Membership tea will mark anniversary

Friday, Feb. 12, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — It is with joy, excitement and nostalgia that the Catholic Woman’s League will celebrate the 100th birthday of the organization’s charitable activities at the Annual Membership Tea at St. Vincent de Paul Holy Family Hall April 3.

All women in Utah are invited; special invitations are extended to all past members, presidents, board members and Girls State participants. All of the past presidents will be honored during the 100th celebration.

Board members will dress in attire to reflect the different eras of the league, the women upon whose shoulders they stand; those who laid the foundation and those who carried the works forward as needs in the community have changed. 

“The CWL is not affiliated with any one parish, it is for the diocese and encompasses the entire state, said Linda Burt, president from 2011-2013.

The CWL was formed in 1916 under the direction of Bishop Joseph S. Glass to work for the interest of Christ. During the League’s 10th anniversary it became a lifetime member of the National Council of Catholic Women.

Over the years, the CWL has focused on different ministries. Early on they served the unemployed, prison inmates, homeless children and those in the juvenile court system. The women also created the auxiliary of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the St. Ann’s Sewing Circle, which supported St. Ann’s Orphanage with annual teas and showers. For many years the hospital committee met to sew articles for Holy Cross Hospital; women also visited the sick. 

In addition, when Bishop Duane G. Hunt was installed in 1937, the CWL was asked to entertain 150 visiting clergy and Church dignitaries.

In 1938, Mrs. P. J. O’Carroll wrote in her president’s report, “every chairman reported a splendid account of her stewardship showing that our League is moving forward and is still holding aloft our Catholic ideals and principles.”

In 1942, the CWL was active in the Red Cross. 

The league assisted Bishop Hunt in 1945 in the establishment of Catholic Charities, now known as Catholic Community Services; they formed a youth organization for high school-aged boys and girls in 1948. 

In later years, CWL dues, card and sewing groups paid the salaries of physical education and sewing teachers at Judge Memorial Catholic High School. 

Throughout the years, CWL members have donated time to civic agencies including the March of Dimes, UNICEF, the Blind Center, and served on the Women’s State Legislative Council, Veterans’ Administration Hospital and Salt Lake Council of Women.

Between 2011 and 2013 the CWL board established a mission statement: The CWL is a nonprofit woman’s organization that works for the interest of Christ, promotes spirituality based on the Catholic faith, advances literary and educational interests and assists in philanthropic efforts for the welfare of the community.

The CWL will have a lasting legacy through an endowment it recently established under the Diocese of Salt Lake City Catholic Foundation of Utah. 

The CWL board members continue to host the annual fall luncheon, spring tea and sponsor high school juniors at Girls State.

The young women return from Girls State talking of life-changing experiences, learning about the government process, becoming informed voters, public speakers, finding strength in being themselves, learning to support one another and gaining courage to become successful.

In remembering past teas and luncheons, CWL past president Jean Henkels said, “It was such a good way to get to know women from other parishes; that is why I joined.”

The social aspect also is important to longtime members Maxine Giovacchini and Jackie Kearns, who always looked forward to getting all their friends together to go to the teas and luncheons, they said.

 

WHAT: Catholic Woman’s League’s                     

                Membership Tea

WHEN: April 3, 2-4 p.m.

WHERE: St. Vincent de Paul Parish’s

                    Holy Family Hall

                    1375 E. Spring Lane, SLC

TICKETS: $10/person; must be

                      purchased by March 23

This event will celebrate the CWL’s 100th anniversary. For tickets and information, contact Patty Martinez, 801-571-6852. Mail checks to Patty Martinez: 934 E. Crosswind Way, Draper, UT 84020.