Judy Mueller of Immaculate Conception Parish in Manito, center, is flanked by Kimberly Lange, chairperson, and Father David Whiteside, chairperson, of the Bishop's Commission on Women in the Church and in Society. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

The Bishop’s Commission on Women in the Church and in Society has welcomed a new member, Judy Mueller of Immaculate Conception Parish in Manito. She received her binder and pin of Our Lady of Perpetual Help from Kimberly Lange, chairperson, and Father David Whiteside, spiritual director, at a recent meeting.

Mueller learned more about the Bishop’s Commission on Women after Father Whiteside, pastor of the faith communities in Manito, Lewistown and Havana, asked her to set up a pilgrimage to EWTN and the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Alabama. “I figured if they had any leg work on that type of trip I would just carry on from there,” she said.

After attending a few of the meetings, Mueller became interested in joining the group. She said she wanted to see if she could help expand the opportunities the commission offers to the women of the Diocese of Peoria.

Mueller has been a member of Immaculate Conception for 10 years. She serves as a money counter and greeter, is a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, and helps with funeral luncheons, as well as sales of the parish’s popular povitica.

She has five children and 13 grandchildren.

In addition to Lange, who attends Blessed Sacrament in Morton, members of the Bishop’s Commission on Women include Diane Intravartolo of St. Mary, Lewistown, vice chairperson; Sunita Kottoor of St. Vincent de Paul, Peoria, treasurer; Linda Oest of St. Patrick, Havana, secretary; and Ellen Ehrgott of St. Rose, Rushville, immediate past chairperson.

The commission’s bus pilgrimage to the ETWN studios in Irondale, Alabama, and Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama, is scheduled for July 21-25. The cost is $525 and includes transportation, accommodations and most meals.

Online registration will be available soon, but for more information, send email to bcw.cdop@gmail.com or call Kottoor at (678) 618-8707.