Photo taken by Chris Hess

Court Our Lady of the Rosary #2624

MISSION STATEMENT:

Catholic Daughters of the Americas
strives to embrace the principle of faith
working through love in the promotion of justice,
equality, and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all.

WHY JOIN??

A Members GIVES:
Time, Talent, Ideas Spiritual Enhancement
Knowledge, Dedication Leadership Skills
Enthusiasm! 

A Members RECEIVES:
Affirmation, Community
Broadened Horizons
Sense of Accomplishment

For information or if you are interested in being part of the Catholic Daughters, please contact Gina Rossetti at 423-878-7827 or email her at roseyacres@btes.tv or contact Betty Fitton at 276-591-4461 or bettyfitton@antanet.com.

The Installation Mass for this newly formed Court was held at St. Anne Catholic Church in Bristol, Virginia on Sunday, July 19 at 4 p.m. with the Reverend Timothy E. Keeney, Pastor (and Chaplain of the Court) presiding. National, State and Regional officers from Texas, Iowa, North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia were in attendance. The Knights of Columbus provided a Fourth Degree Honor Guard for the liturgy.

Court #2624 will meet on the fourth Monday of the month at the Bristol Columbian Center (the KofC Hall located at 125 18th Street, Bristol, TN) at 6:30 p.m. (We will not have a meeting in December 2009 or in July 2010.


“We are each of us angels with only one wing
and we can fly by embracing one another.”
(Luciano de Crescenzo)

Questions you might have about the Catholic Daughters of the Americas
and Our Lady of the Rosary Bristol Court #2624

Who are the Catholic Daughters?
The Catholic Daughters was founded in 1903 by the Knights of Columbus and from its inception, has grown and developed into one of the largest organizations of Catholic women in the Americas. Under the patronage of the Blessed Mother, its members are united by their faith in Jesus Christ and their devotion to the Church and the Holy See. We strive to be spirit-filled women who love Christ, His Church, our country, and all humanity.


What is CDA’s purpose?
The purposes of CDA are to participate in the religious, charitable and educational Apostolates of the Church. CDA engages in creative and spiritual programs to positively influence the welfare of the Church on the local, national, and world levels.


What is the CDA motto?
The Catholic Daughters motto is “Unity and Charity”.


Is CDA still “connected” to the Knights of Columbus?
No, many years ago, the Catholic Daughters became a separate entity and are not directly connected to the KofC. However, our local court and the local council of the Knights will work together as needed for the good of our parish, our community, the Church, and our nation.


What types of projects is CDA involved in?
On a national and worldwide basis, the Catholic Daughters over the years have been active in many areas and has supported uncounted projects, apostolic works and missionary endeavors.

The national order contributed large sums to war relief, Catholic Relief Services, the National Catholic School of Social Service, the Apostleship of the Sea, support of seminarians and priests, catechetical centers, and Father Peyton’s Rosary Crusade.

They have made grants for disaster relief and to Covenant House, SOAR “Support Our Aging Religious”, and Mother Teresa. In addition, CDA donated funds for the construction of five chapels in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., each commemorating one of the glorious mysteries of the rosary. The CDA has collected funds for an endowed chair of American Catholic Church History at the Catholic University of America, they have supported the Pontifical North American College in Rome and were large donors for the relocation of the headquarters of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


What will CDA do for our local parish?
CDA Courts across the Americas are involved in projects such as Habitat for Humanity, fighting pornography, supporting the religious, fighting against abortion, helping with disaster relief. Being a newly formed Court - the Our Lady of the Rosary Court #2624 here in Bristol is in the process of looking at a number of wonderful projects that we can support. At the first regular meeting on July 27, 2009 many ideas were surfaced by the members. The first projects to be undertaken are: to help with the refurbishing and furnishing of the upstairs of the parish’s Barry Brady Learning Center (formerly PreSchool rooms) into a parish Youth Center for our Middle School and High School Teens; and also at the first three meetings we will be donating funds raised from our 50-50 drawing to Bristol Faith In Action to be used for medicine for those unable to afford to buy needed prescriptions. We will be expanding our service areas as our court develops!


Who are the Officers?
At the organizational meeting the officers were voted on and will serve for a one year term. They are: Regent: Gina Rossetti; Vice-Regent: Marylin Ritter; Recording Secretary: J. Weisenburger; Financial Secretary: Marie McConnell (Kosinski); and Treasurer: Betty Fitton. The name of the local Court was also voted on at the meeting - Our Lady of The Rosary.


Are there dues?
Yes, at the organizational meeting held in June here at St. Anne’s, those present voted that the annual dues would be $20/yr. This cost includes the members’ subscription to the CDA magazine “SHARE”.


Why is this a “Tennessee” Court and not established as a Virginia Court?
Since we are on the state line, parishioners of St. Anne’s live in Bristol, Virginia and surrounding area and also in Bristol, Tennessee and the surrounding area. At the current time there are other Virginia Courts, but there were not any Tennessee Courts. After talking with our pastor, Father Tim Keeney, it was decided to make this Bristol Court a Tennessee Court. As with our local Council of the Knights of Columbus (which is a Tennessee Council), being designated as Tennessee does not impact the dedication, devotion and good works that will be done for St. Anne’s parish and school.


Can only St. Anne’s parishioners join this Court?
No! The Bristol Court is open to all Catholic women in upper East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia (or anywhere else they live - even if you live in Ohio you could join this Court!).

Officers of the Court Our Lady of the Rosary #2624 :

From left to right: Treasurer: Betty Fitton, Vice Regent: Marylin Ritter, National Director: MaryAnn Grabasky, Regent: Gina Rossetti, Financial Secretary: Marie McConnell, Recording Secretary: Janice Weisenburger.

Photos from the installation mass of the Court Our Lady of the Rosary #2624: