Catholic Daughters Court #330 Celebrates Its 50+ Year Members

How do I serve thee?

"We gladly accept membership in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and, through the presence of the spirit in our lives, dedicate ourselves to the work of this organization to foster unity and charity among all men and women through the love of God."

Catholic women all over the Americas recite these words as they are inducted into the Catholic Daughters of the Americas organization. The women take these words seriously as a promise, a commitment, even a life-long commitment for some. From their baptismal call of becoming "sharers in (the Church's) mission" to their Confirmation seal of the Holy Spirit which "marks (their) total belonging to Christ, (their) enrollment in his service for ever" to their promise at the court induction ceremony, Catholic Daughters live the life of an ambassador for Christ.

The Council Bluffs, Iowa, court of St. Anthony #330 serves as an inspiration to all Catholic women through the thirteen members who were recently recognized for their 50 plus years as members of Catholic Daughters.

Serving Christ through this organization is something these women hold dear. They are pleased to share their excitement for the work they have done for those who need assistance. Each of the thirteen has special experiences from her years in the court and each has grown spiritually from her membership.

Eunice Ott, a 90 year young-at-heart member of the St. Anthony court, is the member with the longest era of service, still going strong at 72 years as a Catholic Daughter. Her mother was a member so she joined after she graduated from high school. "It is the most wonderful organization for any young girl to grow up in," Ott believes.

At 103 years old, Margaret Mulvihill is the oldest member of the court. She delights visitors with tales of her years in the court. Her face lights up as she proclaims, "It is the most joyous organization I ever belonged to." Mulvihill has been a member for 54 years.

The Council Bluffs court held a special celebration for these role models at a Catholic Daughters Sunday brunch on October 19, 2008. Members of the court attended Mass together at Holy Family church and then gathered for a brunch and celebration. The honorees were given a special gift and the admiration of all the members present.

Women in the service of Christ do so selflessly and genuinely. These women exemplify that core value of Catholic Daughters through their involvement as officers, event chairs, charitable project leaders, and prayer life. For 65 year member, Josephine Garafalo, as for most of them, Catholic Daughters is not the only charitable work they do. Many have given of their time and talent over the years to organizations that serve the poor, the needy, the neglected, the abused. They hope that young women will follow their example as they have followed that of those who served before them.

The work of the Catholic Daughters never goes away. There will always be the need for women to work through this organization to achieve their mission of "working through love in the promotion of justice, equality, and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all."

Lifelong service to others is a calling. These wonderful women have been answering that call from God for many, many years. They have heard the call and have responded eagerly. Fifty-seven year court member Angela Cash (sister of Jo Garafalo) is quick to tell the story of how she came to answer that call to service to others through prayer, volunteer work, and more. "Once, when I was very ill, I decided that "if God wants me to do it, I will work to my dying day for God!" That is service with soul.

Catholic Daughters Court St. Anthony #330 50+ year members:
Eunice Ott 72 years
Josephine Garafalo 65 years
Angela Cash 57 years
Luana Paluka 55 years
Anita Ruffner 55 years
Betty Viola 55 years
Marie O'Neill 55 years
Darlene Morrow 54 years
Margaret Mulvihill 54 years
Mary Tedesco 54 years
Helen Dixon 53 years
Evelyn Seidler 53 years
Josephine Goeser 51 years

October 2008

Catholic Daughters Sunday 2008