Women's guild welcome-back luncheon celebrates charitable successes

By Dana Kampa
| 9:00 a.m. November 22, 2025

Stephanie Kruk, Georgianna Vicari, Pat Young and Carol Fischbein joined the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild for its welcome-back luncheon on Nov. 18.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Opening up their newly introduced Valentine's Day art sale to a wider audience was just one of several updates members of the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild reviewed to kick off a new season.

Members held their welcome-back luncheon on Nov. 18 at the church. In addition to hearing from guest speakers from Selah Freedom, they went over upcoming activities for the season and reviewed their recent charitable efforts.

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild president Kay Kochenderfer, center, thanks guest speakers Kimberly Weller and Laurie Swink from Selah Freedom for joining the guild at its welcome-back luncheon on Nov. 18 at the church.

President Kay Kochenderfer noted the guild's Scholarship Endowment Fund has raised more than $94,500, and she hopes the group can keep its fundraising momentum up through the holidays.

In addition to opening attendance beyond Women's Guild members, Claudia Stieber noted the organizers changed the date to Feb. 10 rather than Feb. 14.

The "Art for the Heart" show debuted last year and included a showcase of works by local artists. Some of those pieces were for sale, the proceeds of which supported the scholarship fund.

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild treasurer Marilyn Davol gives members a status update after their recent fundraising activities at a welcome-back luncheon on Nov. 18 at the church.

Other upcoming dates of note include Dec. 12, when the church will have its Christmas concert. The new members' luncheon takes place Jan. 29, 2026. The highly anticipated early bird rummage sale date is set for March 6, and the main sale is March 7.

Those interested in learning more about membership can email [email protected].

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.