Joyful Yes: Get to Know Some of Our Returning Board Members

Last month, we featured a welcome to our newest MCCW-Worldwide Board Members. This month, we’re excited to extend a gracious thank-you to the women who have given a joyful “yes” to continue in their positions as returning MCCW-Worldwide Board Members.

Each board member has been asked several questions: their “fiat” – or, why they chose to serve; where their family is stationed, and a little bit about each family; the individual ladies’ hobbies and favorite saints.

Thank you for your continued service, Kitty Eisenbeil, our 2021-2023 Director of Formation!

Kitty’s Fiat:

God reveals Himself to us more and more as we dive deeper into the teachings of the Church. I have no greater joy than to share that with others!

Bio nuggets:

• Current Installation: Offutt Air Force Base, NE
• Family stats: Married to my husband for 16 years; we have four children (15, 14, 11, 8)
• Hobbies: running, hiking, being outdoors, reading, and listening to funny podcasts.

Favorite saints: St. Teresa of Avila and St Therese of Lisieux

Thank you for your continued service, Joan LaPore, our 2022-2023 Director of Finance!

Joan’s Fiat:

Life is too short to not volunteer!

Bio nuggets:

• Current Installation: Wright Patterson AFB, OH
• Family stats: Husband is 32 years Active-duty Air Force, we have three young adults that make us laugh, and one grandson that keeps us on the move.
• Hobbies: skiing, hiking, CWOC bible study facilitator, cooking, pickling/canning (Thanks COVID!)

Favorite saints: St. Joan of Arc & Saint John Paul II

Thank you for your continued service, Bernadette Kovalsick, our 2021-2023 Director at Large!

Bernadette’s Fiat:

The word fiat in itself means to let it be done. The why is simple to immerse me in my Catholic faith. For decades it was, as the CCC notes, that the laity had a responsibility. For many decades this was true to be as articulate as possible in my faith – to serve the Church and all people where they are, even if I could not understand. Life events bring another perspective. In short, I was seeing the actual presence of Christ and hearing the Holy Spirit after a significant health event in 2019. My “why” is not a question, but rather, a statement of why not, no matter what obstacles are presented to me.

Bio Nuggets:

• Current Installation: As a Retiree from the Army, my CWOC is at Fort Meade in Maryland, Our Lady of Peace.
• Family stats: Married for 35 years with three adult children and three beautiful grandchildren ranging from ages 18, 15, and 3 years old.
• Hobbies: DIY’ing is my passion of turning furniture in new beginnings. My hugest DIY project is an old three door, glass front and side, country-style hutch with original pulls to hardware. It is solid wood with a dove-tail connection. The challenge was to slip all the glass into place. Other hobbies include knitting, crochet and sewing. I have done a few wedding dresses for active-duty soldiers whose budgets were limited.

Favorite Saint: All! But if I had to single one out, it would be Saint Bernadette whom my mom named me after. She knew, much like her, my health to journey in faith would not be easy. There is one quote of St. Bernadette’s that I meditate on from time to time; it was her final prayer, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me, a poor sinner.”

Thank you for your continued service, Muffy Patterson, our 2021-2023 Director of Regional Coordinators!

Muffy’s Fiat: I love being a cheerleader and an encourager for women, no matter their walk, be it in faith, in military or professional life, or just as a friend.

Bio Nuggets:

• Current Installation: Our last duty station was Ft. Jackson, SC.
• Family stats: A retired military guy is all I can handle. No kiddos (we recently lost our little dog ☹)
• Hobbies: I love writing, traveling, cooking and baking…and watching college football with my Michigan State Spartans!

Favorite Saints: Mary Magdelene and St Catherine of Sienna. Why? They kept the gents on track!! I draw leadership guidance from Mary Magdelene, and St Catherine of Sienna guides me professionally, since I am a rare female in my position with sports television.