Women at the PDCCW “Prayer, Honor and Blessings” event on May 11 process to the grotto at St. Mary of Lourdes, Germantown Hills after Mass. In the foreground is one of the Rose Award scholarship recipients, Kayla Ratermann, of St. Paul Parish in Macomb. Provided photo/Andrea Ratermann

St. Mary of Lourdes Church and grotto in Germantown Hills was the setting for the May 11 morning of “Prayer, Honor, and Blessings,” sponsored by the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (PDCCW) and Women Connect. Women and girls throughout the diocese were invited to participate in the celebration which included Mass and prayers, followed by a tea honoring mothers and graduates.

PONDER, AS MARY PONDERED

The morning started with the Prayer to Our Lady of Fatima and rosary, followed by a Marian procession with participants placing flowers from their home gardens at the feet of Mary.

Father Chase Hilgenbrinck, diocesan vocation director for recruitment, officiated at Mass. During his homily, he reflected on the unique characteristics women bring to their vocation, and encouraged attendees to ponder, as Mary pondered, what God has done in their lives. “He’s created an immortal soul . . . for the glory of his kingdom. And that’s greater than anything perhaps you’ve ever thought you’ve done in your life. Isn’t it humbling? Isn’t it great news?”

Clare Phillips of St. Mary Parish, Wenona, displays her Rose Award certificate and rosary bracelet. Phillips was nominated by her pastor, Father Patrick Greenough. She will use the scholarship money to help with tuition at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby, where she plans to study marketing. Photo: Mary Louise Moore

Prior to the end of Mass, the Rose Award recipients were called forth to receive their certificates as well as a rosary bracelet with rose-shaped beads. PDCCW President Mary Ann Hughes presented the awards to 15 graduating young women throughout the diocese.

After Father Hilgenbrinck prayed a special blessing for all the women, the congregation then processed to the grotto on the grounds of St. Mary of Lourdes, where he led the Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary.

Finally, a tea was held in the parish hall. April Adams, vice-president and chair of the leadership and evangelization commission of the PDCCW, spoke about the many types of motherhood and asked everyone to “share (with their tablemates) a memory about how your mom practiced her Catholic faith, how she taught you to be faithful, or why her Catholic faith was so important to you.”

Adams then presented the scholarships to the Rose Award winners, including two $500 scholarships to Penelope McVay of Sacred Heart Parish in Peoria, and Kathryn Russell of St. Philomena Parish in Peoria.

SPIRITUALITY, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE

Thanks to an anonymous contributor, recognition scholarships of lesser amounts were also given to the thirteen other young women who submitted an essay.  The Rose Award “encourages young women who actively live their Catholic faith to continue their participation and grow in spirituality, leadership, and service throughout their lives.”

The group of Rose Award scholarship recipients at the tea following the Mass on May 11, 2024. The young women are graduating high school seniors who were nominated by their parishes for exemplifying qualities of Catholic leadership and spirituality. Each submitted an essay describing how they plan to live their Catholic faith in today’s world. Provided photo/Andrea Ratermann

The following were the requirements for the Rose Award scholarships:

• A young woman who is a graduating high school senior
• Shows leadership
• Portrays spirituality
• Is a practicing Catholic who attends Sunday Mass regularly
• A member of the parish making the nomination
• An essay describing how she plans to live her Catholic faith in today’s modern world

ROSE AWARD SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS and their parishes:

Rose Award scholarship recipients at the “Prayer, Honor and Blessings” event on May 11 were each given a rosary bracelet with rose-shaped beads. Photo: Mary Louise Moore

Avery Beltramea, St. Mary of Lourdes, Germantown Hills

Elizabeth “Ella” Coulter, St. Philomena, Peoria

Ellie Goble, St. John the Apostle, Woodhull

Josie Hess, St. Mary of Lourdes, Germantown Hills

Georganna Laake, St. Patrick of Merna, Bloomington

Penelope McVay, Sacred Heart, Peoria

Katy Olsen, St. Mary of Lourdes, Germantown Hills

Clare Phillips, St. Mary, Wenona

Kayla Ratermann, St. Paul, Macomb

Karla Andrea Ramirez Rodriquez, St. John the Baptist, Clinton

Marin Ruskusky, St. Philomena, Peoria

Molly Schultz, Sacred Heart, Peoria

Maria Veliz, Sacred Heart, Peoria

Clare Vogel, St. Patrick of Merna, Bloomington