Rose Hendricks, 82, is a member of the St. Martin Council of Catholic Women in Cecil.
The women have bake sales on Memorial Day and Labor Day along with brat sales at the Citgo Station. They pay for pamphlets for the parish and help stock the food pantry when necessary. They give gifts to members when they make their First Communion and Confirmation and also give gifts to newborns.
Hendricks was born and raised in Seymour, the youngest of 14 children. She started high school but then had to help her sister and her children. Hendricks later took some vocational courses. She worked at Fort Howard before marrying her husband of 61 years, Harold. They live in the town of Hartland. They have seven children, 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Hendricks has been a seamstress for many years and made two quilts and three baby quilts for a recent craft sale. The couple belongs to card clubs.
Q How long have you been a member of the Council of Catholic Women?
A “Since I moved her 14 years ago, I think about 12 years. I was in it at St. Agnes in Amberg.”
Q How do you help?
A “I was vice president for two years and I was president of the Amberg CCW. When I became president, I suggested — at St. Agnes they always had a bake sale around deer hunting (season) — that we have crafts, too. It was always a moneymaker at St. Agnes. We make money to help the church. We reupholstered the priest’s chair and other chairs. We take care of everything that’s needed in the church. We want to get the tabernacle polished and new carpeting in the church. Because my health sometimes isn’t the best, I donate a dish or some kind for the funerals. I also contribute to the bake sales. I used to be a Eucharistic minister. I make rosaries for the missions and will make them for others. Once a month on the last Friday we have Food for the Soul (where they show films about the Catholic faith) after the communion service. Sometimes I bring the snack. I also get a gift for someone from the Christmas tree at First State Bank.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “I’ve always done it. It’s hard for me to say no. My mom was like that, and my sisters are like that. St. Martin is like a family. Everybody says ‘Hi’ when you meet them. We have the hall to talk and visit.”
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