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My Dear Catholic Daughters,

The year is moving so quickly!

We just finished the Christmas

season, and now we are

preparing for Lent. In a way,

the fast pace is a blessing. We

are being given opportunity

after opportunity to turn

toward God and to come closer

to Him. Life is so hectic that we need to take advantage of

our opportunities to receive comfort, healing, and a

renewed spirit so that we can continue to work together.

It is the working together on which I would like to focus.

As I write this article, I have just returned from the March

for Life in Washington, DC. It was truly a magnificent

experience, and we left feeling a renewed hope that Roe V

Wade will one day be overturned. As we wait, however,

what are we doing? As Catholic Daughters, we are

working to bring about the Kingdom of God here on earth.

We are working to ensure that the lives we are saving are

coming in to a safer world. So, we build houses, we work

for food banks, we raise money to support seminarians, we

work to make schools safer, we provide scholarships, and

we hold clothing drives. We work for justice, we work for

equality, and, most importantly, we pray. We intercede

for God’s people, for our country, and for our world.

As Catholic Daughters, we cannot afford to become

complacent or to give up. We must continue to offer

ourselves for God to use as He desires. There is too much

at stake for us to let ourselves grow cold. This Lenten

season let the Lord stoke your fire. Let Him renew your

resolve and your desire to make the world around you

better. You may not be able to solve the world’s problems,

but you can touch the lives of those around you. You can

change things for the better in your parish and in your

community. The size of your court doesn’t matter; the

general age of the members of your court does not matter;

all that matters is a determination to listen for God’s voice

and to do what He calls you to do. You are impressive

servants of God!

Finally, encourage others to serve. We can’t do it all

alone; we need others to help us and to take up the work

when we no longer are able to do it. So, talk about our

work to other women. Encourage them to use their gifts

and talents in service to God. CDA is a great sisterhood!

Invite others to join you, today!

We are heading into a busy state convention season. I hope each of you will attend your state convention. Work and plan together and bring what you learn back to your court. Most importantly, pray that women will step up to run for state office. For CDA to thrive, we need women committed to service who are also willing to lead others into service. Included in this issue is a prayer for the upcoming state elections. Let’s all start praying for leaders, today. It is an exciting time for CDA. Be part of it! God’s peace and joy be with you!

March 2019

Newsletter Highlights

Website Contest ……………………….……………………... Page 8

Education Contest & Scholarships .…………………………. Page 8

Newsletter Contest ……………………………………………. Page 9

National Convention …………………. ……………………... Page 10

Prayer in Preparation for the Election of Officers ………….. Page 12

Prayers of Condolences & Get Well …………………………. Page 10

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A Message from Our National Chaplain

Most Reverend Brendan J. Cahill, S.T.D.

National Chaplain

We Never Walk Alone

This January a group of 63 people from our diocese of Victoria joined a pilgrimage to Washington, DC to participate in the annual March for Life. In Washington we marched with tens of thousands of other people from around the nation. The Catholic Daughters were well-represented on this trip, a non-violent presence to promote the value of every person and challenge our leaders to stand up for a culture of life and respect. Now we are in the Easter season and my mind goes back to those days. Sometimes we may feel overwhelmed by the challenges we face. I definitely remember feeling during those days in January that sometimes the problems in the world, and even in my own Church, seem so overwhelming. Yet in the midst of the darkness the light of Jesus enters in and offers true hope and healing. Look at the story of the Easter tomb for insight. Mary and the women were overwhelmed with grief – their whole world had fallen apart. The one they loved and followed was no longer with them, and they must not have been able to see the next day (or maybe even the next hour). What to do but to go to the grave and mourn? Can you imagine the difference in their walking between the heavy weight of grief and the lightness of joy on the return home? The difference could be attributed to the personal, real presence of Jesus – not only does he appear risen from the dead, he also promises to walk the road with us. This seems to me the source of strength and hope each day. Each of us can probably identify with the following – I have my own weaknesses and fear, sometimes I walk the road with my face down and don’t even know what the next hour will bring – Jesus Christ comes to each of us in these times and promises that we never walk alone! My dear sisters, in this Easter season let us lift one another up by looking at the presence of Jesus all around us. First, He has given each of us the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are the true presence of hope to one another. Think about how much it meant when someone prayed for you in a difficult time – or even the humility when someone thanks you for the card or prayer you sent them in a time of need. Jesus Christ walks the road and makes the path a little lighter each day. Second, He is present in His community, the Church. When we gather and pray in the Eucharist the power of the Risen

Lord is completely present. This presence we carry into the streets of our life I thought about again looking back at the March for Life in January. We celebrated the Eucharist in a hotel meeting room with our group from Texas, we marched with tens of thousands in Washington and celebrated a large Mass in the Basilica the night before the March, and we encountered people at restaurants, on the Metro and at the hotel – all of these were events of carrying the presence of the Risen Lord to the streets of our life. Well, you’ve now filled me with hope and joy – may God bless you and your families in this Easter season and may you receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the Pentecost!

+Brendan

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A Message from Our National Clergy Consultant

Father Edward Lamp

National Clergy Consultant

The Tomb of Death Had Become the Womb of Life

Dear Catholic Daughters and friends;

We often speak about being pleasantly surprised. We can head into a situation expecting the worst, and the worst does not happen. We can go to a meeting with someone, dreading what might come out of it, and to our surprise it turns out to be a positive experience. We start into an enterprise with a group of people expecting nothing but trouble and it turns out to be a really worthwhile happening that bears fruit in all kinds of unexpected ways. We have all had our own moments of being pleasantly surprised. Those moments are a little bit like the experience of Jesus’ followers on that first Easter Sunday. The gospel describes the journey of Mary Magdalene to the tomb on the first day of the week. She had stood by the foot of the cross as Jesus was dying. Now she comes to stand outside his tomb and mourn. Those who have accompanied dying people on their final journey from this life often experience the need to spend time at the graveside after burial. Yet what Mary Magdalene found at the graveside on that first Easter morning was contrary to all her expectations. The stone that had blocked the opening was now rolled away, and the tomb itself stood empty. Standing outside the tomb weeping, as she had expected to do, was no longer an option. She had to run to tell the others, in particular Peter and the other disciple, what she had found. Although she did not yet understand the significance of the empty tomb, something extraordinary had happened. The crucified one had become the risen one. The tomb of death had become the womb of life. According to our gospel, it was the beloved disciple who first recognized the true significance of the empty tomb. “He saw and he believed.” The deeper truth of that empty tomb soon became clear to the other disciples, including Magdalene. The risen Lord would appear to them, and confirm them in their calling as disciples and in their mission to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. St. Paul, writing about twenty five years after the crucifixion, makes this famous declaration: “[Christ] appeared to Cephas and then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred of the brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” The crucifixion shows the faithfulness of Jesus to all of us, his faithful love for us, the resurrection reveals the faithfulness of God the Father to all of us. In raising Jesus from the dead, God the Father ensured that the life-giving movement that Jesus began would endure to embrace future generations, including all of us here in this church right now. If God had not raised his Son from the dead, Jesus would have been reduced to an historical footnote. Without the discovery of the empty tomb that first Easter Sunday, the gospel would not have been preached, the church would not have been born, and we would not be gathering here . As Paul writes to the church in Corinth, “if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.” Easter is by far the most important feast in the church’s calendar. This is why a whole season is given over to the celebration of this feast. This season of Easter lasts seven weeks, extending from today, Easter Sunday, until Pentecost Sunday. During this Easter season we give thanks to God who, in raising Jesus from the dead, assures us that he can raise us from death also. Because of that first Easter we live in hope of sharing in the risen life of Christ, beyond our time in this life. Because of that first Easter we also believe that God can work powerfully in us through all of our Calvary experiences. We each travel our own way of the cross from time to time. But Easter invites us to be surprised by God, surprised by joy, as Magdalene was on that first Easter. As Paul puts it, our prospects are glorious, for “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.” We pray this Easter for a more expectant and hopeful faith. Father Ed Lamp

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1. Rule-making and the heart

Every organization needs rules to keep the group running smoothly. Catholic Daughters have the bylaws and Tools of the Trade as their guides. The important word in that sentence is guide. Because this organization is made up of

human beings, sometimes it is better to remember that the members are volunteers who willingly give of their time. It is unrealistic to expect a member who is experiencing a destressing time in her life to be at an event or help with that event even though she had been assigned to be there. Anytime you must decide between the policy and the heart, go with the heart.

2. Expenses and training

Training for new officers can seem expensive. Yet focusing just on the cost is counterproductive to having officers who are trained and competent in serving their court. Encourage all members, but especially the officers to attend workshops and conventions presented by the state and national officers. Support court officers financially also. Put the cost of travel, lodging and registration in your court budget. Your investment will be rewarded with outstanding officers and members more willing to take on a new office because of this support.

3. Asking all or just a select few

Every court has that one person who can set up the bazaar, do all the advertising, manage the bake sale, and run the lunch stand. She has her clique who works with her and “outsiders” are really not

made to feel welcome. Be certain that all members feel they can contribute to this venture. Members who feel insignificant will soon lose interest and could become lost members of the court. New ideas should always be encouraged and welcomed.

4. Controlling or coaching

Asking a member to be a Circle of Love chairman or to be the chairman of an event or project can be rewarding to that member if she is allowed to use her own creative resources. The best leaders will coach the member rather than only pointing out the mistakes that could be or were made. Coaching allows the leader to accentuate strengths and improve weaknesses. Coaching also gives the member courage to tackle another task and grow in their love for our wonderful organization.

Continue to be positive and helpful

to all members.

Enjoy your leadership position.

Sherry Nilles, National Regent-Elect

National Leadership Chairman

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Celebrating Family

Traditions

Essie Walker, National Secretary-Treasurer

National Family Chairman

Easter is celebrated differently around the world, and we all have different traditions. Some churches start the holiday by lighting candles at midnight in order to remind individuals how Jesus defeated the darkness and continues to be the light of the world. They offer special services to discuss the resurrection of Jesus

along with an Easter meal, fun, and educational activities for the families.

Easter is a time when families have the opportunity to understand and appreciate the greatness and goodness of God. As a family, we must remember that the real purpose of the Easter season is to celebrate new life in Christ, and we can do that by using our family traditions. During these forty days, there are many traditional activities that will not only include learning more about the Resurrection of Christ, but they also will bring families closer together as well as helping to deepen relationships with God and His family.

When we speak of family traditions, the first one that comes to mind is families attending Easter Vigil or Mass on Easter Sunday. It is important that families schedule a time for prayer together. It is a great time to read bible stories that refresh our memory as to the reason we celebrate Easter.

There is no better tradition than to bring the family together to plant an Easter garden to celebrate new growth. Petunias and marigolds can turn a patch of dirt into a beautiful flower garden. Think of it as saying goodbye to winter and hello to spring and to renewal. Your family could even offer to clean out the flower beds at your church.

Of course, kids and grown-ups get excited when dyeing eggs. Take the time to set up a video recorder and record

your family dyeing eggs. This is a great family tradition that can be performed year after year and to create a home movie.

Remember your first Easter basket? Have family members make a basket to share with other family members. Give everyone the option to add books, bible verses, games, candy and cookies. Have each member make an extra basket for seniors in the neighborhood or in your church.

There is nothing like breaking out the mixing bowl, ingredients and the apron. Think of all the family fun you will have making sugar cookies or bunny cakes that can be shared with your CDA members in your court and in nursing homes.

Plan an activity with those in the nursing facility. Create an Easter Tree with their family photos or with colorful Easters Eggs that they can assist you in coloring. This tree could be displayed in their room or in a common area during Easter. Take a photo together that can be added to the tree on the following year.

During the Easter season, plan a simple meal together. By simplifying the meals, it will remind each one of us of the solemnity of the week leading us to sunset on Holy Saturday. Eliminating desserts is an easy way to do this. This can also be done within your CDA family. Include all family members when planning and preparing this meal. Once completed, sit down together and have each person say what they are thankful for.

Fasting is one of the spiritual disciplines. It reminds us of Jesus giving up his life for us. Take a moment and decide with your family members what each will give up.

Continued on Page 9, “Celebrating Family Traditions”

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Youth is defined as the period between childhood and maturity. No matter the age of our children, today they are dealing with different challenges than past generations. Social issues face our children and youth today such as bullying through online and texting, gun violence in schools and in public places, mental health issues of depression and anxiety in striving

to succeed, peer pressure to participate in drugs and alcohol use, and obesity due to a more sedentary lifestyle and the increased use of social media and video games. We, as a society, must be vigilant in our children’s lives by helping them navigate safely through these challenges. We can help our children and adolescents by modeling healthy behaviors and through teaching service to others. Let’s face it, our children love social media! When was the last time they sat down to read a book? Do you as a family read together? I challenge you to participate in Dr. Seuss Day! Celebrated annually on March 2nd, Dr. Seuss Day is a holiday that celebrates the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, the author of children’s books: Dr. Seuss. The National Education Association advocated for a day to celebrate reading all over the United States. In 1998, it started Read Across America Day. The decision was made to hold Read Across America Day on the same day as Dr. Seuss’ birthday. On Dr. Seuss Day it is customary to read a favorite book with your children. It could be one of Dr. Seuss’s books or it could be another children’s book author. The older children could read to the younger children. The purpose of this day is to engage our children, young and adolescent, in reading and to get them to read on a regular basis, so if you can’t celebrate on the 2nd, choose any day in March! CDA courts, consider hosting a reading party for JCDA (if applicable) and the children/grandchildren of court members on Dr. Seuss’ Birthday, Saturday, March 2, 2019! Invite the children of the parish. Have a birthday cake…and party hats! If you host, email me pictures of your event at lattusdl@gmail.com. Teaching service to others at a young age can help

reinforce healthy behaviors. Volunteering helps a child feel good about herself because she helps others. It teaches teamwork. It provides personal growth and boosts self-esteem. Some suggested activities for CDA courts and JCDA courts to sponsor which support children and adolescents are • Sponsor a clothing drive. • Organize a winter clothes drive to collect coats, hats,

scarves, and gloves to be donated. • Volunteer at a local soup kitchen. • Donate old eyeglasses to an organization that collects

them and distributes them to people in need (Example Lion’s Club).

• Collect non-perishable food in your neighborhood to donate to a local food bank.

• Donate newspapers, old towels and blankets to a local animal shelter.

• Raise money to provide a bulletproof vest for a police dog.

• Deliver cookies to the local police, fire and rescue department with a handmade Thank You card.

• Make “care kits” with shampoo, toothbrushes, combs, etc. to donate to homeless shelters.

• Donate art supplies for children in a homeless shelter. • Make first aid kits for homeless shelters. • Send cards to soldiers serving overseas. • Organize a car wash and donate the profits to a

charity. • Donate stuffed animals to children in hospitals. • Organize a summer reading program in your

neighborhood to encourage kids to read. • Read to residents at a local nursing home. • Donate used children’s books to a school library. • Recycle old greeting cards into bookmarkers for

school libraries. • Volunteer to help with Vacation Bible School. • Mow an elderly neighbor’s lawn. • Rake leaves, shovel snow, or wash windows for a

senior citizen. • Clean up a local park. • Plant a tree for Arbor Day. Continued on Page 9, “Supporting Today’s Children and Youth”

Debbie Lattus, National Director

National Youth & JCDA Co-Chairman

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Resolutions are firm decisions to do or not to do something. A great intention, determination, a meaningful purpose are resolutions. What can we, as the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, employ our membership and others to undertake? Current Resolutions are on the CDA

Website: https://www.catholicdaughters.org/resolutions Take time during your CDA meetings to discuss this. Select a resolution committee to bring to your membership, share with the State Officers, and forward to National Board for adoption. Acquaint yourself with the general format for resolutions. Many people use examples from parliamentary procedure as the guideline for structure and flow of a resolution. Such helpful guides as Robert’s Rules of Order can provide examples of the use of key phrases such as “whereas” and “resolved.” A guide to writing resolutions can also be found in the Tools of the Trade. Define the situation that you believe needs to be addressed. This will often mean focusing in on a core issue that may be impacting a larger issue facing the organization. Be as specific as possible about the nature of this core issue, as this helps to lay the groundwork for demonstrating the relevance of the resolution to the current condition of the organization. Outline the negative impact created by the current condition of the core issue. The idea is to offer specific examples of how the present status is creating counterproductive situations that are draining the resources of the organization. These examples help to illustrate why some type of action should be taken. Offer specific recommendations for action that will help to turn the negative situation into a positive one. This is the true meat of the resolution as it moves away from

essentially stating why something is wrong, and now offering solutions to correct the problem. As with the identification of the issue and the outlining of why the issue is having a negative effect, be as specific and detailed as possible with the offered solution. Set the first draft of the resolution aside for a day or two then read it through. Often, you will find small changes in wording come to mind, or possibly the inclusion of more detail that will make the resolution more focused and precise. Incorporate these changes into the body of the proposed resolution and set aside the second draft for a short period. After a second review, if nothing else comes to mind, it is time to present the resolution to the body. The process for effectively writing just about a resolution is fairly straightforward, and can be adapted to fit any situation. Together we can put into action a great intention and purpose.

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Do You Like to Shop?

Check out the CDA Store on the national website for the latest materials, supplies, and clothing at www.catholicdaughters.org Some items are on sale!

M. Susan Hicks, National Director

National Resolutions Chairman

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Marialice Sagan, National Director National Education Chairman

Just a reminder that the national deadline for all contests is April 1, 2019. The entries for the student education contest should be at the state level by now following the theme of “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will,” or “Doing my best to do good.” Encourage post graduate students to apply for a Father Leonard Bachman graduate scholarship. There are three $2500 awards. In 2018, there were 24 applicants so odds of getting a scholarship were good. The rules for this scholarship are on the National CDA website. Remember the deadline is April 1.

A common lament of the Catholic Daughters is that we can’t seem to attract or keep younger members. At the same time, many of us refuse to make some basic changes which would appeal to those younger members, including how we communicate with and provide information to members. The digital age is upon us. We can embrace it

or get left behind in its dust. The status quo in this modern age is that organizations have websites. When potential customers (in our case, potential members) want to learn about an organization, the first thing they do is go to the organization’s website seeking information. How many of our courts have websites? Sadly, the answer is ‘not many.’ So, when that potential member wants to know when and where we meet, the types of activities we have, the projects we’ve done lately, they look for our website…………..and often come up empty. The potential member may be left thinking that if this were a worthwhile organization, it would have a website. The CDA Website Contest goal is to encourage courts to have their own website and to recognize those courts whose websites are ‘the best of the best.’ Websites are

judged on layout, interest, appeal (yes, to those potential members), ease of locating information, creativity in design, freshness of content, information about the court and its history, as well as coverage of local, state, and national news / projects / activities, and links to appropriate sites (such as your Diocesan website and the National CDA website). This is all information which potential members want to know about your court. If your court doesn’t yet have a website, the time is now. Discuss it in your next meeting. Ask members if they have website skills or if they have relatives with those skills. An enthusiastic high school computer class might even want to help your court create its own website. One of the best ways to start may be to approach a younger member – or potential member – and ask her to oversee the project. If your court already has a website, I hope you will participate in the 2019 Website Contest. Information about the contest was previously sent out to all State and Territorial courts. Local, Campus, and JCDA courts must submit entries to the State Website Chairman by 3/1/2019. State and Territorial courts must submit their entries to the National Chairman by 4/1/2019. Prizes will be awarded at the July 2019 State Officers Conference.

Pamela J. Poland, National Director

National Website Contest Chairman

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From Page 5, “Celebrating Family Traditions” by Essie Walker

On Sunday evening come together as a family and decide

one thing the family will do differently during the week.

Think back to your childhood and take a moment to remember how your family celebrated Easter. Do you still carry on those traditions with your family and friends? Traditions can help families to embrace the reality of Christ's resurrection and remind us that it is the promise of new life, new energy and new possibilities.

From Page 6, “Supporting Today’s Children and Youth by Debbie Lattus

• Place a bird feeder and bird fountain in your backyard.

• Start a butterfly garden in your community. • Care for a neighbor’s pet while they are away. • Build and set up a bird house. • Become CPR certified. • Plant flowers in bare public areas. • Volunteer to clean up trash at a community event. Now that you know some ideas for children and youth to engage in, look for opportunities that interest your specific CDA court. Do some research to see what projects you can do within your local community. Consider how much time the court can devote to community service. Will it be an ongoing project or a one-time event? Involve the children and adolescents. The goal is to support our children and youth in seeing the benefit of service to others therefore enriching their own lives. Recognizing the importance of education and supporting our youth, the National Catholic Daughter of the Americas Court awards two $1,000.00 scholarships to 8th grade students entering 9th grade in the fall of 2019 to a Catholic High School. The application requirements can be found at www.catholicdaughters.org at the bottom of the home page under scholarship applications. Also awarded is a $1,000.00 scholarship to a JCDA member entering college in the fall of 2019. The application requirements can be found at www.catholicdaughters.org at the bottom of the home page under scholarship applications. All entries must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2019, and mailed to

Debbie Lattus, Youth/JCDA Chairman 39424 Rodeffer Road

Lovettsville, VA 20180

One of the vital parts of keeping a court strong and productive is good communication.

Communication can be accomplished by several means such as phone chains and emails. Having a court newsletter is essential to keeping everyone informed and up to date on the activities and happenings in your Court, your State and National. A newsletter helps members to stay connected

to the court and can encourage more participation and fellowship. It is a real link for members who aren’t able to attend meetings for whatever reason and they feel that they are still an important part of your court.

Share your newsletters with not just your members but your State officers and chairmen. Take pride in your work and enter the Newsletter contest. The newsletter guidelines and cover page can be found on our National website. Read the guidelines closely so you are compliant for the proper category for your newsletter. I enjoy reading the many newsletters I receive and look forward to your newsletter being submitted for the contest.

Susan Moné

Second Vice National Regent Newsletter Contest Chairman

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We send best wishes to the following courts. May you be guided by God’s loving hands as you start your “Unity and Charity” journey.

Court St Luke #2749 Regent: Imelda Garcia

3470 Smith Rd. Brownsville, TX 78526

Court Blessed Sacrament #2750

Regent: Lisa Haas

8725 W. Pinchot Ave.

Phoenix, Az 85037

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1. Always rise when addressing the chair.

2. Wait to be recognized.

3. Write your motions on forms provided and submit to the regent.

4. There can be no debate until the motion is moved and seconded.

5. The motion is then considered and debated.

6. The maker of the motion is the first to speak in debate.

7. During debate, direct your discussion to the chair,

not to individuals nor about personalities.

8. Amendments may be made to improve the motion.

9. Keep debate germane to the motion.

10. Amendments to a main motion must be approved prior to voting on the main motion.

11. Following all debate, the regent puts the question.

12. The Regent announces the result of the vote.

We want all Catholic Daughters of the Americas to head to Texas for the next National Convention to be held July 15-19, 2020, at the downtown Sheraton Hotel in Dallas, Texas. There will be tours and lots of neat stores at which to shop. Hey, ladies, check this out - Neiman Marcus is only one city block from the convention site! You can visit the George Bush Presidential Library as well as the 6th Floor Museum from which Lee Harvey Oswald sat himself down to shoot John F. Kennedy. Lots of history here as well. So, be sure to save the date and mark your calendars because you will not want to miss out on guessing “WHO IS THE REAL MINNIE PEARL?”

More information will be forthcoming.

Carolyn Malik, National Director

2020 National Convention Chairman

Sky and Glass/Shutterstock.com

Carolyn Malik

National Director, Bylaws Committee

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OFFICERS WORKSHOP

JULY 17-20, 2019

FRANCISCAN RENEWAL CENTER

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA

All State Officers and Territorial Court Officers are encouraged to attend training for officers July 17-20, 2019, at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Please arrive at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, Arizona. This is a change of venue from past officer training.

Registration information will be presented to the state officers by a national representative at state conventions and will be mailed to territorial regents.

Join with other state officers for great information on working together with others and making all Catholic Daughter courts bloom like those beautiful desert roses.

Susan Moné, Second Vice National Regent

National Ceremonials Chairman

Stand tall and proud as an officer in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. It is an honor and privilege to be elected by your fellow CDA members to serve as an officer in your court or state. We recently had installations of local court officers and coming soon State conventions will be hosted all over the country and beyond. We will be electing new State Officers.

So, now is the time to bring your officer’s robe out of the closet, check it to be sure that it is the proper length with your dress white shoes, and take it to the dry cleaners. Your robe needs to be clean and pressed whether you will be elected to another term and wearing it

again or passing it on to your successor.

Be sure the State ceremonial coordinator has the most resent copy of the Installation of State Officers in order to be prepared to ensure a stately and impressive installation service at your convention. The revised ceremonials are now available on the National website. I’ll look forward to the lovely Installation photos in the Share magazine!

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The Election of Officers for the

Catholic Daughters of the Americas

Mary, Mother of Love, the first Catholic Daughter, we ask you to grant us the grace of openness to the Holy Spirit, dynamic fidelity to the charism of Unity and Charity, and untiring devotion in the service of the Catholic Daughters. May this period of preparation for our State Election of Officers be for us a favorable time of humility, obedience and openness to God's will for our Court. Make each member available and open to what the Spirit wishes to accomplish in our Court. Grant that each member have the ability to respond ‘YES’ to God as He calls her to serve Him.

Mary, Mother of the Church and of the Catholic Daughters, Pray for us.

Reverend Edward Lamp, National Clergy Consultant

Let Us Pray For One Another… Condolences: Irene Duda, State Regent of Oregon on the death of her father Ralph Duda. Cards may be sent to: 6931 SW Montauk Circle Lake Oswego OR 97035-7841 Condolences: Deb Steger, State Treasurer of Iowa on the death of her husband John. Cards may be sent to: 509 2nd St. SE Dyersville, IA 52040-1622 Condolences: The passing of Lucille Kroboth at the age of 101. She was State Regent for two terms, 1994-1998. Send cards to her daughter, Stephanie Alder at 452 Bertonley Avenue in Charlotte, NC 28211

Condolences: Peg Witas, State Regent of Pennsylvania, on the death of her husband Rich. Send cards to: 702 Garden City Drive Monroeville, PA 15146 Condolences: Sheila Story, Past National Director, on the death of her husband Jim. Cards may be sent to: 2215 Arrington Street Durham, NC 27707 Get well prayers for: Past National Regent M. Joan McKenna. Send cards to: 8525 Ennis Drive Indianapolis, IN 46237

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Volume X, No. 3 March 2019

Catholic members of Congress follow party, not religion, on abortion votes

Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, says political party, not religion is the best predictor of the way a Catholic member of Congress will vote on abortion. He explained that the 163 Catholics in the new Congress are split on abortion: almost all Republicans are pro-life, and almost all Democrats are abortion-rights advocates. For incumbents, the organization checked voting records as scored by the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) and National Right to Life. Typically, those who received a 100 percent NARAL score garnered a 0 percent rating from National Right to Life (which would be most Democrats), and vice versa (which would be most Republicans).

For Freshmen, the organization checked their stated positions on abortion and the endorsements they received from pro-life and abortion-rights groups. There were a few notable exceptions: Rep. Daniel Lipinski, D-IL, NARAL score 51; National Right to Life score 75. Sen. Susan Collins, R-ME, NARAL score 45; National Right to Life score 42. Rep. Walter B. Jones, R-NC, NARAL score 51; National Right to Life score 85. To see the entire list and check on your House and Senate members, go to https://www.catholicleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Catholic-members-of-116th-Congress-FINAL-2.pdf

For many years, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas have supported the work of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE). In the last two-year fiscal cycle, Catholic Daughters donated more than $50,000 to foster the organization.

Formerly called Morality in Media (White Ribbon Campaign), NCOSE is partnering with organizations worldwide to host another Global

Summit on ways to stop pornography, prostitution, human trafficking and exploitation.

The content of the meeting is described as “heavy” for those unfamiliar with the details of the topic, but the information presented will help connect the many groups working on this issue. To register or find more information on the issue, go to www.endsexualexploitation.org/ cesesummit2019.

The Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation Global Summit meets in June

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Margaret Sitte, National Legislative Chair Approved: Olga Samaniego, National Regent

March for Life speeches proclaim the latest positive news in pro-life work

The March for Life and associated conferences are filled with updates on the latest news in the pro-life movement. Here are a few highlights: Planned Parenthood’s sale of baby body parts

David Daleiden uncovered Planned Parenthood’s business model of selling aborted baby body parts and manipulating abortion procedures in order to maximize the income from the sale of body parts. He has recently released a special report on his website CenterForMedicalProgress.org. Planned Parenthood has several legal cases against him that came to trial in February and should be decided soon. The cases document Planned Parenthood’s illegal activity in selling human body parts. To support his legal defense, donate at his website or at ThomasMoreSociety.org.

Success with adult stem cell treatments

Using embryonic stem cells to treat diseases has been condemned as unethical because it involves using aborted babies. In most cases the treatments have failed. Dr. David Prentice reported that two million people, however, have been treated with adult stem cells. Learn about the successes of adult stem cells treatments at StemCellResearchFacts.org.

Hope for families with a Down Syndrome child

In the United States 67% of women pregnant with a Down Syndrome baby abort the child. Rick Smith and his wife, parents of a Down Syndrome child, founded the Hope Advocate Process to connect expectant parents and OB/GYN doctors with parents of Down Syndrome children to give them hope. Learn more at HopeStory.org.

Lozier Institute provides key pro-life research

The Charlotte Lozier Institute research began in 2011 to provide deeper understanding of the value of human life and the policies and practices that will protect life and women’s health. The studies use the best science, medicine, sociology and psychology to counteract abortion, euthanasia, human exploitation and physical disease. Find their information at LozierInstitute.org.

Sidewalk Advocates for Life provide training

Former Planned Parenthood Director Abby Johnson has said that Planned Parenthood documented up to a 75% cancellation rate at facilities where people were praying and peacefully reaching out to women entering abortion facilities. Sidewalk Advocates for Life provides a simple, research-proven sidewalk advocacy program that teaches people how to effectively offer loving, life-affirming help to those pregnant mothers going for an abortion. Learn more at SidewalkAdvocates.org.

Unplanned movie released nationwide March 29

Unplanned is the inspiring true story of one woman’s journey of transformation. Abby Johnson went to work at Planned Parenthood because she wanted to help women. After being involved in 22,000 abortions, one day she saw something that changed everything, leading her to join her former enemies at 40 Days for Life and become one of the most ardent pro-life speakers in the United States. Go to Unplannedfilm.com to host a buy-out event.

Three deadliest words in the world: It’s a girl

The United Nations estimates as many as 200 million girls are missing in the world today because of sex-selection abortions targeting girls. In India, China and other parts of the world, girls are killed, aborted and abandoned simply because they are girls. This documentary, It’s a Girl, is a gripping call to conscience on the negative consequences of eliminating women. The film is available for screening. To find out more, go to itsagirlmovie.com.

Where There Is Darkness highlights mercy

Where There is Darkness, a true crime documentary, tells the story of Fr. Rene Robert, who devoted his life to those in need, but who was brutally murdered by someone he tried to help. After 28-year-old Stephen Murray confessed to the crime, prosecutors announced they would seek the death penalty, but then came a voice from beyond the grave…the voice of Fr. Rene. Learn more of the story and how to see it at WhereThereIsDarkness.com