For one council member, to work is to pray

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Aug 26, 2025
Rita Billingsley of Ascension Parish in Melbourne receive an award for her 64 years of service to the National Council of Catholic Women. Her motto, frequently spoken to inspire others is “to work is to pray.” (LUCAS BLACKWELL)

ORLANDO | Her motto, frequently spoken to inspire others is “to work is to pray.” For 64 years, Rita Billingsley, a parishioner of Ascension Parish in Melbourne, has worked and prayed tirelessly for and with women, priests and bishops of the Council of Catholic Women and through, with and for the Church.

Billingsley was recognized for her service Aug. 22, 2025, during the annual National Council of Catholic Women’s convention at the Hilton-Orlando.

Billingsley arrived in Melbourne with her husband in 1961, to join myriads of other families building the space, aeronautics and de- fense industries. The young couple joined the fledgling Ascension Parish, and she joined the Women’s Guild, which soon became an affiliate of National Council of Catholic Women. Then, continuing to this day, she actively supports and en- courages the women of the many Brevard County affiliations.

At that time, the parish was a part of the Diocese of St. Augustine until 1968 when the Diocese of Orlando was established. She described the transition as smooth because June Sayers, then president of the St. Augustine Diocese Council of Catholic Women, lived in what was the new Diocese of Orlando.

The Billingsleys had three children, and their grandson is her pride and joy. When her husband passed 27 years ago, she recalled how her “council sisters were a tremendous comfort for me.”

Members of the National Council of Catholic Women paused during their annual convention in Orlando to visit St. James Cathedral. Rector, Father Miguel González gave them a tour explaining the 2010 renovations and the cathedral’s history. Members each received a pilgrimage certificate as part of their visit. (GLENDA MEEKINS)

She assumed leadership roles right from the start. She has served as affiliation recording secretary, treasurer, executive officer and, finally, president. She joined the legislative committee for her deanery and became deanery president. She was elected as diocesan treasurer, executive officer and president (1994–1996). She has been a consistent participant/leader at the Diocesan Leadership Training at Lake Yale and has served multiple times as parliamentarian at the diocesan, deanery and affiliation levels.

While not an officer, she has been very active in the Florida/ Miami Province of the Council of Catholic Women, and she frequently attends national conventions.

“I have had lots of mentors who encouraged and always supported me, especially Winkie LeFils (president of the national council from 1979-1981), and so many others who have gone home. They would say, ‘You can do the job,’ but then walked right alongside me.”

LeFils said of her, “She is one who listens and who listens and hears and extends her hand in friendship with under- standing. She is a true friend.”

Billigsley followed their example, mentoring women at every level, through her encouragement and witness. Whatever needs to be done, she jumps with a joyful spirit that inspires others to jump in too.

Members of the National Council of Catholic Women paused during their annual convention in Orlando to visit St. James Cathedral. Rector, Father Miguel González gave them a tour explaining the 2010 renovations and the cathedral’s history. Members each received a pilgrimage certificate as part of their visit. (GLENDA MEEKINS)

One of her most poignant memories is of working on the diocesan initiative to emphasize the needs of children. The affiliations made cardboard dolls that represented real children in the social services system. They dressed the dolls them in children’s clothing and with the help of their social workers attached their stories emphasizing the issues they were coping with. When arriving at Catholic Days at the Capital, they placed the dolls — more than 100 of them — in each of the seats in the legislative chamber (access was allowed then). Legislators were touched by both the concerns of the children and the Catholic women working for their protection.

“CCW has been the greatest gift. I have known the support of every member. We are always having a good time – laughing and sharing,” she said. “We work hard, do business but then, my Council sisters have cried with me, shared all my joys, sorrows, everything. There’s a real dedication to one another. Council strengthened my faith.”

Special to Florida Catholic from the DOCCW, August 27, 2025