Court St. Anthony #330

Annual Lenten Raffle

Catholic Daughters of the Americas strives to embrace the principles of faith working through love in the promotion of justice, equality and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all mankind.

As the largest organization of Catholic women in the Americas and founded through the Knights of Columbus Catholic men's organization, our purpose is to participate in the religious, charitable and educational Apostolates of the Church.

Court St. Anthony #330 was established in October 1920. Our current court members come from the 5 local parishes in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and the surrounding area.

We have a membership of 71 women dedicated to the mission of the Catholic Daughters. Many of our members have a long-tradition of membership in this or other courts, often following their mothers' footsteps of service and fellowship.

We meet on the 2nd Monday of each month from March through December. Our meeting starts with a 5:15 pm Mass at Saint Peter's Parish (1 Bluff Street, Council Bluffs, IA) followed by a 6:00 pm potluck dinner and meeting in the parish social hall.

This time of the year we are thankful for our families. First, there is the Holy Family brought to mind especially by our recent Catholic Daughters trip to the Holy Family Shine near Gretna. Never have I felt closer to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph than when we visited the chapel there.

Also, there are our own families - our husbands and children and grandchildren- who are very precious to us. My daughter Sandy lives in Minneapolis and I miss her so much and eagerly await her homecoming on holidays. My son Scott and his wife and children live in Omaha so I can hold them very close. Plus, our extended families give us much comfort and pleasure. I am fortunate to be able to visit my mother Helen weekly even though she is out of town. I don't see my sister Karen and her family in South Dakota often but we keep in touch by phone. Also, my cousins who I grew up with are very close and for this I am grateful.

Our church families are next - those from our prospective parishes. And our wonderful Catholic Daughters are like family. We care about each other at our meetings eating good food, having good fellowship, and discussing and planning good works.

So whichever family you are thinking about this Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Holy Family, your own family, the church family, the Catholic Daughters family, or your neighbors and friends, have a blessed, blessed holiday season.

In Unity and Charity, Jan

Our court officers:

Learn about our patron, St. Anthony of Padua!