WILLIAMSBURG — Good things came in threes for Catholics at Divine Mercy Parish on May 31 as it celebrated a trio of events.

A Mass marked the end of May, the month dedicated to honoring the Virgin Mary; it was the feast of the Visitation, which commemorates Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth while they were pregnant with Jesus and John the Baptist, respectively; and the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) recognized women from Brooklyn and Queens with a corsage, a special blessing during Mass, and a luncheon. 

Organized by the parish’s NCCW group, known as the St. Theresa Guild, 15 women were each honored as a “Woman of the Year” for their contributions to their church and the diocese.

The Mass was celebrated by Father Frank Mann, a retired priest in the Diocese of Brooklyn, and concelebrated by the church’s pastor, Father Michael Vricella. 

“I’m unsure if you planned it this way, or it’s just a coincidence, or it’s some kind of divine intervention, like a synchronicity from heaven,” Father Mann told the congregation of over 200 people during his homily. “But here you are, the National Council of Catholic Women … look at the Gospel. Two women, Mary and Elizabeth. Both pregnant, one with Jesus, one with John the Baptist.”

Marie Perrotto, a parishioner at St. Francis of Paola, was honored as the Woman of the Year for Divine Mercy Parish, which is made up of St. Francis of Paola, St. Cecilia, and St. Nicholas.

The other honorees included Anna O’Hare and Ursula Llewellyn (St. Andrew Avellino), Telesmarque James (Christ the King), Mary T. Haussler (Most Precious Blood), Patricia Ann Mendolia (Our Lady of Hope), Lois Williams (Our Lady of Good Counsel), Bianca Best (Our Lady of Light), Ana Monteverdi (Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament), Gloria John (St. Matthew), Celia Jones (St. Teresa of Avila-St. Anthony of Padua), Kathleen Gilbert-Nabakaba (St. Benedict The Moor), Maurcena Williams (St. Bonaventure), Barbara Lachwicz (St. Mary Gate of Heaven), and Lorna Brissett (St. Clare).

Each parish or church in the diocese with a women’s group was able to nominate someone for the award based on its own unique criteria. Perrotto was selected by the St. Theresa Guild for her steadfast service as its longest-standing member, with 62 years of service.

Perrotto, 89, has lived her whole life within blocks of the church where she completed her sacraments, got married, and watched her own daughter walk down the aisle. She joined the guild at the invitation of her sister-in-law. 

“My sister-in-law was a member of the St. Theresa Guild,” Perrotto said. “She said, ‘Come with me.’ ” 

That invitation to attend a fundraising event was in 1963, and she’s been an active member of the group ever since. “I loved it from the first minute,” she said. 

In the time that Perrotto has been a member of the guild, she has held every position one can, minus that of treasurer, because “she didn’t want to handle the money.” 

Fellow parishioners describe Perrotto as a consistent, positive presence at the church. 

“She’s always spunky, always dancing, singing, laughing, and always willing to help,” Cathy DeMarino, a member of the St. Theresa Guild for 25 years, said. To DeMarino, 61, Perrotto is not just a helping hand — she’s a mother figure.

DeMarino’s mother was Perrotto’s best friend. When DeMarino lost her mother three years ago, Perrotto was there. “She knows I love her. Whenever I need to talk to my mother or need motherly advice, I call Marie,” DeMarino said. 

Perrotto is the first to tell you that anything she’s accomplished as a member of the guild, she didn’t do as a one-woman show. “I always say I didn’t do it alone. I had a lot of help from my friends,” she said. “We did it together.”

Father Mann acknowledged the contributions of women like Perrotto. After giving the closing benediction at the presidential inauguration in January, he was invited back to the White House in April for an Easter prayer dinner, where he sat at the same table as President Donald Trump.

During their conversation, Father Mann shared that he would be giving the homily at the Mass honoring women of the NCCW in the Diocese of Brooklyn. In response, Trump wrote a letter, which Father Mann read aloud to those present at the Mass.

“I send my warmest greetings and heartfelt appreciation to all the members, staff, friends, and supporters of the National Council of Catholic Women,” Trump wrote. 

“On behalf of my entire administration, thank you for your steadfast commitment to uplifting women in the Church and all across our nation,” he added. “Your work is a shining example of how devotion to God and service to others can transform families, parishes, and entire communities.”