Donna Masek, St. Mary parishioner, elected to national council of the Militia Immaculata

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Donna Masek (second from left), a St. Mary parishioner, is shown with other members of the Militia Immaculata National Council, to which she has been appointed. The other council members are Ron Rodrigues, president; Michael Wick, vice president; Julie Elkinton; Cliff Azize; Geoffrey Buzz; and Father Thomas Czeck, OFM, spiritual advisor.

WEST HAVEN — Donna Masek, a St. Mary parishioner, was elected Aug. 6 to the Militia Immaculata National Council and will serve as its secretary.

“I am ecstatic to have been nominated to serve on the MI National Council for the next four years,” said Masek, who has been the MI representative in Utah for many years.

The Militia of the Immaculata in Utah serves both the English and Spanish communities. The international organization is open to Catholics of all walks of life, and “encourages all people of good will to develop a trusting relationship with Our Lady,” according to its mission statement.

The organization was founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe, OFMConv. in 1917; the Vicariate of Rome erected it as a Pious Union in 1922. In 1997, the Pontifical Council for the Laity erected the organization as an International Public Association of the Faithful.

In her new position, Masek will work with others on the national and international levels, but said she will “continue to serve the MI in the Diocese of Salt Lake City through the promotion of the total Consecration to the Immaculata in the Spirit of St. Maximilian Kolbe.”

The MI in Utah was “born” in April 2000 at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sandy; it now is active at St. Mary’s and in other parish communities.

“Truly, the seed of the Kolbean spirituality landed on fruitful ground in Utah,” Masek said, adding that now she is excited to be part of the National Council as it continues the mission to “extend as far as possible the blessed Kingdom of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.”