Last Sunday, I took a break from real estate to be with 50 or so members of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Sacred Heart #370 to celebrate our 90-year anniversary. We started the day with a mass at St. Dominic Church in Oyster Bay, NY with the choir singing. The officers in their official robes joined the procession. The Rev. Msgr. James Collins Memorial Choir sang glorious music. I sang with the Choir and then joined the CDA members later for lunch at Epiphany Restaurant in Glen Cove, NY.
The lunch was organized by all the living past regents (presidents) of which I was one of them. We had a display of 4 collages of events over the years. I did research on the history of the CDA organization since the inception of the national organization and our own installation in 1919.
Background
The Knight of Columbus finding a need for a national organization for women, decided to institute courts of up to 50 charter members, mostly wives, sweethearts and friends of the Knights. The National Order of the Daughters of Isabella with John E. Carberry as the First Supreme Regent started in 1903 in Utica, New York. It was not until 1915 that Mary McKernan served as the first woman supreme regent.
Sixteen years later, Court Sacred Heart #370 was chartered on June 1, 1919 with 35 charter members and Helene Mahon Horan was the First Grand Regent. We started our Court when Genevieve Walsh was the Supreme Regent.
The Daughters of Isabella held eight Biennial Conventions before official action was taken to change the organization's name from the National Order of the Daughters of Isabella to the Catholic Daughters of America. This decision came on April 9, 1921 at the Ninth Biennial Convention.
On the 75th anniversary of Catholic Daughters of America in 1978, at the convention in New York City, the delegates voted to change the name Catholic Daughters of America to The Catholic Daughters of the Americas and in June 1979, by decree of the Supreme Court of the State of New York this title became official.
The Catholic Daughters of the Americas has 95,000 members in more than 1,400 courts (local chapters) in 45 states across the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Guam, and the Virgin Islands engaged in Spiritual and Social action programs in every area of society.
Membership and Dues
In the ‘40s, growth in membership had slowed down. As a matter of fact, it was going down and hit a record low of 31 members in 1952. Then it started flourishing again when Catherine Johnson was the regent. Membership really gained momentum in the late 50's when Lily Conklin was the Regent. Membership was 89 when she started and hit 156 before she left the office. The next regent was Jane Donnelly and she took in 28 members. Then Ann Bifulco came when we hit the highest of 208 in 1960.
In 1919 there was an initiation fee of $2 to join. Our dues in 1919 was $.50 per quarter but was raised to $1.00 per quarter the following year and it continued at the same rate till 1969 when it was raised to $5. In 1994 during our 75th year, our dues were $15.00. Our dues of $25 now are really small compared to dues of $4.00 in 1919.
Office and Password
At the National Biennial Convention held in 1966, the title Supreme Regent was changed to National Regent and Grand Regent changed to Regent.
In the early years, there was also an office called the monitor who was in charge of the flag and banner at all meetings and ceremonies. This was eliminated in the 80's. The office of the Second Vice Regent was also eliminated.
There was a time too when ceremonials were very strict on attire. We used to wear cap with the robe and white gloves and white shoes. Jewelry was forbidden. No earrings were allowed. Little by little, rules were eased off. Out went the cap, then the white gloves. Small earrings like pearl studs were allowed but no dangling earrings.
Meetings
During the early days, no one is admitted to the meeting room while there was a speaker on the floor. In those days you were also issued a password and nobody was allowed to the convention hall or meeting without it and the monitor collected them before the meeting.
CDA in Washington, DC.
When the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was built in Washington, D.C. the Catholic Daughters donated the five altars behind the main altar at a cost of $250,000.
In 1974 the Catholic Daughters, in commemoration of the upcoming Bicentennial of the Nation in 1976 decided to endow a Chair in "American Catholic Church History" at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
In 1986 we helped again in the CDA pledge of $500,000 made to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference to assist the Bishops with their relocation project in Washington, D.C.
Circle of Love Program
In 1996 at the convention in Tampa, Florida, we adopted the "The Circle of Love" Program. It is a seven-point program that will assist members in working with the Church and community to address the needs of society that are deeply affecting today's generation, the seniors and human life. The general goals are to develop leaders from the membership, improve spiritual enhancement of members and friends, improve the quality of life issues by helping to prevent domestic violence, child abuse and addictions.
CDA Projects
Throughout the years, we have supported these national projects:
Catholic Relief Services, Covenant House, Apostleship of the Sea and Disaster Assistance
Missionaries of Charity (Mother Theresa's community), Father Peyton, Health and Life
SOAR - Support Our Aging Religious, Scholarship for Teachers of Exceptional Children
North American College -$1 per member
On the local level, we have given time and money to charitable causes:
Community Social Action Council (CSAC) T hanksgiving food drive
Interreligious & Human Needs Council Toy Drive
Celia's pantry - food and hygiene items, St. Rocco's Festival
St. Dominic High school award, Oyster Bay High School award
There are other charitable causes that we contributed over the years:
Catholic Charities, Maryknoll Sisters, Trinity Missions, Holy Cross Mission - Fr. Jim Rahilly
St. Dominic Centennial Celebration - We contributed to the New Walk for Chapel's 100th anniversary when a call to refurbish a walkway between rectory and the chapel was announced.
Birthright - Momma's House - For several years, we held Baby Shower for Birthright in April. 
March for Life which Terri Walston and some ladies went in Washington, DC and on Route 110, Melville, NY., Scott bar codes - The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island
Morality in Media - In 1992, the national board unanimously approved the WRAP Program - White Ribbons Against Pornography. In 1995 we joined the fight against pornography in late October. That year, we distributed 800 flyers and 1000 white ribbons.
Priest Appreciation Day - the first Sunday in June was designated by CDA to honor priests for their faithful support of the CDA in addition to their many other duties.
Fundraising Activities
In the ‘70s and ‘80s, we used to have Fashion Shows with our members doing the modeling.
At some point, we also had Spaghetti Dinner where members did all the cooking.
No catholic organization can do without Bingo and we had Bingo Nights years ago and were very popular. We also had Chinese Auction in the ‘90s.
Father's Day Bake Sale has been a tradition for years. In '97, we introduced the Super Bowl Bake Sale. It was an instant success so we decided to stay with it.
We had Ice Cream Social at Rosalinda Morgan's Rose Garden for ten years.
The Tea Party was introduced in 2005 and today it is the most successful fundraiser ever.
Copyright © 2009. By Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady". All rights reserved.. *LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAS CELEBRATED 90-YEAR ANNIVERSARY*
If you are interested in selling or buying a home in Brookville, Muttontown, Oyster Bay, East Norwich, Oyster Bay Cove, Syosset, Laurel Hollow, Bayville, Centre Island and Mill Neck, please contact Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady".
Ph - 516-385-0584
Email - linda@rosalindamorgan.com
Website - www.rosalindamorgan.com
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