MONROE — St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks, endured physical and emotional suffering during her young life. She survived a smallpox epidemic that killed her immediate family, but suffered terrible facial scars. Raised by her uncle, the chief of her tribe, she was ridiculed and ostracized for her conversion to Catholicism at 19. Named the first Native American saint, she has become known as a powerful intercessor for young women.
Her feast day of July 14 was selected for a special retreat for young women of the diocese. Held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, the one-day retreat was a chance for more than 80 young women to talk about their challenges in life, share their experiences, reaffirm their dignity as children of God, and deepen their faith. The parish ordered a special statue of the saint, and it arrived just in time for the event.
Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor, said he felt it was important to celebrate St. Kateri’s feast day with this retreat because he is aware of the many problems that young women suffer from in today’s culture. Those issues range from eating disorders, hypersexualization and pressure to have premarital sex, physical or emotional abuse, cutting and self-injury, and even attempted suicide.
More than 80 middle and high school aged girls from seven parishes came to the retreat, which featured talks by religious, clergy and laity, as well as Mass and time for reflection and fellowship.
“God has determined your identity as a beloved daughter,” Father Roberts told them. “No one else gets that choice – not your parents, not your friends, not the nice people at school, not the mean people at school.
“Advertisers don’t get to determine your identity. The world doesn’t get to determine your identity. Almighty God from all eternity has determined your identity and made it present and real for you at a particular moment at your baptism. So what God had planned from all eternity, He gave to you at a particular time and called you by name.”
Catholic convert Katie Holder also spoke to the young women about their physical and spiritual well-being.
In her work as a dietician, Holder treats people with eating disorders and she herself struggled with anorexia in her teens and early 20s. She is now a mother of three, with her fourth child due soon.
A parishioner of Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro, Holder and her family stay close to the sacraments, which she encouraged the young women to do – especially amid the pressure which society places on them to look perfect. She also encouraged them to stop comparing themselves to others.
“God designed you specifically how you are supposed to be,” she told them. “God doesn’t care what our outside looks like but what our inside, what our hearts look like.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Under motto 'Unity and Charity,' CDA holds convention
CHARLOTTE — Essie Walker, a member of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte, has been elected a national director of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas – the first African-American from North Carolina in this top leadership position.
Walker, state regent of North Carolina for the CDA, was named to the post during the organization's 56th biennial national convention in Pittsburgh July 20-24. One of nine national directors, she will begin a two-year term starting in September.
The CDA is the oldest and largest Catholic women's group in the Americas. Formed in 1903 in Utica, N.Y., as a women's auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, today it numbers 68,000 members in more than 1,300 courts in 45 states across the country, as well as Puerto Rico, Mexico, Peru, Guam and the Virgin Islands.
The national convention emphasized the CDA's motto, "Unity and Charity," and Walker sees the role of the CDA within the Church as one of fostering unity and inclusion.
The first African-American from North Carolina to hold the position of national director, Walker emphasizes the importance of unity in her own leadership style, making it a personal mission to connect with other members of the CDA.
"I believe that the best way to serve your people is through including everyone," she says.
Walker has been a member of Our Lady of Consolation Church for more than 30 years, where she helped to start a seniors group. Beginning in her parish and continuing with her service in the CDA, she has always been compelled to build connections in the community. She sees the organization as an opportunity for women of the Church to establish connections with one another.
"I feel that the CDA allows women to bond with one another through their faith," Walker says.
Walker has held other leadership positions in the CDA, beginning as treasurer and rising to state regent for North Carolina.
"My philosophy as a leader is: to be a good leader you must learn to follow," Walker says.
Walker sees her position in the CDA also as a way to encourage more women to get involved in the Church.
"I hope other African-Americans will see an opportunity through my election. I hope I inspire other women to strive for their goals," she says.
The CDA convention featured a keynote speech by Bishop Donald J. Kettler of St. Cloud, Minn. Outgoing national regent Shirley Seyfried welcomed the newly elected national officers, who were installed at a Mass and ceremony July 23 by Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik.
— Rachel McKimmon, Intern; William Cone of Catholic News Service contributed.