Under our Circle of Love Program, there is something for everyone, and not everyone has to work on every phase of the program.  The program consists of Leadership, Spiritual Enhancement, Quality of Life, Youth, Education and Legislation. If you are looking for a way to make a difference in our Church and community, becoming a Catholic Daughter may be the answer for you.

Each year, we try to make it as successful as possible.  Our little court of just over 100 may be tiny by some standards but our combined prayers and hard work brings mighty results.  Check out what we were able to accomplish in just one year! 

2023 in review

Education / Youth

In May, Court Rayne sponsored its annual Irene M. Petitjean Memorial Scholarship, awarding a total of $1300 in scholarships to one graduating student from Notre Dame, one  from Rayne High, and an eighth grade student enrolling in a Catholic high school.  The committee awards the scholarships based on academic, spiritual and service achievements. Our Salad Fun fundraiser helps fund these scholarships. 

family / community

In January, we conducted a Bread & Wine Drive for St. Joseph Church to help defray costs of sacramental supplies.

In March for the St. Joseph Altar, we donated funds for the purchase of supplies. Members donated desserts. 

In April and October, we had our Spring and Fall Salad Fun fundraisers. These events were so popular that tickets were sold out before the deadlines with demand exceeding seating capacity. These fundraisers not only help fund our annual scholarships and the charitable works of our court, but promote fellowship with our church members and community. 

In May, CDA hosted the Donuts at the Gazebo to promote fellowship.

In August, Court Rayne hosted the LA State CDA leadership conference in the Family Life Center.  The conference is for leaders -- past state regents, district deputies, state chairmen and local court officers -- focusing on individual duties and other important information that will help with the leadership roles.

In November, at St. Joseph's chili cook-off and family fun day, our members donated sweets to give out, and our CDA Chili Cook-off team placed third!

During the year, we provided financial support to St. Joseph Parish for Christmas and Easter flowers, to the Diocese of Lafayette for the Bishops Services Appeal, to the Seminarian Fund and to State and National CDA charities and projects.  

And as always, we were honored to host a number of receptions, from First Communion and Confirmation, to a farewell reception for Fr. Antony.  Our members also were privileged to serve at the celebration reception for Kaitlin Davis in June, who was consecrated a Virgin Living in the World.  

spiritual

At monthly meetings, we participate in a Spiritual Growth to help us grow in faith.

During the year, we attended Quarterly Communions, where every three months, we attend a Mass together as a group at our 4pm Saturday Mass.  Our perpetual rosary has a member reciting a rosary daily for an end to abortion, peace in families, and religious freedom.

The court has a Vocation Cross, which is taken into the home of a member for a two-week period to pray daily for vocations to the religious life.  The court also has a St. Peregrine Traveling Statue, which allows members to pray year round for those suffering from cancer. 

In February, members prayed the Living Rosary, reading an intention and lighting a candle for each Hail Mary.

In June, we sponsored a Day of Reflection. Our presenters were Leah Guidry, who gave a dynamic talk on sisters, and Laney Guidry, who gave a powerful talk on "The Little Cajun Saint" Charlene Richard.  In June, we also participated in the St. Joseph Eucharistic Procession for Feast of Corpus Christi.

In October for the month of the rosary, we celebrated with a Rosary Pilgrimage.  We traveled to four area churches to pray a rosary at each.  This moving event had over many participants from a number of parishes.

In November, a candlelight ceremony and memorial Mass was held for CDA, KC, and Lay Carmelite members who have returned to our Lord during 2023.   Family members were invited to participate and received memorial candles.  At our November meeting, we welcomed our guest speaker, Madelene Boudreaux, who spoke on her and her family’s journey of faith through health issues and tragedy.

In December, CDA members participated in the St. Joseph Eucharist Adoration for the Solemnity of Christ the King.

leadership

In April, our delegates attended the 50th Biennial LA CDA Convention in Baton Rouge. They enjoyed fellowship with our sisters of other local courts, participated in Masses and spiritual enhancements, and attended the business sessions and state elections.

In August, Court Rayne officers attended the LA State CDA leadership conference for leaders -- past state regents, district deputies, state chairmen and

local court officers -- focused on individual duties and other important information that will help with the leadership roles.  The conference was hosted by Court Rayne in the Family Life Center.

legislation

We make a difference at the State and National levels in legislation, but we are always open to ideas of how to change life for the better at a local level. We welcome your input and ideas!

just for fun

Of course, we take time out for fun times where we are able to just laugh and kick up our heals.  At every meeting, we have a social so we can visit and enjoy each other's company.

At our January meeting, we brought baby pictures of ourselves and had a contest of who could get the most right. In May, we had our annual ice cream Sunday social where there was more topping than ice cream on our Sundays! In June, as part of our 100-year anniversary celebration, at our covered dish social, along with our current 2023 scholarship recipients and families, we invited our past scholarship recipients of 2003 and  2013 to speak about how being awarded the scholarship helped them on their journey. In October, we dressed up in costumes to compete for prizes. 

and a legacy...

In December, we celebrated Court Rayne's 100th Anniversary with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Douglas, followed by a banquet in the Family Life Center. It is so humbling to follow in the footsteps of such strong and dedicated women who founded our Court and contributed in life-changing ways to our church and community throughout the years.  

We hope you join us! We need new ideas and inspiration so that our next 100 years may be inspiring and life-changing to all we encounter in our Church and Community.