Grace Francis was St. Irenaeus Parish’s nominee for the Catholic Woman of the Year Award at the 40th Annual Catholic Woman of the Year Benefit Luncheon held at the Hilton Orange County- Costa Mesa on Thursday, May 12.
Francis was one of 23 women that Catholic Charities Auxiliary honored and recognized for their volunteer work in their parishes in the Diocese of Orange.
Grace Francis was St. Irenaeus Parish’s nominee for the Catholic Woman of the Year Award at the 40th Annual Catholic Woman of the Year Benefit Luncheon held at the Hilton Orange County- Costa Mesa on Thursday, May 12.
Francis was one of 23 women that Catholic Charities Auxiliary honored and recognized for their volunteer work in their parishes in the Diocese of Orange.
Laurie Bois, President of Catholic Charities Auxiliary, introduced each of the nominees, and Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of the Diocese of Orange, presented certificates recognizing each of the women for their volunteerism.
Though Patricia Doyle of San Francisco Solano parish was selected as the outstanding Catholic Woman of the Year for the Diocese of Orange, each of the nominees are still Catholic Woman of the Year for their respective parish.
Francis has been a member of St. Irenaeus Parish for 23 years since 1993.
She was nominated for the honor by Rosemary Schneider, Secretary of the Legion of Mary at St. Irenaeus. She has also been an active member of the Legion of Mary for many years.
For 22 years, Francis has coordinated the work of volunteers at five Care Centers that St. Irenaeus Health Ministry members visit each week. She assists the priests of the parishes when they come to offer Masses monthly at the Care Centers and also conducts Communion Services when needed.
Besides bringing Holy Communion to Care Center residents, she prays the rosary with them on different days and spends time visiting residents as much as possible.
Since Francis is legally blind, she depends on her husband of 10 years, Ken Francis, to drive her anywhere she needs to go.
Ken and Grace work together at the Care Centers and also bring Communion to homebound parishioners regularly.
Grace said she was grateful to St. Irenaeus’ Pastor, Fr. Patrick Moses, for his support and his generosity in enabling her and her family members to attend the Catholic Charities Auxiliary’s Women of the Year Benefit Luncheon. She was also pleased to meet the Bishop Kevin Vann in person.
All funds raised by the Catholic Charities Auxiliary’s Catholic Woman of the Year Benefit Luncheon are designated to go to assist Catholic Charities of Orange County with all its charitable activities.
Persons interested in joining Catholic Charities Auxiliary can contact President Laurie Bois at 714-600-0191.
