PALM BEACH GARDENS | The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women celebrated its 40th “ruby” milestone convention May 23, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola with joy and gratitude for a fruitful year of service within their parishes and communities.
The convention theme was “Joy Springs from a Grateful Heart,” which were words from Pope Francis. There was opportunity for Mass, along with time for individual prayer and reflection in a CCW meditation room. Lunch and a light breakfast were included in the day’s events.
Teresa Cecil, diocesan council president, welcomed everyone, saying there are “many reasons to be grateful. For starters, because of your presence here today and because of our very successful and wonderful events, as well as the women willing to preside over them,” including “our spiritual advisors, clergy and religious sisters that we interact with in our daily life.”
Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez celebrated Mass in honor of the council women. “We are so happy that you are present throughout our diocese doing so much, and doing always God’s work, and being also a sign of God’s love because wherever you are, you promote togetherness, solidarity, fraternity and generosity,” he said. “What you are all about is precisely promoting love, promoting togetherness and promoting unity.”
After the Mass, the council women shared fellowship and camaraderie over lunch in the cathedral hall. Joining them was Father Brian King, Father Gavin Badway, seminarians and scholarship award recipients with their families.
Bishop Rodríguez invoked God’s blessings before lunch, adding, “I just came to say, have a good lunch because I have confirmation now, and may almighty God bless each one of you, CCW members, each one of your children, your spouses, your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren and all your parishes and pastors, through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
The bishop also acknowledged the presence of seminarians at the luncheon. “Let’s keep supporting them and keep them in our prayers as they move forward in their seminary years,” he said.
Every year, the women look forward to meeting the three young recipients of the $1,000 Father Clem Hammerschmitt high school scholarship awards for their outstanding performance, dedication and service at their parishes. The 2026 award winners were Catherine Davenport of Holy Cross in Vero Beach (northern deanery), who will attend John Carroll High School; Kristel Enriquez of the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola (central deanery), attending Cardinal Newman High School; and Alora Muzzy, St. Matthew (southern deanery), also attending Cardinal Newman High School.
Another popular highlight at the convention is the presentation of a mock check to the bishop representing the council women’s service hours during the year. This year, standing in for the bishop, was Father King, episcopal secretary. Claire Peterson, DCCW service chair, presented a check for $4,852,254.00, representing the value of service hours performed by CCW women in 2025-26.
The presentation by keynote speaker Father Gabriel Ghanoum was focused on the theme for the day, “Joy Springs From a Grateful Heart.”
“There is a part in the brain that, when you turn the switch on, that is when we have joy and you have connection,” he said. When “we are upset or angry, that will release chemicals called cortisol and adrenaline,” and as a result, “they will affect your heart; they will affect your blood pressure; they will affect your well-being.”
The three components that are necessary to attain joy are “gratitude, compassion and forgiveness,” Father Ghanoum said. “It reduces burnout, loneliness, disconnection, disengagement, meaninglessness,” increasing “self-compassion, connection, courage and collaboration.”
For information on the Palm Beach Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, email PBDCCW@gmail.com or visit pbdccw.org.
