Catholic Daughters of the Americas
Court Prince Gallitzin #2625
Judy Wood, Court Regent
Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord

Purpose and Mission

The purpose of the organization is to participate in the religious, charitable, and educational Apostolates of the Church. Catholic Daughters of the Americas engages in creative and spiritual programs which provide its members with the opportunity to develop their God-given talents in meaningful ways that positively influence the welfare of the Church and all people throughout the world.

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.

Court Newsletters

Court Meetings

We welcome any Catholic lady, at least 18 years of age, interested in furthering their spiritual and social life in our community, to come and join us.

Membership business meetings are open to all members and non-members may attend up to three business meetings while they decide if they would like to join.

Use our Contact Form if you would like to know more about Catholic Daughters and our court!

Or, you can contact our regent by email.

Business Meeting Schedule

Second Monday of the month
6:30 p.m. social
7:00 p.m. business meeting
Saint Rose Social Hall
5519 Sixth Avenue, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16602
No meeting in January
No meeting in February

Come and see the works of God, awesome in deeds before the children of Adam.
Psalms 66:5 (NABRE)

Standing Court Calendar

See our list of upcoming events!

Monthly (third Sunday): Spiritual Intentions Mass a State Court fundraiser (benefiting seminarians at the Pontifical College in Rome) held in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
March: Even years elect Nominating Committee
April: Financial Review; even years Nominating Committee presents slate of officers; even years Regent has notice of election with slate of officers sent to all members (at least ten (10) days before election; odd years State Convention; and, Diocesan Meeting
May: Even years election of officers
June: Even years installation of officers and Priest Appreciation Day (first Sunday)
July: Even years National Convention
September: Even years State Workshop and Diocesan Meeting
October: Financial Review and CDA Sunday (third Sunday)

Charter Members

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
"Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?"
"Here I am," I said; "send me!"
Isaiah 6:8 (NABRE)

Altoona Parishes

Our Court Patron

Servant of God
Apostle of the Alleghenies
Prince Demetrius Gallitzin

Prince Gallitzin was born December 22, 1770 at The Hague and died in Loretto, Pennsylvania on May 6, 1840. His life is one of service to God and His people. It is written that Prince Gallitzin was the first priest to receive all of his orders in preparation for the priesthood in the United States.

Spiritual Enhancement Program

Pray in Order to Believe
Believe in Order to Pray

Spiritual Enhancement is a part of our national Circle of Love program. At the 2016 56^th National Convention our court was one of two courts to receive a Spiritual Enhancement award from over 1,250 courts nation-wide.

Monthly we prayed novenas together; 68 novenas so far. Often during our court business meetings members of the spiritual enhancement team offer mini presentations to the membership. To name a few, we've learned about the Scriptural Rosary, Our Lady of Sorrows, and Padre Pia. In 2015-2016 our focus was on the Year of Mercy. A focal point for 2018 and 2019 is prayer. Fr. Grimme, our court chaplain, along with Pattie, spiritual enhancement chair provided the court with another way of praying the "Our Father" or any prayer for that matter. In conversation format, Fr. Grimme portayed our Lord, God, the Father and while Pattie prayed to and with Him, saying the "Lord's Prayer." Prayer, in conversation format, between the person praying, to and with, our Lord, God, a Saint, or our patroness, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and so on ... brings home the trueness of one's inner self, of one's heart.

As a court we've gone to Saint Catherine of Siena's Birth of Mary celebration, celebrating the birth of Mary with a meal, visiting the various displays, saying the Rosary, and Mass with members of our local community and our mother court, Our Lady of the Alleghenies #1755.

Members of our court made and delivered Christmas gifts to residents at a local nursing home, where we also helped to decorate their tree, halls, and common areas. This year we hope to do a project with the residents of a local nursing home.

In the fall of 2018 we hosted a retreat for Catholic women from Altoona parishes at Saint Bernadines Monastery - Hollidaysburg. The day began with Mass at the Monastery and included a delicious lunch. The topic was, "Joy, Having a Joyful Spirit." Spring 2016, hosted by our court and presented by the Carmelite Community of the Word, we joined together for our first retreat, beginning with Mass at 8:00 AM at Saint Therese the Child Jesus and from there we traveled to the Carmelite Community of the Word Campus. Throughout the morning and afternoon our focus was on the Year of Mercy with time for prayer and contemplation and personal expression. The sisters provided a delicious breakfast and lunch.

Where Does Prayer Come From?

In naming the source of prayer, Scripture speaks sometimes of the soul or the spirit, but most often of the heart (more than a thousand times). According to Scripture, it is the heart that prays. If your heart is far from God, the words of prayer are in vain (CCC, no. 2562.)

Service Projects

Our service projects encompass many of our national Circle of Love programs, such as Education, Family, Quality of Life, Spiritual Enhancement, and Youth.

Since 2009, giving living witness to the Bible verse, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40 (NABRE), we participated in a multitude of service projects, to name just a few, ...

Our first project was Haiti birthing kits, which have now been replaced with Haiti maternity kits. The Carmelite Community of the Word ships containers regularly to Haiti and these kits serve two purposes: they benefit the women and children in Haiti with their contents and they help to pad and fill the gaps between the other items in the containers.

Our court has held drives for Catholic Charities for personal care items, home cleaning supplies, socks and under garments, baby essentials, and monetary donations. Our most recent was an adult coat drive.

Donated by Altoona parishioners, Court #2625 collected 73 adult coats, along with gloves and scarves and two dozen sweaters for the men and women Catholic Charities of the Altoona-Johnstown serve. The ladies picked them up at various churches, homes, or businesses, and sorted through them. The coats were all in excellent condition; we only needed to make a few button repairs! A few were brand new or came directly from the dry-cleaner. Seventy-three people will be warmer this winter because of Altoona's parish community support and generosity! Our court thanks all the Altoona parishes (and their parishioners) for helping with this adult coat drive!

Catholic Charities and those they serve are most appreciative! Thank you to all who donated!

First Coat Delivery Standing above left to right: Pattie, project chair, Mary K., Regina, Donna

Second Coat Delivery Standing above left to right: Pattie, project chair, Annette, Regina, Judy, Donna, Mary K., and Karen C.

Luncheon between the Membership Drive Meeting and the Catholic Charities Coat Drive Prep

We gathered together, in Unity and Charity, to prepare for our upcoming Membership Drive at many of the local Altoona area Churches. We shared fellowship and fun, visiting with one another during a luncheon and then completed the day by sorting through the second batch of adult winter coats, sweaters, gloves, and scarves. Together we took them to Catholic Charities, where they will be distributed to those in need.

Left to right: Annette, Mary K. membership chair, Donna, Pattie, Judy, Karen C., and Regina

In the past few years, we have signed over 1200 Christmas cards for US soldiers at home and overseas. This year we sent Christmas cards addressed to family and friends of court members and an additional 145 were delivered to the Veterans' Home in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania

The past few years we've hosted a Christmas party with Kids' First, a local child care center, complete with Christmas trees, decorations, snacks, and beverages, providing Christmas presents of warm winter coats, hats, gloves, and clothing; blankets; and, toys for several children. Additionally, the parents are treated to gifts and all the fixings for a Christmas dinner for everyone in their family!

We've participated in the Simpson-Temple United Parish Love Feast, feeding those in need a full, sit-down meal, served from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. December 27, 2014 we served 77 people a meal of tossed salad, roll, butter, lasagna, sweet Italian sausage, meatball, and holiday baked goods for dessert. June 13, 2015 we served 100 people a meal of tossed salad, roll, butter, cornflake crumb chicken tenderloins, potato salad, corn, and a choice of cherry, apple, or blueberry pie. November 12, 2016 we served 135 people a meal of tossed salad, roll, butter, stuffed shells, sweet Italian sausage, meatball, and a choice of cherry, apple, or blueberry pie.

In 2017 we held our first baby shower benefitting children and their families from both Catholic Charites and Kids First. Parishioners from our ten local Churches donated baby items from April 23, 2017 through May 14, 2017. Court members gift wrapped the items and presented them to Catholic Charities and Kids First during the June 12^th membership meeting. At our July 9, 2018 meeting, our second baby shower, we again presented donations received from Altoona area parishioners to Catholic Charities and Kids First.

2018 Baby Shower standing left to right front row: Amber Brick, LCSW, Clinical Director of Intensive Family Services, Kids First Early Learning Center; Jennifer, project chair; Jean Johnstone, Executive Director, Catholic Charities

Standing left to right back row: Darlene, Regina, Karen C. Annette, Mary K., Donna, Mary S., Judy, Karen W., Pattie, Fr. Grimme, Mary Grace

Our court has sponsored a book-bag projects for children less fortunate, providing the book-bag and all of the supplies they should need to give them a good start at school! This year we provided for 18 children!

Locally we've given cash donations to the Humane Society, Birth Right, Saint Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen, and Catholic Charities.

Prayer to Mary to Help Those in Need

Holy Mary,
help those in need,
give strength to the weak,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for God's people,
assist the clergy,
intercede for religious.

May all who seek your help experience your unfailing protection.
Amen.
All About Mary

University of Dayton

Education Program

Each year our court has been in existence our Education Circle of Love program has sponsored the national education contest. Our National Court defines the time-line, theme, and winning criteria. Our judges select the first three winners in each category and division from the submissions received. First place winners are entered into the state contest. The first place winners of the state contest move on to national. Winners at all three levels (local, state, and national) are awarded a monetary gift. We've had a few place first at state and go on to national.

After the contest our court hosts an awards ceremony for the winners, their families, and the various clergy and support staff of our participating parochial schools and parish religious education programs.

Three winners are named. The first and second place winning participant receives a certificate and cash award and everyone receives a treat bag filled with give-aways donated by local area businesses. After the awards ceremony, the court provides beverages and snacks, most of which are donated from area businesses and court members. Our judges, most professionals in their field, are given a small stipend for their efforts.

The goal isn't really achieving an award, as much as it is understanding and expressing the contest's theme. We are proud of all the thousands of entrants over the past several years.

Youth Program

Our Youth Circle of Love Program, another national program, has offered many various programs including tours of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and Stations of the Cross at Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and we've participated with local parish programming, such as youth retreats and outings.

Prayer for Vocations

USCCB

Loving God, your Son, Jesus, has shown us that an open heart finds the way. Help me to find my way in this world. Keep my heart open to following Jesus' way of serving others in love.

Give me the courage to accept the guidance you offer me through my family, my friends, and my parish community.

Through the Holy Spirit, you call me to a particular way of life. If it is the way of a priest, sister, brother or deacon, then help me to walk it in joyful service to your people.

With you, my God, I know I can find my way. Amen.

Fundraisers

Thank you to all who generously participate in our Courts fundraisers! The court truly appreciates your help! As you know, the only way we can do what we do as a court, is by the generous participation of our members, family, and friends in our many fundraising programs. Without the proceeds from these fundraisers, the court would not be able to provide all that it does for our local community and beyond. If you aren't already … please, participate … so Court Prince Gallitzin #2625 can continue to do the good works it does in the name of our Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Cash Card Rebate Program
It's easy ... It's profitable ... It's doable!

Updated August 7, 2018 Participation Agreement Form

Updated November 11, 2018: Order Form

We only accept checks or money orders made payable to: CDA #2625 Cash Cards, from patrons who have a completed Participation Agreement on file. Cash is not accepted.
If this is your first time purchasing, please remember to include your completed Participation Agreement (form below). This Program can benefit Court Prince Gallitzin #2625, her budget or any of the seven Circle of Love programs; Catholic Charities of Altoona-Johnstown Diocese; and, any Altoona Parish!
Visit Great Lakes Scrip Center for current participating retailers, current values, rebates, bonus rebates, and guidelines.
Contact us if you're interested in making a purchase and we'll let you know our current ordering schedule.

Help us help our neighbor by making purchses through Amazon Smile and selecting our court as your charity! Visit smile.amazon.com/ch/35-2368454.

We have (had) multiple fundraisers throughout our charter, such as monthly 50/50 drawings; selling Streak-Free Cloths®; raffles; dining at local restaurants who give a portion of the receipt back to our court, such as Applebee's, Hoss's, and TGI Friday's; Hoss's Dinner Kits; Schwan's Cares; and, Boscov's Friends Helping Friends Shopping Passes.