tables are many times the result of Judy’s artful touch. She carries that through as she helps decorate the church for different holidays. A Eucharistic minister at the church, she is also head of the Eucharistic ministry.
Riverside’s St. Mary Parish has chosen Debbie Jensen as their Woman of the Year. Jensen and her family joined the parish in 1988 and she began volunteering when her two sons were attending St. Mary School. She even served on the school board.
Her willingness to help was not confined to just the school; she helped or chaired many of the parish-wide events, and for many years she was on the St. Mary Parish Council as a member and as chairwoman. As a member of the Council of Catholic Women she served as president and planned or helped to plan many of the activities of the organization.
And that’s just a sampling of the work done by these busy ladies. It is no wonder they have been named Women of the Year. Congratulations for all you have done and the leadership you have displayed within your parishes.
