2011-2012 CDA Meetings and Events
Theme:  Supporting Women

Sept. 12, 2011 6:30 Commons Salad Supper, meeting

Oct. 10, 2011 5:30-6:00 registration, 6:00 dinner, $11.

American Martyrs Retreat House, reception of new members, Speakers:  Sisters Jeanine & Michelle will reflect on their years at the Retreat House and discuss their Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the North American Martyrs

Oct. 14-16, 2011 Iowa CDA Yearly Retreat

8:00 pm Fri.–1:00 pm Sun. at American Martyrs Retreat House,

conducted by Sister Carla Popes, PBVM, $120. donation

Oct. 16, 2011 National CDA Day members serve coffee/donuts after 8:00 and 9:30 Sunday Masses

Nov. 10, 2011 Reading with the Stars 6:00-8:00 AM multi-purpose room

Nov. 14, 2011 6:30 Commons, Grief Support Ministry speaker Judy Moody, meeting

Dec. 1, 2011 (Thurs.) Advent by Candlelight Celebration  6:00 commons/gym

Jan. 9, 2012 6:30 Commons Healthy Living speaker: Ann Barnard (wear comfortable clothing), meeting

Feb. 2012 Education Contest

Chair: Arlene Prather-O’Kane

Feb. 2012 Scholarship

Chair:  Jane Demmer

Committee: Sister Marilou Irons, Barb Kueter

Feb. 4, 2012 Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee

Saturday 8:30 multi-purpose room

Chair:  Barb Kueter

Feb. 13, 2012 6:30 Commons, Healthy Heart speaker Dr. Rick Valente (wear red), meeting

April 2012- Life Saver Project, after all masses

 Apr. 9, 2012 6:30 Commons, Parish Outreach & Social Concerns speakers: Carolyn Lee & Tim Boller, meeting

May 14, 2012 6:30 Commons, Inner-self Awareness speaker Kim Amann, meeting

June 11, 2012 6:30 Commons, Salad Supper meeting, installation of new officers

Patroness of wives and people ridiculed for their piety

Feast Day: January 4^th

Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born into a wealthy and socially prominent family on Aug. 28, 1774, in New York. Her grandfather was rector of an Episcopal church, and she was a member of the church for 30 years. Elizabeth married William Magee Seton in 1794. He was heir to his family’s shipping and importing interests. They had five children.

Elizabeth and her sister-in-law, Rebecca, seized every opportunity to share their worldly abundance with the city’s needy and were known as the Protestant Sisters of Charity. After William’s business failed, he contracted tuberculosis. For health reasons, the Setons traveled to Italy, where William died shortly after their arrival.

Elizabeth

was befriended by an Italian family and was exposed to Roman Catholic dogma. After returning to New York, Elizabeth examined the faith thoroughly. She tried to establish a school, but her leanings towards Catholicism repulsed the families and they withdrew their children. In 1806, Elizabeth was confirmed in the Catholic Church. The Archbishop of Baltimore invited her to establish a girls’ school in 1808. Her sisters-in-law, Harriet and Cecilia Seton, joined her. In 1809, Elizabeth took her first vows and received the title “Mother.” This was the beginning of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph.

In the summer of 1809, 16 women and children occupied a log cabin on St. Mary’s Mountain in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Construction began on St. Joseph’s House, a free school for boys and girls, and classes were first held in 1810. By establishing this school, Mother Seton earned the title of Foundress of the American Parochial School System. From her original foundation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, six North American religious communities trace their origins.

Elizabeth died in 1821 at the age of 46. She was canonized on Sept. 14, 1975, and is the first American-born saint.

Prayer

Lord God, You blessed Elizabeth Ann Seton with gifts of grace as wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to Your people.  Through her example and prayers may we learn to express our love for You in love for one another.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen

Photo and Prayer from the St. Elizabeth Seton School (Naples Florida) from Ordinary People Extraordinary Lives.