By Jacqueline Vega
A project called “Marian Shrine” has helped students of Faith Formation at St. Elizabeth Seton (SES) to assemble shrines of Mother Mary. This project was created this month by parishioner Paulette Nordin, who previously had attended St. Thomas More. When asked about her motive and inspiration to create these shrines, she responded by saying “Mary is Jesus’ mother, so we as Catholics hold her in extremely high regard. In addition, it serves as a physical reminder to pray consistently and provides encouragement for families to pray together.”
Paulette grew up in West Warwick, Rhode Island and moved to Arizona at the age of 15. She has been a member of Catholic Daughters of America (CDA) for two years. Paulette was installed as CDA’s Vice Regent this June. She lovingly commits to the mission of CDA, which is to embrace the principle of faith working through love in the promotion of justice, equality, and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all. She consistently engages in activities involved with the Circle of Love program, which is a part of CDA consisting of seven programs bound by love as the common interest.
In short, the seven programs in the Circle of Love are listed below:
- LEADERSHIP. The leader is the inspiration that allows others to “fly higher than an eagle.
- SPIRITUAL ENHANCEMENT. Through the spiritual program in each local and state court of Catholic Daughters of America, we help our members to nourish and develop their relationships with God.
- QUALITY OF LIFE (Social Awareness). We are called to reach out to others with compassion and support, and to be helping hands where there is pain, poverty, sorrow, or sickness.
- YOUTH/JCDA. Every Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court can fulfill the goals of the Youth Program by committing itself to sponsor, participate in, and/or support at least one youth activity.
- EDUCATION. Education can lead to higher participation in an entire range of activities.
- LEGISLATION/MORNING STAR. Become better informed on public issues, addressing the morals and human dimension, while supporting church teaching on human life, human rights, justice, and peace,
- FAMILY. CDA courts should continue to strengthen family relations by interacting with one another in service work for the family. Families praying together, working together, and playing together will fulfill goals of the family spoken about in the Circle of Love Program.
As you can see, Paulette has gone above and beyond her role with helping and educating our youths. Also, at St. Claire of Assisi parish, she assisted Laurie, the state regent of the Jr. CDA (Junior Catholic Daughters of America) by being involved in a creativity project each month, and she “enjoyed doing it.” (This helped inspire her to eventually be involved with the Marian Shrine project.) To make sure they had the necessary supplies, they sent several emails requesting items such as pearls, flowers, foam, statues, glue guns, etc. The glue and staples were provided by the CDA and Paulette’s neighbor also provided additional supplies. Paulette worked with the kindergarteners and second grade children on Wednesday, April 24th, and with the fourth graders on Tuesday, May 1st, helping them glue their assemblies together. The children were able to take these home to use for prayer. When discussing any challenges she experienced during the project, she smiles and says “Linda Watkins, (SES Youth and Child Formation coordinator), was so helpful organizing the classroom for me, I really was able to enjoy watching the children making their shrines.” The Shrines were blessed by Father Williams after they were completed. Paulette wants to do another project in October, in honor of Holy Rosary month. If you are interested in helping or being involved with this project, please call the Parish office at 623-972-2129.
