Newly Elected National Regent for Catholic Daughters, a Parishioner in Washingtonville, Seeks to ‘Serve the Lord With Gladness’

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Helene Shepard, the newly elected national regent of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, has selected ‘Serve the Lord with gladness’ (Psalm 100:2) as the theme for her two-year term that begins Aug. 20.

“We as Catholic women, as Catholic daughters, need to emphasize joy,” said Mrs. Shepard when asked why she selected the theme.

A parishioner of St. Mary’s, Washingtonville, Mrs. Shepard was elected to the highest post in the organization at the 56th biennial National Convention held in Pittsburgh July 20-24. More than 900 members, voting delegates and clergy attended from across the nation.

“The Lord truly is the source of joy,” she said during a Aug. 15 interview with CNY. She noted that the psalm selected for the next two years builds upon the theme of the prior two-year term, which was “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, that you do for me” (Matthew 25:40).

A benevolent and spiritual organization, the Catholic Daughters are involved in various charities in their parishes and communities. Formed more than 110 years ago, it has 68,000 members in 1,250 courts in 45 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.

“We really have to be faith-filled women who are joyful, because joy will attract (others to) God. That is our mission, to be joyful as we serve and evangelize,” she explained.

“Joy and service expresses good discipleship,” she said.

Mrs. Shepard said she felt “humbled and exhilarated” by her election.

When her husband, Deacond John Shepard died nine years ago, Mrs. Shepard said she wasn’t sure if she was prepared to go further in the Catholic Daughters. However, she remembered her husband’s words at his diaconate ordination—“I come to serve.”

Those words provided the impetus that pushed her forward. “Joy exists even in our suffering. The joy that is there and it’s really the presence of God,” she said. “Having joy is really important in what we do.”

In her new post, one major goal is to update the procedural manual of the Catholic Daughters—the last update and revision was 10 years ago. “That will be the charge of this board,” she said.

Cardinal Dolan has agreed to become the national chaplain. Father Jeffrey Maurer, pastor of St. Mary’s, will be the national clergy consultant for the 2016-2018 term.

The cardinal will be the principal celebrant at a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Mary’s Church, Washingtonville on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 5:30 p.m.

Mrs. Shepard is a member of Court Margaret Mary 768 in Monroe and has been a parishioner at St. Mary’s in Washingtonville for more than 40 years. She has served the parish as a lector and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, founder and director of St. Mary’s Little Lambs Preschool, chairman of the first building campaign and a parish trustee.

She instituted Court St. Ann, Mother of Mary 2419 in Washingtonville.

She has held other positions with the Catholic Daughters of the Americas since joining in 1982, including serving on the national board for the past six years. She was secretary treasurer, vice national regent, and, most recently, regent-elect. She earlier served as chairman of the 1903 Society and was national convention chairman for the 53rd Biennial National Convention in Buffalo. She was New York state regent and vice recent.