Meet Lynn Wilson: Arizona's Catholic Daughter Regent shares her vision

By Caitlin Burm

Lynn Wilson, Arizona's Catholic Daughter Regent, and member of the Diocese of Tucson, speaks with the New Outlook and shares her vision for 2025.

Listen to the interview or read the transcript below:

  

Transcript

HOST, CAITLIN BURM: Today, the New Outlook will be speaking with Lynn Wilson, Arizona State Catholic Daughter Regent, and learning more about what it means to be a Catholic Daughter of America. Welcome, Lynn!

BURM: Could you please tell me about what inspired you to take on this role and how it has impacted your faith?

GUEST, LYNN WILSON: I became a Catholic Daughter 12 years ago and started with a court that was founded at St. Anthony’s in Casa Grande by Fr. John Arnold. And now he’s established another court at his current parish. I started there as a founding member, and also a court officer. At that time, I was a secretary when the court was founded.

BURM: And how long have you been part of the organization now?

WILSON: 12 years, and I’ve been on the state board now for 10 years.

BURM: Could you share how the Catholic Daughters of America are making a difference here in our local communities?

WILSON: The Catholic Daughters in Arizona are part of the national Catholic Daughters, and we have national projects and charities that we are a part of. I’m proud of all of those. But in Arizona, part of our funds contributes to things like Smile Train, Soar, retired priests, and all those are wonderful organizations and charities. They help with disaster relief around the world, and even the money coming back here in Arizona, because some money came back to St. Anthony’s because of the recent fire. That is wonderful too. They are a part of the growing Seven Sisters that pray for our local priests, and we all know that we need to pray for our local priests, so that is a wonderful part of what we’re doing too.

BURM: Is there a particular initiative that Arizona State’s Catholic Daughters are working on, that you would like to highlight for our listeners today?

WILSON: Well, the women that step forward in this organization are just amazing people. They are faith-filled, they are energetic, they want to serve the Lord. They do what their parish priests or chaplain help direct them to do. They raise funds, they pray, they are selfless. And I’m just humbled to be a part of that.

BURM: What are Arizona State’s Catholic Daughters hoping to accomplish this year?

WILSON: Our outgoing state regent, Lorrie Holland, has worked tirelessly and she has established several new courts in her term, and I hope to be able to continue that. But at the same time, I’d like to see each of the current courts strengthened and to increase their numbers. I have some numbers in mind, and I am going to challenge each of our courts to try and increase their membership. That is one of the challenges we do lose members, unfortunately, due to our elderly that we’re losing. So we need to encourage younger moms, and I hope to do that with bringing in some of the junior courts, junior JCDA, and getting the girls involved. Anywhere from age eight and up to 18. We have juniors and we also have courts on campuses. So all those things are available.

BURM: What would you say to Catholic women interested in joining a court?

WILSON: To be a part of this, you don’t have to be an officer or anything like that, there is a place. God has given us all gifts and talents, and I know this is a place where you could put those gifts and talents to work. For yourself, for your parish, for your family. It fits everyone. Everyone is welcome.

BURM: Thank you so much again to Lynn Wilson, Arizona State Catholic Daughter Regent.

[AUDIO]

For more information about the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, please visit: https://www.catholicdaughters.org/ or https://www.arizonastatecda.org/

Left to Right: Joanne Arvizu, State Secretary from Tucson, Carolyn Larson 1st Vice Regent from Prescott Valley, Lynn Wilson State Regent from Casa Grande, Cathy Hernandez, 2nd Vice Regent from Winslow, Diana Medley, State Treasurer from Glendale
Hosted, produced and edited by Caitlin Burm