CDA Court Santa Sophia is hosting a

Mystery Quilt Workshop and Trunk Show

To benefit Project Handclasp
featuring quilts by Clara Gibson

Saturday, August 6
Workshop: 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
Lunch and Trunk Show begins at 12:00 pm
Prendergast Hall

Join us for this all-day Mystery Quilt workshop led by Pam Kay! What is a Mystery Quilt you ask? It is a great stress-free activity that involves one person providing fabric requirements and step by step procedures and demonstrations on how to make units for a quilt that will eventually become the quilt top—Stress-free because all you have to do is choose your fabric and enjoy the process. For an additional charge, the Catholic Daughters will provide meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for this all-day event.

Clara Gibson, an extraordinary quilter, will provide a noon trunk show that is certain to inspire you!

Can’t attend the full-day? Don’t sew, but appreciate quilts and handmade items? Come for lunch and enjoy the trunk show for only $15!

FEES:

Workshop: $60 (tax-deductible) includes admission to trunk show.

Workshop Meals: $15 (includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

Lunch and Trunk Show Only: $15

• Suitable for students with basic quilting skills (ability to cut  accurately and sew accurate 1/4” seams)
• Finished quilt size is 80” x 96”
• Make your reservations early. Workshop is limited to 30 participants. A $20 deposit will hold your spot. Registration ends July 30
• For more information contact Pam Kay at (619)464-2009 or RSVP by clicking here

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas have long been supporters of Project Handclasp, the beneficiary for this event. Our goal is to purchase a treadle sewing machine for families in countries of great need. A treadle sewing machine allows families, especially women, to make clothes and household items for their own families and to sell to others as a source of income. It is a great source of independence. Why a treadle sewing machine? Many countries have limited resources—one being electrical power. A treadle sewing machine does not require any electricity to function as it is “powered by humans.”

Do you have any extra sewing notions, patterns and fabrics? We will accept your items to donate to Project Handclasp. In addition to the highly-desired treadle machines, needles, thread, fabrics, scissors, zippers, new/used patterns, etc. are greatly needed.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your in-kind donations and your $60 workshop fee are tax-deductible within the full-extent of the law.

May 28, 2011 — ONTARIO, CA

Court Santa Sophia was awarded 1st place in Leadership at the CDA California State Convention. The winning report described how our court keeps detailed archives of past events on our website. This allows new event chairs to have a “blueprint” for success so that they may be at ease when volunteering to take a leadership position.

Congratulations Court Santa Sophia!

With tables sparkling with china, the May Day theme was made complete with maypoles, treat-filled “Tussy-Mussys” and pinwheels. Ladies of all ages enjoyed a luncheon of tea sandwiches and salads, along with an impressive array of cookies, sweet breads, cupcakes and tarts.

Two special sisters, Chrissy and Sara Rhamy, Miss Teen and Miss Pre-teen Spring Valley for 2010, spoke about their pageant experiences of the last year and gave us a glimpse of it with a power-point presentation. The girls then turned the table on the audience and had the young girls come up and answer “pageant-type” questions! The sisters were delightful!

The tea concluded with a fun necklace craft for the daughters, while the moms participated in stringing together bracelets for the Garden of Innocence project.

Thank you to all who participated in and contributed their fine talents to create a soothing and serene afternoon tea. It is my pleasure to work with women of your generosity.

Guests were served a choice of fish or shrimp tacos (or a combination of both) along with salad, rice and beans and chocolate cake for dessert. Quesadillas, shrimp cocktail and Anthony’s clam chowder were also offered on the menu.

Catholic Daughters dressed up Prendergrast Hall with their purple and white linens with flowers on every table. Guests appreciated the use of “real” plates and silverware, commenting that it added quality to their meal.

Beautiful raffle baskets were assembled – one more “adult themed” with a margarita mix and the other more “family-oriented” with Mexican food items.

There were a few hiccups, but Catholic Daughters always know how to make the best of every situation. All in all, we grossed over $1200! Wow! Thank you to all the volunteers and to Maria Elena for another great fish dinner!

Sunday, May 1st
1:00PM
Santa Sophia Parish
9800 San Juan Street
Spring Valley, 91977

TICKETS:
$25 – couple
$15 – single
cash, check, and credit cards accepted!

Part of the proceeds will benefit Santa Sophia’s Vacation Bible School

Guest speakers include:
Miss Teen Spring Valley 2010, Chrissy Rhamy
Miss Pre-Teen Spring Valley 2010, Sara Rhamy

call 619-800-0CDA (0232)
or email info@catholicdaughters.com

Hosted by:
Catholic Daughters of the Americas
Court Santa Sophia #2520

On Friday, February 25, a group of dedicated judges put their heads together to select the 2011 CDA Education Contest winners. Judges included Fred and Liz Chavez, Shirley Yost and Charles and Anne Moeller. We thank them for their enthusiasm and sensitivity while judging entries. The theme that students wrote essays for or created original artwork for was “The Lord is my Light.” All participating students are enrolled at Santa Sophia Academy.

First and second place prizes were awarded in each division. First prize is $25.00 and second prize is $10.00.

Artwork was entered in Division 1, which included students in grade 5, and also in Division 2, which includes those in grades 6-7-8. Elise Garcia, grade 5 won first place in Division 1 and Megan McCarthy, grade 7 won first place. The photograph of the 1st place entries in Division 1 and 2 are pictured here.

Essays were submitted only in Division 2. The winning essay, as written by 7th grader Hannah Lawson, is printed below:

The Lord is My Light

“The Lord is My Light” means several things to me. It means that the Lord helps me to see right from wrong; similar to how a light bulb helps you see in the dark. It also means that He is there to guide me through hardships and relationships. Lastly, it means that He is a window that brings light to all of my situations, both good and bad. It is a comforting feeling to have the Lord as my light because, like a candle, He is warm and He will always be there, even when I fail to make the right choices.

My conscience helps me to see right from wrong. It is the light that guides my actions. Following the light will lead to a happy life and a good relationship with God. When I do not follow the light I must repent to God and build up my relationship once more. I strive to follow my light.

The Lord has been my light and has guided my family through many hardships. The Lord was my light when I was stressed about homework. God was my father’s light when he was going through graduate school. He was my mother’s light when she had the flu. He was my grandmother’s light when she broke her ankle. The Lord has never burned out on us as our light.

The Lord has brought light to many of my situations. When I found money, he told me to turn it in. I was angry, and He told me to let it go. I was sad, and He lifted my spirits. I am thankful that He is my window, my guide and my friend.

I believe that the Lord is in each and every one of us. He represents love and compassion. When we recognize that love or compassion in others and ourselves we find the true light inside of everyone. That is what “The Lord is My Light” truly means to me.

Winning Art Entries

The ceremony began with the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus processing to the grave site while carrying the tiny casket of baby Nick. Soloists sang spiritual songs and inspirational words were shared by a pastor from a Christian church. The attendees had a chance to hold the casket and say a prayer over baby Nick before he was laid to rest.

It was a touching and heart-felt ceremony. Tears of joy were shed for baby Nick, who will live (and play) in peace with the Lord in heaven.

Court Santa Sophia has committed to support the Garden of Innocence. We do so by raising funds, making bracelets and attending ceremonies. Members are notified by email of any upcoming services and are encouraged to participate.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Catholic Charities Baby Shower was a complete success! I think this was our best year ever, as a result of very generous donations and the attendance of a special guest, one of Catholic Charities’ mothers, as well as our State Representative for the San Diego Diocese, Melody Ciaravino.

I really want to extend a special thanks to our own court and particularly to Dina and Kyle Howard (Sam & Rosa Caeti’s daughter and son-in-law) who made a very large contribution of clothes ranging from ages newborn to 2 years. We are eternally grateful to the Howards and all of the other ladies at Court #2520 for graciously donating the best of the best to our mothers and families in need.

On January 29th, we had arrived at Catholic Charities at 9:00 a.m. and it seemed that the schedule was changed to 10:00 a.m. However, this gave us plenty of time to set up before the other Courts arrived. The extra time also gave us an opportunity to meet our special guest and mother. She is a young woman who is married and a mother to 5 children. She appeared to be very courteous, grateful and yet humble. We were delighted to be able to talk about child-rearing stories with our special guest and realized that we, as women, had much in common.

As other ladies started to arrive, more baby clothes, blankets, diapers & toys were set out and everyone met our special guest finding it equally enjoyable exchanging stories. The CDA organizer of the baby shower, Rose Parknaven, thanked everyone for their wonderful contributions and introduced our dignitaries and our guest mother, Halima. Halima spoke about her experience with the Catholic Church through Catholic Charities. Her first baby was born with Downs Syndrome and her family had abandoned her. She turned to the Catholic Church who opened their arms to her with multiple avenues of assistance. She had continually articulated her gratitude to the Catholic Church as if they were her second family in the absence of her birth family. I think about how I had tears in my eyes just listening to her witness. I really felt honored to get to know this very special lady. There are many anonymous heroes in this world and we were privileged to meet one of them that day.

After our special guest spoke, Lizzette and Wendy talked about their role with Catholic Charities. A very good question was asked about contributing throughout the year and Lizzette said that as the donations are greatly appreciated the supply only lasts up to 3 months, as the needs are great, especially during these financially difficult times. They would also like to focus on receiving items for babies that are newborn to 1 year as there are other avenues of charities who donate to older children’s needs.

All in all, it was a great experience. It is so critical to give to such a worthy cause where women are helping other women and children in need.

I’m a new member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, joining in September 2010. When I first started I had no idea what CDA was all about. At my first meeting I felt quite overwhelmed, but I met so many lovely and friendly ladies that made me feel very welcomed and at ease. I was also very impressed with what these ladies put together and do whether it be locally or nationally, working with different charitable organizations, and felt it was time I did my share.

I took the challenge of chairing the Afternoon Tea and Membership Drive held on January 16, 2011. With the help of many of the CDA members it was a huge success. There was an assortment of food, sweets and variety of teas as well as several door prizes donated by some of the members.

Fr. Devdas made a brief presentation emphasizing the importance of taking a leadership role in various causes supported by the CDA.

I thank each and everyone of you for being there, it’s been our pleasure to serve the afternoon tea. I couldn’t have done this job without the help of our volunteers, these ladies did a tremendous job.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Santa Sophia, invite all women to join us for

Afternoon Tea

Sunday, January 16, 2011
in the De Moor Room
at Santa Sophia Parish
9800 San Juan Street
Spring Valley, CA

Have you ever thought that your talents can be put to good use? Have you considered doing volunteer work for the church and community? If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, then CDA needs you — and YOU need CDA! Join us for complimentary tea, sandwiches and sweets and find out how CDA can enrich your life as well as the lives of others. This annual membership tea is a perfect time to discern if joining CDA is right for you!

RSVP: (619) 800-0CDA (0232)
or email cda2520 [at] gmail.com

Click the link below to view photos from last year’s event!

Membership Tea 2010