Catholic Daughters of the Americas

National Headquarters 10 West 71st Street

www.catholicdaughters.org New York, NY 10023

212-877-3041

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2009

Dear Officers, Chaplain and Members,

What do we imagine when we think of Thanksgiving? A table set with all kinds of goodies: a beautifully baked turkey, Mom’s favorite dressing, yams, cranberries, desserts and, best of all, loved ones gathered around the table to celebrate and to give thanks for being part of each others’ lives. When you receive this letter Thanksgiving will be a memory, and I trust you enjoyed all of these special things with your friends and family.

We will soon be entering the Advent Season and preparing for the birth of Christ. The Apostle Luke tells us in Chapter 1 Verse 14, “you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.” The joy and gladness of His birth is often overshadowed by the commercialism of Christmas. We must work at keeping the reason for this Holy Season alive in our hearts and the hearts of our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Our National Convention is just around the corner. You have already received the convention mailing from the office staff. If you have not started making plans to attend the convention in Buffalo, New York, I urge to begin doing that now. National Director and Convention Chairman Helene Shepard and the New York State Board and membership are hard at work making this a very memorable convention for you. We, the members of the National Board, also are planning to make this a convention that you will not soon forget.

In March 2010 you will be electing a Nominating Committee and in May 2010 ELECTION OF LOCAL COURT OFFICERS

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local courts will be electing new officers for the period June 2010 to May 2012. Enclosed you will find pertinent information concerning the Nominating Committee procedures. Please read it carefully and provide the instructions, as well as your court roster, to the elected Nominating Committee for their reference.

Questions are being asked as to the status of the local courts’ affiliation with the National Council of Catholic Women. During the NCCW Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, the topic of the local courts’ affiliation being under the umbrella of the National CDA affiliation was addressed. We were told that if a local court wanted to be affiliated with NCCW, it had to pay its own affiliation dues. The amount of the dues is yet to be determined by NCCW. Each affiliation has two votes at the National NCCW Convention.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN (NCCW)

The Two –Year Calendar Fund raiser is well under way. 2 YEAR POCKET PLANNER

Thank you

to all of you who have generously donated. If you have not been able to make a donation, we hope you enjoy the calendar. Please keep us in your prayers as you use the calendar.

WE DO NOT sell our membership lists to anyone as this is against the bylaws of the Order. Your donations for our fundraisers are sent to a “caging” company usually located in Virginia or Maryland. This company handles only transactions pertaining to our fundraiser. Please do not use the envelope or address for any other purpose.

All courts should have received their November envelope from the National Office with the National Semi-annual dues invoice, 53rd National Convention in Buffalo, NY information and Delegate and Alternate forms. Please be sure to have the paperwork returned to the National Office on time.

NATIONAL CONVENTION

Enclosed is a flier from NY State Regent Penny Martin inviting you to “Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord” and join the Catholic Daughter Choir for the convention. Please contact Penny.

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 71st Street, New York, NY 10023.

EVANGELIZATION ORNAMENTS

37th ANNUAL MARCH FOR LIFE January 21 and 22The Executive Committee, Margaret Sitte and several Board members, will be in Washington, DC, in January, to attend the Vigil Mass for Life on January 21st and the March for Life on January 22nd. The theme will be “Stand Up Now! Unite for the Life Principles--No Exception! No Compromise!” This year we will be marching behind our own 6 foot banner proclaiming Catholic Daughters of the Americas for Life. Join us! We will meet at the corner of Constitution Ave NW and Pennsylvania Ave NW at 12 noon.

Enclosed is a sponsor sheet to use to help raise money for the March for Life Education and Defense Fund. For every $1.00 sent to March for Life, 50¢ is returned to your CDA Pro-Life Committee. Please complete the attached form, send it with a check made out to March for Life and give it to someone who will be marching or send it to your National Supervisor who will be walking. All final donations must be sent to her by 3/1/10. Please be sure to write your Court’s name and address in the appropriate section. Good Luck!

Once again we are being asked to join Morality in Media by supporting the annual Turn Off TV Day TURN OFF TV” DAY, WEDNESDAY, February 14

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT TV

• Number of 30-second commercials seen in a year by an average child: 20,000 • Time per week that parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children: 38.5 minutes • Time per week that the average child watches television: 1,680 minutes • Percentage of children ages 6-17 who have TV's in their bedrooms: 50% • Percentage of day care centers that use TV during a typical day: 70% • Hours per year the average American youth spends in school: 900 hours • Hours per year the average American youth watches television: 1500 hours • Percentage of Americans that regularly watch television while eating dinner: 66%

Enclosed you will find the JCDA Proclamation for your use. NATIONAL JCDA SUNDAY – February 21

Our annual Lecture at the Catholic University in Washington, D.C. will be held on March 21, 2010. The lecturer will be Margaret M. McGuinness, Professor and Chair. Religion Department, La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA. Her lecture is titled “They’re No Angels: Reflections on American Catholic Female Saints.” Please try to attend.

ANNUAL CDA LECTURE – March 21

Enclosed is the latest information provided by our Legislative Chairman, Margaret Sitte. Please read and pass along the information to your members.

OPERATION MORNING STAR

All CDA Courts are now covered under the Wells Fargo Liability Insurance (formerly Wachovia) from April 10, 2009 through April 10, 2010. 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. If your court has not yet paid for their coverage, please do so now.

LIABILITY INSURANCE

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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.

GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMS

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 90th, 95th or 100th Anniversary, if invited. May God grant you many more successful CDA years.

COURT ANNIVERSARIES

We instituted new campus courts at the following campuses. What about your state? NEW CAMPUS COURTS

Dr. Kim Archer

Advisor Court Daughters of St. Agnes #2622

Stephen F. Austin College 211 East College

Nacogdoches, TX 75965

Sister Jeanmarie Gribaudo, C.S.J. Advisor

Court Stonehill College #2623 Stonehill College

21 Milwood Street Dorchester, MA 02124

We are proud to inform you of the institution of the following new courts – congratulations and best wishes may be sent to:

NEW COURTS

Sylvia Ann Molina

Regent Court Daughters of St. Joseph #2619

172 N CR 1060 Kingsville, TX 78363

Angela Granger Regent

Court St Ann #2620 1823 Oberlin Rd

Mamou, LA 70554

Kristen Golla Regent

Court Protector of Families #2621 112 Hawk Circle Cibolo, TX 78108

Judith A Wood Regent

Court Prince Gallitzen #2625 5239 Coldesser Ave Altoona, PA 16601

Chrystina Power Regent

Court Our Lady of the Hill Country #2626

88 Calendula St Spring Branch, TX 78070

Catherine A. Kimper Regent

Court St. Monica #2627 1920 Kettle River Rd

Kettle Falls, WA 99141-8782

Please note the fee for a new court charter application is now $30.00. NEW COURT CHARTERS

It is important to keep in mind that orders for 14K, 10K and Sterling Silver take PAST REGENT JEWELRY

approximately ten to twelve weeks for delivery and must be accompanied by a court check covering a deposit of 50% of your order

. If your Court Regent is not seeking another term of office, get a start on ordering a suitable gift for her.

The 1903 Society has become a great help in the upkeep of the National Headquarters in New York City. Is your yearly membership due? Has your court become a member of the 1903 Society?

DONATIONS TO THE NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

The “Growing Tree” at the National Headquarters also lists the names of courts, groups, or individuals on its Memorial plaque and an Honorable Donor plaque. A donation for a name on either plaque is $100. The

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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 71st Street, New York, New York 10023

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.

SHARE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS

Please pray for the following deceased and their families: PRAYERS

National Regent Libby Ramirez’s sister, Concepcion Galindo. Please send condolences to Lupe Martinez, 1001 Westward St, Victoria, TX 77901 and Past National Director Dolly Peña’s husband, Augusto. Please send condolences to Dolly at 1520 Garfield St., Laredo, TX 78040.

Please make the following updates to your directories: ADDRESS AND EMAIL UPDATE

National Secretary-Treasurer New Mexico State Regent Theresa Kocer Annie Duran email is 1601 S Campbell Trail annie.duran248@gmail.com Sioux Falls, SD 57106 Has your address or email changed? If so, please be sure to notify your State as well as the National Office of these changes. It is very important that we have your apartment, unit or room number. Likewise, we need to know if you live on Virginia St., Ave., Blvd. This is important in these days of automation as the Post Office will not deliver mail unless it is addressed correctly. May this Christmas be filled with happiness in all that you do, and may this joy continue the whole year through. The National Board wishes you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the love of the new born Child be with your always and remember “For in Him we live, and move and have our being.”

Yours in Christ,

Libby Ramirez

National Regent

Attachments: CDA Convention Choir Evangelization Ornaments March for Life Donation Form JCDA Proclamation 1903 Society Growing Tree SHARE Subscription Form 2010 Local Court Election of Officer Information RKI Insurance Plans Morality in Media Newsletter Operation Morning Star

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Please PRINT all information below and mail this coupon to Penny Martin, PO Box 32, New Russia, NY 12964: NAME: _________________________________________ State: ______________ Court #: _____________________ Address: __________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________________________________

JUNIOR CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAS

2010 JCDA DAY PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS: The Junior Catholic Daughters of the America, the national youth program for Catholic girls ages 6 through 18 years of age and

WHEREAS: The Junior Catholic Daughters encourages

spiritual growth by providing opportunities for personal prayer, liturgy, and ecumenical understanding and

WHEREAS: Pope Benedict XVI has declared this “The

Year of the Priest”, now be it

RESOLVED: That each Junior Catholic Daughter member participate in all activities and prayers aimed at celebrating the life of priests and priestly vocations, and be it further

RESOLVED: That Sunday, February 21, 2010 be

observed as National Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas Day

Given this _______________ day of __________ By: ____________________________________ (Signature of civic official) _______________________________________ (Title of civic official)

December, 2009

Dear State and Local Court Regents:

Are your State and Local Court Chaplains receiving Share Magazine? Are the Bishops of your Diocese receiving SHARE Magazine? If not, why not send in a subscription to have his/their name(s) added to our list so that he doesn’t miss out on all the important news about our wonderful organization.

I am enclosing a subscription sheet to be completed and returned to the National Office as soon as possible. The subscription rate for Chaplains or any other Clergy member is $4.00 per year. If you send in a subscription for 3 years the cost will be $10.00 or for 5 years the cost will only be $17.00.

If you would like to have a subscription for your local library or schools the cost for a one subscription will be $8.00 per year.

So that we can update our records properly, we ask that if your court has recently paid for your Chaplain’s subscription, kindly complete the attached form and enclose a copy of both sides of your cancelled check.

If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Warm regards, Margaret O’Brien Executive Director

STATE________ COURT NAME_________________________________________ NO.___________ CHAPLAIN’S NAME________________________________________________________________________________ (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY) ADDRESS_______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ If you have a change of Chaplain or a change of address for the chaplain or clergy please remember to advise the National Office. Additional names may be added on the reverse side of this letter. _______________One Year Subscription @ a cost of $4.00 _______________ Three Year Subscription @ a cost of $10.00 _______________ Five Year Subscription @ a cost of $17.00 I would like the following institution (i.e.; libraries, schools etc.) to receive Share Magazine at the rate of $8.00 per year. ____________________________________________ (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY) _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ I have enclosed check #_____________________ in the amount of $________________ payable to Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Please return this form to the National Office as soon as possible to the following address Catholic Daughters of the Americas Share Magazine Subscription

10 West 71st Street New York, NY 10023

Catholic Daughters of the Americas

National Headquarters 10 West 71st Street

www.catholicdaughters.org New York, NY 10023

212-877-3041

Bylaws call for the slate to be sent with the notice of the time and place of the May election meeting.

1. At the May meeting, THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN will present the proposed

slate of officers to the membership. The responsibility of the Nominating Committee is now completed.

NOTE: THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE IS NOT OBLIGATED TO FILL THE SLATE;

IT IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT TO HAVE A COMPETENT PERSON FILLING THE OFFICE THAN A NAME. WE MUST HAVE HIGH STANDARDS IN ALL OUR COURTS, AND OFFICERS WHO ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE, COMMITTED, TACTFULL AND ABOVE ALL HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME TO COMPLETE THE TASK SUCCESSFUL.

TO BE RETAINED BY THE REGENT

LOCAL COURT NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS INFORMATION

FOR 2010

The following is detailed data to assist the Regent in handling the business of Nominations and Elections in the Local Court. (NONE OF THIS DETAILED INFORMATION NEEDS TO BE READ TO THE MEMBERS. IT IS FOR THE USE OF THE REGENT ONLY).

MARCH MEETING - 2010

CDA Bylaws require that, at the regular business meeting in March, a Nominating Committee of THREE (3) OR FIVE (5) MEMBERS SHALL BE ELECTED. As the Bylaws state, they SHALL BE ELECTED. No other procedure can be used in selecting this Committee. NO MEMBER SHALL SERVE MORE THAN TWO CONSECUTIVE TERMS ON THIS COMMITTEE. The Nominations for this Committee are from the floor, and if only the required five (5) are nominated, the Regent proceeds, as follows:

REGENT

THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE (reads the list of those nominated). As many are in favor of their election, say “aye”; those opposed, say “nay”. THE “AYES” HAVE IT AND “X”, “Y”, “Z”, “A” AND “B” WILL SERVE ON THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE. If more than five are nominated, then the members will proceed to ballot just as they do in any election, and the three (3) or five (5) receiving the highest number of votes will be the members of the Committee (in this case, a plurality vote exists).

MAY MEETING - 2010

As the first order of business under NEW BUSINESS, the Officer will call for the report from the Nominating Committee. The Chairman will rise, read the report starting with the Regent, then Vice Regent, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary and Treasurer (just as they are listed in the Bylaws). The Chairman then hands the slate to the Regent. (THERE IS NO MOTION TO ACCEPT OR ADOPT THIS SLATE). The REGENT then says after reading the report again: NOMINATIONS FROM THE FLOOR ARE NOW OPEN. THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE HAS

PRESENTED THE NAME OF “X” FOR THE OFFICE OF REGENT. ARE THERE ANY FURTHER NOMINATIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF REGENT?

(Nominations from the floor ARE NOT SECONDED).

AFTER PAUSING, THE REGENT PROCEEDS IN THE SAME MANNER THROUGH ALL THE OFFICES. If there are nominations from the floor for any office, she accepts these by repeating the name of the person, i.e. B has been nominated for Vice Regent. At the conclusion of Nominations from the floor, the presiding officer will say: ARE THERE NOMINATIONS FOR ANY OFFICE? And then, HEARING NONE, THE CHAIR DECLARES THE NOMINATIONS CLOSED (there is no motion to close nominations.

REGENT

Following the close of nominations, the Regent says: WE WILL PROCEED TO THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS. At this time, she will appoint two (2) Tellers (the first-named Teller is called the Head Teller), and a Tally Clerk, if there are opposed officers. If no opposition, these persons are not needed.

PROCEDURE WHEN OFFICERS ARE UNOPPOSED

The Regent reads all officers who are unopposed. The CDA bylaws give permission for the Chair to take a voice vote in the case where Officers are unopposed, as follows:

REGENT

All those in favor of: “X” for Regent “Y” for Vice Regent “Z” for Recording Secretary “A” for Financial Secretary “B” for Treasurer will say “aye” - those opposed, say “nay”. The “ayes” have it and your have elected “X” Regent, “Y” Vice Regent, “Z” Recording Secretary, etc. If one or two of the officers are opposed, then the Regent takes only those unopposed and uses the above procedure, and the members will then ballot on the officers who are opposed.

PROCEDURE FOR OFFICERS WHO ARE OPPOSED

For those officers who are opposed, the members are given ballots which have been prepared before the meeting by the Recording Secretary in case of the necessity of balloting. The Tellers and Tally Clerk pass out the ballots to the members and then collect them in a box or basket. If a member makes an error in writing her ballot, she should ask the Head Teller for another ballot, returning the one made in error. The ballot will be immediately destroyed. Before proceeding to ballot, the Regent should count the number of members present and eligible to vote so that the Tellers and Tally Clerk can ascertain the correctness of the number of ballots (the meeting may proceed while ballots are counted, either in the meeting room or outside). At the conclusion of the tallying, the Head Teller prepares the report, as follows:

Votes cast 64 Vice Regent

NOTENeeded to elect 33 elects the officer

: a simple majority (1 more than 50%)

“Y” 38 “C” 26

This report contains all the officers who are opposed. When called upon, the Head Teller reads the report in its entirety and then hands it to the Regent who re-reads the report out loud and says, “By your voting, you have elected Y. to the office of Vice Regent”, etc.

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