These are facts about our organization. While very important, you may find reading about what we do all year may help you better understand us on a more personal level. You can find these details in our Circle of Love Program on the Why Join? tab.

OUR PURPOSE

We carry out Christ's mission on earth in an environment of prayer and sisterly support. We unite in charity to benefit our parish, our community, our state and our nation. National affiliation enables benefits such as communications, insurance programs, and a national voice for orthodox Catholic womanhood.

By attending the local meetings, we keep up with our Court's progress while we enjoy socializing, companionship and friendship. By participating in the many opportunities to serve, which not only allows us to get closer to God, we can enjoy camaraderie and fellowship.

WHO MAY JOIN

To become a member, you must be a Catholic woman, be at least 18 years or older, and have a desire to join. Girls 6-18 are eligible to join the Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas, which includes a three-fold program of message, service and community. Unfortunately, Rayne does not have a JCDA, but we are always looking for a leader that would be willing to help create and maintain this wonderful organization for our youth.

WHO WE ARE

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas is the largest national organization of Catholic women in the world. Formed in 1903 by the Knights of Columbus as the National Order of the Daughters of lsabella, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas adopted its present name in 1928 to better reflect the geographical scope of its 148,000 members in the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. Although CDA often works with the Knights of Columbus on projects of mutual Interest, CDA has governed itself since 1928 and is an independent religious, charitable and educational organization.

OUR MISSION

The Catholic Daughters, by charter, have three purposes: to preserve church teaching, to do charitable works, and to “advance the spiritual and intellectual development of Catholic womanhood.” To achieve these purposes, CDA combats the evils of abortion and euthanasia, performs corporal and spiritual works of mercy, fights legislation in direct contradiction to Catholic belief, supports priests, religious and seminarians, and promotes programs for youth.

HOW WE ARE ORGANIZED

With National headquarters in New York, Catholic Daughters is organized into state and local courts. Louisiana currently has 101 courts.

WHAT WE DO AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

Court Rayne supports and serves St. Joseph Church and our community. Read about what we do all year in our Circle of Love Program on the Why Join? tab.

Here are a few of the things we do:

• Organize fundraisers to provide Youth Scholarships and Retreat Sponsorship

• Donate to St. Joseph Church, her activities and other local charities

• Support Local Seminarians

• Sponsor an annual Rosary Pilgrimage

• Organize a Memorial Mass for deceased members of our church organizations

• Recognize our Clergy on National Priest Appreciation Day and Christmas

• Pray the Rosary before Mass weekly at The Ellington and assist with distribution of communion to the residents

• Provide socials for residents at The Ellington throughout the year

• Recite Rosary at wakes of members and their families (as requested)

• Recite a perpetual Rosary to end abortion, for peace in our families, and for religious freedom in our country

• Sponsor an annual Day of Reflection in Lent

• Contribute to Pieta Lamp each month in memory of deceased members of Court Rayne

• Host many receptions for church functions

WHAT WE DO AT STATE LEVEL

Louisiana Catholic Daughters supports the three Special State Projects listed below. Through combined giving, each court and member gets an opportunity to support these worthwhile programs:

• Scholarship Fund

• CDA Kids

• Disaster Relief Fund

Special Project: The Seven Pillars of "Unity & Charity" for the Diocese of Lafayette: DesOrmeaux Foundation (Lafayette LA)

Court Rayne is able to attends a biennial convention sponsored by the Louisiana State Catholic Daughters to connect with other courts around the state, where we come together to pray, network and celebrate the past two years.

WHAT WE DO AT NATIONAL LEVEL

Catholic Daughters of the Americas supports the five Special National Charitable Projects listed below. Through combined giving, each court and member gets an opportunity to support these worthwhile programs:

• Habitat for Humanity

• Holy Cross Family Ministries

• The Laboure Society

• SOAR! (Support for our Aging Religious)

• National Center on Sexual Exploitation

In addition to 5 major National Projects, there are ten National Charities endorsed and supported by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Local courts are able to choose from the following charities:

• The North American College

• Catholic Relief Services

• Apostleship of the Sea

• Covenant House

• Tutwiler Clinic

• The Disaster Relief Fund

• Human Life International

• Catholic Extension

• Missionaries of Charity

• Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Court Rayne is able to attend a biennial convention sponsored by the National Catholic Daughters.

COME AND SEE!

Interested but unsure? Request to be added to our monthly newsletter email list to read about what we are doing. Visit us at one of our monthly meetings or participate in one of our events. There is no obligation to join.