MOUNT CARMEL - The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Of Our Lady of Victory 588 held its monthly meeting Sept. 21 with an opening prayer by the Rev. Frank Karwacki of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.
Officers attending were Mary Snyder, regent; Roseann Chesney, vice regent; Lois Sejuit, secretary; Mary Catherine Wydra, financial secretary, and Nora Avellino, treasurer.
The meeting started with the way Catholic Daughters pray every day, with three Hail Marys, three Hail Marys to end terrorism, an Our Father and Hail Mary and Glory Be for peace in Mexico, three Hail Marys for the victims of the Shady Hook tragedy and the Pledge of Allegience.
New member Katherine Peeler of Our Lady of Hope Church took the membership pledge and was welcomed into the group, bringing the membership total to 64 members.
After the treasurer and financial secretary's report, the group talked about unfinished business. Some members attended a seminar in Hershey Oct. 3 with a report coming at a future meeting.
The organization will sell Christmas pins this year which are inscribed, "It's Okay to say Merry Christmas to me." This will be the third year that CDA will be selling them at a cost of $1. Anyone who would like one can contact a member.
Mary Snyder talked about celebrating sisterhood by meeting in the vestibule of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at the Oct. 19 Mass in honor of living and deceased members. That date was National Catholic Daughters of Americas Day. A luncheon followed the Mass at the Mount Carmel Senior Center.
Donna Sassani commented on local food banks being low and suggested CDA can conduct a food drive in conjunction with the annual November members' food donation. Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off at the Mount Carmel Area Public Library until Nov. 22.
Members will visit Mount Carmel Area and Our Lady of Lourdes Regional schools for the annual CDA art and essay contestThis year's theme is "Love Your Neighbor as Yourself. Be A Good Neighbor."
After reporting on Karwacki's 70th birthday celebration, the group's chaplain discussed and showed DVDs, "With God in Prison - The story of the Rev. Walter Ciszek" and "Rev. Michael McGivney - Knights of Columbus."
Karwacki gave the closing prayer. The group sang the closing ode.