Women across diocese honored for commitment to parishes and living out faith

By DIANE SCHLINDWEIN
       Managing Editor

On Saturday, June 21, dozens of women from across the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois were honored at the 13^th annual Our Lady of Good Counsel Women of Distinction Award Ceremony (presented by the Springfield Diocesan Council of Catholic Women). The women first attended Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield and then enjoyed a luncheon banquet at the Crowne Plaza, also in Springfield.

Every year, parishes in the Springfield Diocese are invited to choose one woman to represent all the outstanding women in their parish, and then at Mass they are acknowledged and receive their award.

“We asked the parishes what were the reasons for selecting their Women of Distinction, and we found a common theme,” said Deb Pilapil, president of the Springfield in Illinois Deanery, CCW. “Women of Distinction go above and beyond the normal expectations of parishioners. They are incredibly active and volunteer for years, most for decades, serving on parish councils, participating as eucharistic ministers and sacristans, joining the choir in music ministry, providing funeral luncheons, leading Bible groups, the Rosary, and coordinating religious education programs.

“You will also find these faith-filled women cleaning the churches, helping to beautify the grounds, and decorating for all the holidays throughout the Liturgical Year,” she said. “These ladies are truly dedicated to their parishes, by providing positive approaches in engaging others in evangelization, hospitality, generosity, and untiring willingness to help, plan, and pray.”

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki was the main celebrant of the Mass, joined by Father Allen Kemme, pastor of Little Flower Parish in Springfield and the spiritual advisor to the SDCCW, and other parish priests.

It is not surprising that Women of Distinction maintain a strong devotion to Jesus and the Blessed Mother, Pilapil said. They exude both humility and positivity and some are Dominican Associates. “These ladies create and donate homemade items for newborn babies and older adults in long-term care facilities,” she said. “They faithfully support community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Catholic Charities, food pantries, and homeless shelters. They are active in Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Knight of Columbus councils, Altar and Rosary societies, parish women’s groups or Councils of Catholic Women, diocesan or deanery events, without hesitation, and with passion and compassion for others.” She added that the women make good friends, are strong supporters of family and Catholic teachings, and are “all around nice people.”

At the celebration, four recent high school graduates who received scholarships from the SDCCW for their commitment to living out the Catholic faith were also honored. The winners, who are featured in the issue of Catholic Times, were Hildi Niemerg from St. Isidore the Farmer Parish in Effingham County, Anna Thies from Sacred Heart Parish in Effingham, Addison Paige Pranger from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Jerseyville, and Jenna Fraley from St. Anselm Church in Kampsville (St. Francis of Assisi Parish).  

Here is the list of  Our Lady of Good Counsel 2025 Women of Distinction winners:

  ALTON DEANERY

Sally Davenport, Holy Angels, Wood River

Sue Fitzgerald, Ss. Peter and Paul, Alton

Carol Jean French, St. Ambrose, Godfrey

Mary Ann Frueh, St. Gertrude, Grantfork

Mary Ellen Gass, Mother of Perpetual Help, Maryville

Jill Griffin, St. Boniface, Edwardsville

Sheryl Hess, St. Elizabeth, Marine

Cindy (Cynthia) Knebel, Immaculate Conception, Pierron

Jackie McFarland, St. Lawrence, Greenville

Diane McIntyre, Holy Family, Granite City

Paula (Diane) Raffaelle, St. Cecilia, Glen Carbon

Bettejean Salter, Sacred Heart, Livingston

Dorothy Voloski, St. Mary and St. Mark, Madison

Pat Weigmann, St. Jerome, Troy

Barbara (Barb) Weiss, St. Nicholas, Pocahontas

JERSEYVILLE DEANERY

Jessica Alward, St. John the Evangelist, Medora

Jean Beilsmith, St. Alphonsus, Brighton

Kim Bertino, Ss. Simon and Jude, Gillespie

Janis Bitter, Holy Family, Litchfield

Joan Cope, St. Francis Xavier, Jerseyville

Gina Nicole Edwards, All Saints, White Hall

Mary Eilert, St. John Paul II, Mount Olive

Mary Gilman, St. Francis of Assisi, Hardin

Patricia “Pat” Goetten, St. Mary, Fieldon

Leona Hacker, St. Patrick, Girard

Margaret Hendricks, Sacred Heart, Virden

Ruth (Mae) Herpstreith, St. Louis, Nokomis

Mary E Krager, St. Raymond, Raymond

Gerrie Leone, St. Joseph, Benld

Yvonne Miriam Macauley, Blessed Trinity, Brussels

Chris A Maness, Holy Ghost, Jerseyville

Mary Cathryn Raymer, St. Michael, Staunton

Doris Reid, St. Michael, Greenfield

Susan  Reznicek, Ss. Mary and Joseph, Carlinville

Rose Simburger, St. Agnes, Hillsboro

Theresa Strahan, St. John the Evangelist, Carrollton

MATTOON DEANERY

Alice Addis, St. Thomas the Apostle, Newton

Christine Baker, St. Mary of the Assumption, Neoga

Angie Barrett, St. Aloysius, North  Arm

Imee Climaco, St. John the Baptist, Arcola

Penny Daniels, St. Joseph, Ramsey

Lori Davis, Our Lady of Lourdes, Oblong

Corrine P. D-Joyner, St. Charles Borromeo, Charleston

Janis Edwards, Mother of Dolors, Vandelia

Lylah Flach, St. Rose of Lima, Montrose

Jean Harder, Sacred Heart, Effingham

Barbara Helmink, Sacred Heart, Lillyville

Rose Marie Ketner, St. Mary, Paris

Amy Kleiss, Forty Martyrs, Tuscola

Beth Meyer, St. Mary Help of Christians, Effingham (Green Creek)

Rose Ohnesorge, St. Isidore, Bethany

Karla Schumacher, St. Michael, Sigel

Lisa Jane, Siemer, St. Francis, Teutopolis

Rhonda Stone, St. Elizabeth, Robinson

Barbara Vandeventer, Sacred Heart, Villa Grove

Mary Lou Vonderheide, Annunciation Church of B.V.M., Shumway

Robin Westendorf, St. Anthony of Padua, Effingham

Martha Williams, St. Michael, Hume

QUINCY DEANERY

Nancy Boone, St. Brigid, Liberty

Claudia Ann Coggeshall, St. Thomas the Apostle, Camp Point

Deborah Joan Davis, St. Anthony of Padua, Quincy

Patricia A.Galle, St. Mary, Pittsfield

Mildred Huebotter, St. Joseph, Quincy

Kathleen Rose Pratt, St. Mark, Winchester

Sharon Sandidge, St. Edward, Mendon

Nancy Venegoni, St. Francis Solanus, Quincy

SPRINGFIELD DEANERY

Kim Ausmus, St. John Vianney, Sherman

Marsha Eileen Cimarusti, St. Rita, Kincaid

Jill Cooper, St. Joseph, Springfield

Connie Crawford, St. Aloysius, Springfield

Linda Distlehorst, St. Agnes, Springfield

Jill Driscoll, Our Lady of the Holy Spirit, Mt. Zion

Leona A. Hoefler, Holy Family, Athens

Jennifer Lokaitis, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Springfield

Terese “Terry” Penza, Our Saviour, Jacksonville

Sr. Judith Pfile, OP, St. Joseph the Worker, Chatham

Teri Romines, Resurrection, Illiopolis

Theresa Rutherford, Holy Family, Decatur

Donna Schilling, St. Mary, Taylorville

Stephanie Standish, St. James, Riverton

Jan Steinhour, St. Frances Cabrini, Springfield

Mary Stewart, St. Peter, Petersburg

Carolyn Wallen, Ss. James and Patrick, Decatur

Anita Wilhelm, Little Flower, Springfield

Rita Williams, St. Jude, Rochester