Brenda Ames

Vice President and Membership Chair

Email: fragile824@gmail.com

Phone: 714-325-4278

“These are women who have exemplified the heart of Mary in their everyday life,” said Fr. Christopher Smith, pastor emeritus of Christ Cathedral, who served as presenter.

The event was hosted by the Catholic Charities Auxiliary, a group that supports Catholic Charities of Orange County through outreach, fundraising and community service. The theme for this year’s event, which also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Charities Auxiliary, was the “Heart of Mary.” “At this amazing event, we acknowledge inspirational women, who, by saying yes to serve the Lord have made a profound impact on our parishes, our schools and our ministries,” event chairwoman Karen Castro said. “The auxiliary has chosen the theme, Heart of Mary, because these women replicate the commitment and the devotion that our Blessed Mother had.” The benefit dinner serves as a fundraiser for New Hope Counseling Services, which provides mental health programs at several diocesan elementary schools. Funds also support the Cantlay Food Distribution Center, which has fed more than 35,000 underserved families so far this year.

Inspirational Catholic Women of the Year 2024 Honorees:

Dr. Maria Abello-Fider, Corpus Christi, Aliso Viejo
Angela Aranda, Holy Family, Orange
Mary Ann Barnes, St. Anne, Seal Beach
Kim Brown, St. Martin de Porres, Yorba Linda

Krista Corbello, The GIVEN Institute
Minerva Diaz Conkle, Pope John Paul II Polish Center, Yorba Linda
Grace Francis, St. Irenaeus, Cypress
Rosa Gaona, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Santa Ana
Sue Goldberg, St. Hedwig, Los Alamitos
Lynn Hearn, St. Bonaventure, Huntington Beach
Susan Heffron, Orange County Cursillo
Linda Henry, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Irvine
Katie Hughes, Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry
Diana Leary, Holy Trinity, Ladera Ranch
Liza Lower, Santa Clara de Asis, Yorba Linda
Dorothy Morehouse, Saints Simon & Jude, Huntington Beach
Ellen Myers, Holy Family, Orange
Maria del “Carmen” Rozatti, Christ Cathedral, Garden Grove
Karna Sadayasu, St. Edward the Confessor School, Dana Point
Ida Smith, St. Martin de Porres, Yorba Linda
Vanessa Suarez, Catholic Charities of Orange County
Joy Ward, St. John Neumann, Irvine

Event Image Gallery

ICW 2024 Video Page

This year’s Inspirational Catholic Women event was a huge success!! For the first time ever, the event was held as a benefit dinner. Over 300 attendees heard the amazing ways this year’s 22 honorees shine as “Servants for Christ” in their communities. Three Auxiliary Legacy members were given special recognition as well. Amy D’Ambra, CEO & Founder of My Saint My Hero, inspired attendees to boldly proclaim the love of Christ to all around them. Sophie Zatoka, accompanied by pianist Jennifer Waleczek, gave a stunning opera performance that was nothing short of ethereal.

Inspirational Catholic Women of the Year 2023 Honorees:

Paka Anderson | St. Kilian Catholic Church, Jean Bauman | St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Darlene Boyd | St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Gretchen Dinger | Saint Anne Catholic Church Seal Beach, Millie Estrada | St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church; San Felipe de Jesus Chapel, Dee Evelo | San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church, Julie Foy | Servite High School, Dawn Gallagher | Saint Irenaeus Catholic Church, Susan Hamar | Servite High School, Cynthia Hyink | Saints Simon & Jude Catholic Church, Cindy Jimenez | St. Pius V Catholic Church, Carol LaVigne | St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, Carol Meckler | Saint Hedwig Catholic Church, Missey Moe-Cook | Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Megan Morris | Holy Family Catholic Church, Dr. Elysabeth Nguyen | Christ Cathedral Parish, Kathy Robinson | Orange County Cursillo, Irma Lourice Saba | Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Marge Shillington | St Anne School, Becky Tamondong | Santa Clara de Asis Catholic Church, Diane Gomez Valenzuela | Cristo Rey Orange County High School, Pat Wong | Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Church

Event Image Gallery

ICW 2023 Video Page

ICW 2022 Honorees receive a blessing from Msgr. Stephen Doktorczyk at the Christ Cathedral Arboretum.

Friday, April 29, 2022 Christ Cathedral Arboretum Garden Grove, California

Inspirational Catholic Women of the Year 2022 Honorees:

Lennie Arazo‐Davis | St. Irenaeus, Barbara Baldo | St. Martin de Porres, Cris Cordova | St. Martin de Porres, Alma Cortes | St. Joachim, Patricia Gaby | San Antonio de Padua, Rose Girton | St. Martin de Porres, Lisa Grace | Our Lady of Fatima, Hannah Irvine | St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Patty Keil | St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Tamie Kosidowski | San Francisco Solano, Mary Murray | St. Hedwig, Carol Nasr | St. Joachim, Janet Prodan | St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Lotte Rindt | San Antonio de Padua, Catharine Scalise | San Antonio de Padua, Joan Steen | Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Kathy Stephens | Orange County Cursillo, Kathryn Stoddard | St. Anne, Seal Beach, Ellen Vinck | Holy Trinity, Marie Welsch | St. Timothy, Teresa Wyszomirski | St. John Paul II Polish Center, Ann Yates | St. John Neumann, Maria Zarate | Immaculate Heart of Mary

With over 400 guests in attendance at the Annual Catholic Charities Auxiliary Women of the Year Benefit Luncheon celebrated on May 20^th, at the Delta Hotel by Marriott, Mrs. Monica Kovach was named as the 2019 Catholic Woman of the Year.  Most Rev. Bishop Kevin Vann recognized the 21 nominees representing 18 parishes and two Diocesan groups.

Mrs. Kovach has served in numerous leadership roles spanning from Sunday School and First Communion Instructor, Pastoral Care/Health Ministry Secretary, Eucharistic Minister, Altar Linen Minister, Prayer Shawl Minister and Parish School crocheting instructor.  In her community she has served as Volunteer Service Council President, Capital Campaign Committee member, Hospitality Chair, Curatorial Faux Food craftsman, Floral Team lead designer and even started a Boy Scouts of America troop!  She is also a member of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force.  She is most proud of her involvement as Chair for the Parish Health Ministry Board and Core group, where she oversees 13 ministries; as founding member and Co-chair of Bridge of Light, an anti- human trafficking ministry as well as being the Founder and Chair of the Parish Labyrinth Ministry.  Her unwavering servant leadership qualities have exemplified her time of service for more than 30 years.  Monica is married and has two children.  Congratulations to Monica Kovach, who was nominated by St. Irenaeus Parish in Cypress!

Catholic Charities of Orange County and the Catholic Charities Auxiliary congratulate Mrs. Christy Frank, who was elected Catholic Woman of the Year 2018!  She is a parishioner at Our Lady Queen of Angels in Newport Beach.  Christy has a deep passion to serve within her community, and her leadership skills have taken her to successfully fulfill various leadership roles for several organizations. She is currently the Parent Board President at Mater Dei High School, and also the Founder and Director of “Magical Builders,” a non-profit driven by the mission of “Building Dreams Through the Eyes of Children.” Magical Builders has helped renovate and build dozens of Children’s Charity Facilities.  Through “Magical Builders” she also directs and coordinates the efforts for the “Jamma Jingles” Pajama Drive, for unprivileged children.  Mrs. Frank is also the recipient of a Lifetime Membership Award.  She is married and has three children who serve together as a family. Congratulations Christy Frank, who was nominated by Mater Dei!

Congratulations to a lady who has LIVED her faith for years. She lectors, delivers the Body of Christ to the homebound, she is on the Respect Life committee, attends weekly Bible studies, is a Children’s Ministry volunteer and brings Communion to those in Juvenile Hall. Furthermore, she does food delivery through the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Saint Vincent de Paul Society and assists the Knights of Columbus. In her community, she is involved with Mercy House, the Garden Club and so much more. She has been on the board of several organizations showing her leadership and compassion. Challenging, laborious work doesn’t seem to stop her one bit. She is a volunteer, a fund raiser, a beekeeper and we could go on and on and so has she, for about 50 YEARS! Her family and friends know that this woman of God who is a single mom, registered nurse and assisted Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta with the lepers, the destitute and the dying is the 2017 Catholic Woman of the Year!

For over 18 years Patricia Doyle has volunteered in the RCIA program at her Parish, San Francisco Solano; and for the past 8 years has been director of the program. Her focus during the past 5 years has been assisting three cancer patients with care, meals and coordinating their special needs. She is also the SFS Parish Representative for Cursillo and has given talks during five Cursillo Women’s Weekends. In addition to be a Lector, Eucharistic Minister and Coordinator for Communion Services to adults in Assisted Living, Patricia also is part of a Moms in Prayer group and hosts a weekly Cursillo Prayer group. Patricia was a leader in creating the St. Veronica’s Guild; a project that allows volunteers to do laundry for homeless families which makes attending school regularly easier for children without a permanent residence. She has worked on several house builds in Mexico and has hosted Foreign Exchange students. Patricia also opens her home to Catholic Singles and has hosted several events for Singles to meet and explore new options for their time and talents. Patricia is a Real Estate Broker, an avid tennis player and has a passion for travel. She has 2 children and is the proud “Gigi” to grandchildren Gracie and Connor.