Catholic Daughters of the Americas National Headquarters 10 West 71 st Street www.catholicdaughters.org New York, NY 10023 Dear Officers, Chaplains and Members, 212-877-3041 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2008 The brisk fall temperature has put us in the mood for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, in South Texas the brisk temperatures are only for a little while in the mornings and the evenings. The afternoon brings back the reality that we are in South Texas with our south Texas temperatures. I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to reflect on the many blessings God has granted us, to bring families together, and to share the many beautiful memories we have from throughout the year. We now start to prepare for the Advent season in preparation for the celebration of the birth of the Jesus. This is a wonderful time of the year! Preparing the Nativity set and the manger with fresh hay is such a special project in my home as in many of our homes. Jesus is truly the Reason for the Season! It has been five months since you elected this National Board, and I can assure you they have been working diligently to fulfill their responsibilities. Thank you to those that have warmly welcomed your newly appointed National representative for your state. We are available to address your concerns and share in your joys, so please keep the line of communication open. Your wonderful newsletters indicate you are actively working to make a difference in your church and community. Keep up the good work! EVANGELIZATION ORNAMENTS Attached is an order form showcasing the Catholic Daughter ornaments, have you ordered yours? They would make wonderful gifts for Christmas. Please complete the order form and send it with your payment to Catholic Daughters, 10 West 71 st Street, New York, NY 10023. 2008 BYLAWS The newly printed 2008 edition of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Bylaws are available from the National Office for $2.50 each. NATIONAL CHAPLAIN MESSAGE Attached is Most Rev. David E. Fellhauer, Bishop of Victoria and National CDA Chaplain s message to be inserted in the Tools of the Trade, Ceremonial Book. Please make copies and insert them into the Section I Eucharistic Liturgy for Reception of New Members (page 9), Section II Ceremony for Court Room Reception of New Members (page 8) and Section V Liturgy for Institution of New Court (page 11). 1
36 th ANNUAL MARCH FOR LIFE JANUARY 21 AND 22 The Executive Committee, Helen Johnson and several Board members, will be in Washington, DC, in January, to attend the Vigil Mass for Life on January 21 st and the March for Life on January 22 nd. The theme will be Remember - the Life Principles mean Equal Care with No Exceptions! Some of your National Board will be marching this year and we are inviting you to sponsor one of us. For every $1.00 sent, 50 is returned to your State CDA Pro-Life Committee for use locally. If you are interested, please send your donation with a check made out to one of the following Board members: Libby Ramirez, Joanne Tomassi, Anne Nelson, Shirley Seyfried, Theresa Kocer, Helen Johnson, Letty Calvetti, Maryann Grabasky, Evelyn Saxton or Helene Shepard. When they receive all the checks, they will write a check to the March for Life Organization. Look for your National Board at the March and join us as a group. TURN OFF TV DAY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2009 Morality in Media has been sponsoring a TURN OFF TV Day since 1991, as a vehicle to protest offensive programming of glorified vulgar language, unmarried sex, crime, violence, religious insults, etc. No TV? What Can I Do? Why not celebrate Valentine's Day by giving your loved ones gifts money can t buy - quality family time. Perhaps you might consider the following: Plan a family dinner or picnic, create a togetherness day - games, a walk in the park, trip to the zoo/museum, etc., volunteer - there are so many in need these days and the rewards you will reap are overwhelming. Most importantly, support MIM s efforts by contacting that broadcaster and advertiser to protest offensive programming. So long as we, the consumers, continue to view these objectionable shows, we will continue to be exposed to it. NATIONAL JCDA SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22 JCDA celebrates the closing of their 82 nd Anniversary year on February 22, 2009! Enclosed you will find the JCDA Proclamation. OPERATION MORNINGSTAR Enclosed is the latest information provided by our Legislative Chairman, Helen Johnson. Please read and pass along the information to your members. MEMORARE FOR MEMBERSHIP Evelyn Saxton, National Chairman Spiritual Enhancement Believing that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Patroness, we may obtain assistance in those things for which we ask, let us pray faithfully for the increase in membership of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas that we need to keep our organization vitally alive and growing. For this intention we pray: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen. SHARE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS Are your Chaplains, State Chaplains and Bishops receiving SHARE Magazine? Does your local library receive copies of SHARE? If not, why not sign them up today? What better way to publicize our wonderful organization. Please refer to the subscription form enclosed. 2
LIABILITY INSURANCE All CDA Courts are now covered under the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies Certificate of Liability Insurance from April 6, 2008 through April 6, 2009. The contract covers not only meetings in parish halls or other parish facilities but extends as well to meetings or other events outside of the parish. Out of necessity we must rely on every Court to take responsibility for its share of the cost Maintaining this insurance as it covers not only the Courts but the CDA National Organization as well. All Courts were billed in March for this coverage. GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMS There are many excellent membership insurance plans provided by RKI Insurance for all members. They include Group Cancer Expense, Outreach Term Life Insurance, Cash Value Permanent Life Insurance, Long Term Care Nursing Home Insurance, Medicare Supplement, Personal Travel Accident Insurance, Emergency Outpatient Expense and Share-Care Group Hospital Indemnity. Please see the enclosed information brochure for additional information and contacts. COURT ANNIVERSARIES Congratulations and Best Wishes to all states and local courts who celebrated milestone anniversaries this past fall. Whenever possible, National Board Members attended courts celebrating their 90 th, 95 th or 100 th Anniversary, if invited. May God grant you many more successful CDA years. CAMPUS COURTS Plans are in effect for new Campus Court in St. Gregory s University in Shawnee, OK. What about your state. NEW COURTS We are proud to inform you of the institution of the following new courts congratulations and best wishes may be sent to: Beverly Dodd, Regent Court Mother of Mercy #2606 16 E Interstate Circle Sallisaw, OK 74955 M Susan Hick, Regent Court Mazzuchelli #2609 N2607 Carnie Rd Monroe, WI 53566 Doris Sodolak, Regent Court Our Lady of Faith #2607 9392 FM 1458 Sealy, TX 77474 Karen Bootz, Regent Court St. Rita #2610 1208 E. Prosperity Ave #184 Tulare, CA 93274 Lena Urquidez, Regent Court St. John on Paradise #2608 9901 Palmer Ct NW Albuquerque, NM 87114 JoAnne Woelfle, Regent Court of Salve Regina #2611 2817 Weslayan Dr Denton, TX 76210 PRICE LIST Attached is the new price list for National supplies. Prices are subject to change. We have included some sale items as well as the new items that were available at the National Convention. Note: It is important to keep in mind that your end-of-the-year officers jewelry gifts are ordered as soon as possible. All orders for 14K, 10K and Sterling Silver take approximately ten to twelve weeks for delivery and must be accompanied by a court check covering a deposit of 50% of your order. DONATIONS TO THE NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS The 1903 Society has become a great help in the upkeep of the National Headquarters in New York City. Did you know there is another ongoing way to donate to Catholic Daughters? On frequent occasions, the National Office has had requests from family members to send a donation to Catholic Daughters in memory of a deceased relative who was a member of CDA. Likewise, some 3
correspondence requests information on how to celebrate the birthday, anniversary, etc., of a relative who is a member. At the 1990 convention, the CDA membership voted to develop The Growing Tree at the National Headquarters listing the names of courts, groups, or individuals on its branches. The tree s branches became totally filled. To fulfill requests to donate, the staff had installed on the wall, on either side of the tree, two additional features: a Memorial plaque and an Honorable Donor plaque. A donation for a name on either plaque is $100. The requirement for the Memorial plaque is name of the person is of someone deceased. Living donors, whether CDA members or not, may be listed on the Honorable Donor plaque. You are allowed up to two (2) lines and 15 letters. Spaces should be counted as a letter. Please make checks payable to the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Send you payment to the Attention of Margaret O Brien, Executive Director. The checks should be mailed to the National Headquarters, 10 West 71 st Street, New York, New York 10023 PRAYERS Please pray for the following deceased and their families: In the midst of business, work, family and life's obligations, may you welcome God's love and allow it to sustain you throughout the year. God Bless you and your family now and throughout the New Year! Yours in Christ, Libby Ramirez National Regent Attachments: Evangelization Ornaments National Chaplains Message JCDA Proclamation Operation Morningstar SHARE Subscription Form RKI Insurance Plans Price List Morality in Media Newsletter 4