Catholic Daughters of the Americas
Court Compton #942
Compton, CA
MISSION STATEMENT
Catholic Daughters of the Americas strives 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.
Motto: UNITY and CHARITY
Chartered on February 15, 1925
National: www.catholicdaughters.org
State: www.californiacatholicdaughters.org
Local: www.compton942.org
![CDA_Logo_color_small[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82d4c2_70f62d4db80940a889595985f0fd83bc~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_15,y_0,w_409,h_408/fill/w_160,h_161,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/CDA_Logo_color_small%5B1%5D.jpg){kind=logo}
CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAS IS A FAMILY AFFAIR
MEET THE MAREZ SISTERS
Yvette Manard, Regent Court Compton #942
​Left to right, Amparo, Francisca & Alicia
Joining the Catholic Daughters of the Americas is a family affair! The Marez sisters, Alicia, Amparo and Francisca are all members of CDA Court Compton #942. Since joining Court Compton #942, the Marez sisters have embraced all that the Catholic Daughters stand for and are truly an inspiration. The sisters are very active in Court Compton’s activities, enthusiastically assisting with our Court’s good works and spearheading new projects; including, Spanish Heritage month and outreach to the Hispanic community for member recruitment.
The Marez sisters can always be counted on to lead and help with all Court fundraisers and community projects. They step up wherever needed including serving on our Court’s Board. In June 2020, Alicia was elected to serve in the position of Recording Secretary.
Serving God and the church was instilled in them at an early age by their parents, Rodrigo and Emilia Marez. Their parents decided in 1977 that it was time to permanently move from Mexico to Southern California as Rodrigo had been working as a contract worker in California since 1970. He felt that moving to the United States would offer his 13 children (7 boys and 6 girls) a better life. The family lived in Culver City and Inglewood before purchasing a home in Compton, CA.
​
It is an understatement to say that Rodrigo and Emilia were powerful and influential in shaping and nurturing a strong Catholic faith in their children. They made sure their children went to mass and received the sacraments. They instilled in all their children the need to share their talents to serve God, their church and community.
​
Francisca, Alicia and Amparo put their parent’s teaching into action by putting their faith into action. The sisters are not only active members of the Catholic Daughters Court Compton but also volunteer at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. Francisca is a Lector and Amparo and Alicia assists in preparing for and serving at outdoor masses during the pandemic, decorating the altar for feast days and other needs of the church.
​​
​
(left to right, Alicia, Amparo, Francisca)
Francisca was the first of the sisters to join Court Compton in 2018 and was soon followed by Alicia and Amparo in 2019. “Before I joined the Catholic Daughters, I was searching for my spiritual purpose,” says Francisca. “After seeing my CDA sisters at mass in their ‘purple’ and learning about the many charitable programs they were involved with to help the community, I realized my purpose and joined.” Francisca wanted to enhance her spiritual growth and was interested in being a lector at Our Lady of Victory, but she suffers with anxiety and is extremely afraid to speak in public. With the encouragement and support from the members, she overcame her fears and regularly reads at mass and volunteers to lead church and court activities.
​
The Marez sisters are a very close and loving family. Amparo and Alicia would politely listen to Francisca talk about the Catholic Daughters and her ministry at Our Lady of Victory but did not immediately join Court Compton. Amparo’ s interest grew when she saw the growth and change in Francisca. Seeing her quiet and shy sister serve as a lector, and actively involved with the parish council and the Court’s projects, her interest peaked. Amparo did her research and learned about the CDA from the National and State websites, attended a meeting, and with her family went to the Court’s annual picnic and fellowship. During the picnic as she conversed with the ladies, and shared in the wonderful food and games, “I felt so welcomed and understood what Francisca meant about the CDA sisterhood,” says Amparo. “That evening I filled out my membership application and feel blessed to share such a wonderful bond with all my sisters.”
​
While Francisca is the shy sister and Amparo is the mediator, Alicia has always been outgoing and active in social causes. Her advocacy work centers around justice systems reforms. Alicia is very active in promoting justice for incarcerated men and women who are so often forgotten or marginalized. Her advocacy takes her all across California and she can be seen leading marches in Sacramento. “I see my work with the Catholic Daughters as another extension of service to the community’, says Alicia.
​
The foundation of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas is “spirituality and service.” Alicia, Francisca, and Amparo demonstrate to all of us how to live our faith and continually show us what family and sisterhood means. Our Court is truly blessed to have the Marez sisters in our lives as we pray together and help each other be the best Catholic women we can be.​
Applebee's fundraiser in November 2020
Pictured 1st row: Joan, Carole, Janet, Karen
2nd row: Patty, Francisca, Amparo, Alicia, Yvette, Maribel & Jackie​
2022 - 2024 COURT OFFICERS
