CWL luncheon will benefit local charities

Friday, Oct. 03, 2025

SALT LAKE CITY — This year, the Catholic Woman’s League will hold its annual fall luncheon and fashion show on Oct. 18 at the Salt Lake City Sheraton. Proceeds from the event’s opportunity drawings will benefit the women’s group at St. Andrew Parish and Children’s Center Utah.

Founded in 1916, the CWL is the oldest women’s organization in the diocese. Its members work “for the interests of Christ, promote spirituality based on Catholic principles, advance literary and educational interests, and assist in philanthropic efforts for the community’s welfare,” according to its mission statement.

Attendees at the luncheon will be able to bid on customized baskets, original art by CWL members and other packages. All proceeds from the bidding will be donated directly to the beneficiaries. Representatives from the St. Andrew Women’s Society and Children’s Center Utah will speak about their organizations during the luncheon.

St. Andrew Parish in Riverton recently purchased property in South Jordan and has started a capital campaign for a new church building; services are being held in the school’s gym, as they been almost since the parish was begun. Women’s Society members hope to use the CWL funds as seed money to organize a large fundraising event for the new building, said CWL luncheon chair and president-elect Lisa Romero.

“In essence, we’re just highlighting that we’re supporting their parish building fund,” she said.

The Children’s Center Utah, which has a facility in West Valley City, provides comprehensive mental health care to enhance the emotional well-being of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families. Construction is underway on its first expansion site in Lehi, which is expected to open in July 2026 on the Primary Children’s Hospital campus.

“The Children’s Center Utah is just an incredible place and they’re highly respected in the [Salt Lake] Valley,” Romero said. “I’m a former educator and their work with families has been really impactful. They hope to use this for clinical services they offer at their center.”

The event will also feature a fashion show sponsored by Chico’s of Foothill Boulevard, with CWL members and their families modeling. A new addition this year is a photo spot for models and guests.

Romero, who first started attending the event with her own mother, noted that the luncheon is often a family affair. 

“It’s one of these things that a lot of mothers and daughters do, or girlfriends; it’s just one of their girlfriends things,” she said, emphasizing that all local women are welcome and attendance is not limited to CWL members.

After a drop-off in attendance during the pandemic, this year’s luncheon aims to help rebuild the number of attendees, which have already begun to come back.

The luncheon committee is still gathering donations for the opportunity drawings. Romero invites anyone who can help with store or restaurant gift cards, experiences, or tickets to reach out to her at 801-706-3733.

WHAT: Catholic Woman’s League Fall Luncheon and fashion show

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 18, Social hour at 11 a.m., lunch at noon, fashion show and drawings at 1 p.m. RSVP by Oct. 6.

WHERE: The Sheraton Hotel, 150 West 500 South, SLC

COST: $60; send check to Jenny Maffuccio, 13297 N. Deer Canyon Dr., Kamas, UT 84036.