Oneida court joins international celebration

Members of Court Our Lady 1250 Catholic Daughters were among the 1,250 other courts in 45 states across the country as well as in the Dominican Republic, Guam and the Virgin Islands that celebrated Catholic Daughters of the Americas on Sunday, Oct. 21 at Mass in St. Patrick’s Church in Oneida.

The Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Richard Kapral, court chaplain, and music was provided by the church choir under the direction of David Valesky.

Nancy Walter and Vi Fewer served as greeters for the event. Mary Jo Nixdorf served as lector at the Mass. Offertory gifts were presented by Melissa King, Kitty McMahon, Vi Fewer, Sue Uryiak, Louise Mosack, and serving as Eucharistic ministers were Mary Reiter, Norene Morris, Marianne Dunn and Gloria Miller.

Founded in 1903 under the motto of “unity and charity,” the members share a deeply spiritual commitment to the challenges facing the church today, especially the wellbeing of women and children, said Grand Regent Cindy Thurston.

Court Our Lady was organized in the greater Oneida area in the 1930s and over the years, members have continued the tradition of working to help local parishes and communities through the “Circle of Love” programs that encompass several projects designed to enhance the quality life for those in need, she added. of Currently, Love” clude the Care on activities the Rosary Extended Tuesdays; Facility “Circle in- at benevolences including remembrances a year. need; for those volunteer- in ing in the Oneida’s Caring Kitchen; recycling religious articles for the missions; participation in the Morality in Media’s WRAP programs as part of the Legislative Committee to update members on issues of concern to Catholic women; leadership guides and spiritual for women enhancement of faith; support and enrichment sharings. The court also gives a scholarship to a child from Holy Cross as well as St. Patrick’s schools once The local, state and national CDA also hold an education contest with a variety of categories to enter essays, photos, computer art and several other genres. “Catholic Daughters pray and support each other in good times and bad,” said Thurston. “We enjoy each other’s com- pany whenever we get together for spiritual enhancement, prayer, work or feasts. We have lots of fun.”

Court Our Lady meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the St. Joseph’s parish center at 121 St. Joseph Place in Oneida. The next meeting will be on Nov. 13.

Membership in the court is open to all Catholic women who are 18 years and older. For membership information, contact Cindy or any member of the court.

Following the Mass, a reception for parishioners was held with arrangements made by Melissa King, Kathy Kadien, and Sue Uryniak assisted by Lisa Spooner.