Fill us Lord, with the warm and serene beams of Your Light, to guide our steps in Your way. Grant us the strength and vitality of Your own life within us, that we may accomplish well the mission You have given us as Catholic Daughters of the Americas. We ask for the depth and energy of Your love to help us seek a set of strong values, to touch each person You send into our lives who needs Your caring presence.
Keep us faithful to the motto of our Order, "Unity and Charity", and faithful to the Light, Life and Love given us through Your Church, that we may serve You and the members of Your Mystical Body, generously. May Your light shine from us. Your life flow through us and Your love animate us, in all of our endeavors.
CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAS
MISSION STATEMENT
Catholic Daughters of the Americas strives to embrace the principles of faith working through love in the promotion of justice, equality and the advancement fo human rights and human dignity for all mankind.
By definition, a circle is a curved line with every point equal from the point of the center and bound together by a common interest. The seven point program of the CIRCLE OF LOVE is bound together by the common interest - LOVE.
The small heart in the center is taken from the logo of the HEART SPEAKS TO HEART program. By utilizing this portion of the logo and part of the Heart Speaks To Heart program that is compatible with the CIRCLE OF LOVE, a smooth transition occurs.
The Cross and Crown in the center of the heart is the national symbol of the Order Catholic Daughters of the Americas.
The Seven points selected indicate the needs of the Church and community best served by the Catholic Daughters, The program itemizes these needs with suggestions on how Catholic Daughters can effectively serve.
Project Handclasp's primary mission is to collect and distribute humanitarian, educational and goodwill materials.
Project Handclasp is a true reaching out of individuals, to individuals. In any people-to-people program, it is important to get as many individuals as possible involved. The Courts of Arizona makes Project Handclasp one of its primary projects.
In addition to "Sewing Machine Workshop" and "Friendship Bags", that we have been involved with in the past, some Courts will be supporting "Toys and Dolls For Children" and -Medical Supplies" (vitamins & rolled bandages). Some Courts are participating in the project "D.O.L.L.S" (Dozens Of Love Lines) The amount of good that we can do in "PROJECT HANDCLASP" is limited only by our imagination. In Countries that were formerly in the Communist block, there is a desperate need for help. We will continue to be "Helping Others To Help Themselves".
CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAS is the largest national organization of Catholic women in the world. It is the opportunity for Catholic women to belong to a fraternal organization and to help them improve themselves spiritually, intellectually and socially. It is organized in 44 states, Puerto Rico, Canal Zone, Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic and Mexico.
A National Organization can afford an individual Catholic Woman an opportunity to follow Christ's command to make "Disciples of all nations" by taking her interests beyond the parish and diocesan levels. As a member of a "Court" she can do collectively what cannot be done individually. There is... strength in unity!!!!
His Holiness POPE JOHN PAUL II spoke these words during a general audience on December 6, 1989 when Catholic Daughters were in Rome for their first pilgrimage. "I am pleased to greet the representatives of Catholic Daughters of the Americas and to thank you for the work you do for the support of seminarians and for the promotion of vocations to the priesthood. May this visit strengthen you in your resolve to live with deep faith and ardent hope the ideals of your praise-worthy organization."
JOHN CARDINAL 0'CONNOR, Archbishop of New York, speaking to the delegates to the National Convention in his homily during the opening Mass: "You have come into existence to preserve, to protect the word of God, the teaching of the church, to carry out works of Charity and to advance the spiritual and intellectual development of Catholic womanhood.... I am proud and privileged to be your National Chaplain... .you do not try to be anything but what God created you to be, knowing that it takes all of your energy, all of your development, to become everything God created you to be and wants you to be. Thank God for what you are and what you do." (Excerpted in 19??)
PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH offered words of commendation to the National Officers during their visit to the White House, for their efforts in promoting strong values with concentration of the restoration of family life.
MOST REV. THOMAS J. O'BRIEN, Retired Bishop Of Phoenix wrote, I would like to encourage the support for the Catholic Daughters of Americas in the Diocese of Phoenix. This is an organization of Catholic women started by the Knights of Columbus over 80 years ago. They donate their time and finances to support Catholic action on a local level. The work of Catholic Daughters of America is very impressive and I feel they are a tremendous asset in our Diocese, (exerpted)
FR. WILLIAM WALDRON Arizona State Chaplain, from 1968 - 2005, wrote: The local Court of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas brings together active and supportive women, who share their time tested Catholic faith and their traditional Christian moral values. These women mutually strengthen their spiritual convictions and principles. The local Court also affords opportunities to its members to collaborate with fellow Catholic Daughters regionally and nationally in charitable, educational and patriotic projects. The periodic regional, state, and national meetings help members to become acquainted, and to share their experiences in the work of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.
FR. GREGORY KOTNIS, Chaplain of Our Lady of the Lake message: You have pledged yourself to do charitable works. You pledge not only to give spiritual and moral uplift--because the poor are not only those with little of this world's goods, they are also those with little knowledge or few talents. The most precious gift is giving yourself, like Jesus who gave himself entirely for us.
Membership in the Catholic Daughters raises an awareness about various issues, especially the needy, that you may never have been exposed to. New members are needed to have more voices, more talents and more hands to combat the evils of abortion and euthanasia, .feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the abused child, the battered woman, the homeless, fight legislation that is in direct contradiction with Catholic belief, support priests and seminarians, give aid to disaster stricken areas, care for the aged and handicapped, the users of drugs and alcohol, help the victims of AIDS, support youth programs and the pro life programs.
"Woman's soul is fashioned to be a shelter in which other souls may unfold. Both spiritual
companionship and spiritual motherliness are not limited to the physical spouse and mother relationships, but they extend to all people with whom it comes in contact."
