Catholic Daughters of Americas (CDA) celebrate century of service

Woodbridge – From throughout the diocese, members of the Catholic Daughters of Americas (CDA), Court Mercedes #769, gathered at St. James Parish, Oct. 9, to celebrate their 100th anniversary. CDA members of Sister Courts and state leaders joined in the celebration.

Ninety women established Court Mercedes #769, Oct. 8, 1922. Today the court has 70 members in the Diocese of Metuchen’s four counties, Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren.

One of the oldest and largest organizations of Catholic women in the Americas, the CDA was formed in 1903 and now has 63,000 dues paying members in 1,150 local chapters called Courts in 45 states and in Guam, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In New Jersey, the CDA has 36 courts.

Court Mercedes #769 marked its milestone with a Mass of Thanksgiving, honoring its living and deceased member. Father Thomas Naduviledathu, SDV, Court #796 chaplain and pastor of St. James, presided at the Mass. Msgr. Charles W. Cicerale, who served as the Court’s chaplain for the 18 years he was pastor of St. James, concelebrated the Mass. Deacon Roel Mercado delivered the homily.

Following the Mass a luncheon was held at Lou Cas, Edison. Bishop James F. Checchio, took time from his busy schedule to stop by the gathering. Audrey Spenard presented Court Mercedes with a plaque  from the National CDA commemorating its 100th Anniversary. Spenard has belonged to the CDA for 39 years. She is a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Dunellen and its CDA Court Regina Coeli #940.

At the luncheon, the CDA New Jersey State Board presented Court Mercedes #769 with a Perpetual Mass card from the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. Thirty-seven members received pins for their years of service with the CDA, including Lucille McCann who was recognized for her 65 years as a CDA member.

CDA Courts help those in need in their local communities, their state, the nation and beyond like the Knights of Columbus. Both organizations use Unity and Charity as their mottos. The local charities that Court Mercedes supports are St. James Parish Food Pantry, St. Joseph’s Parish Life Care Center in Carteret and the Veteran’s Hospital and Home in Menlo Park.

There are times when Court Mercedes and Our Lady of Peace Parish, of Fords Columbiettes will join in a local project such as with the Child Life Resource Center to do a baby shower.

Court Mercedes # 769’s current Court Officers include: Andrea Smykia, Grand Regent, Debra Kozub, Vice Regent, Julie Haklar, Secretary, Mickey Brady, Financial Secretary, and Kathleen Dalton, Treasurer.

Members of the CDA pray together, donate to charities, administer scholarships programs, and strive “to be helping hands where there is pain, poverty, sorrow or sickness.” They embrace the principle of faith working though love in the promotion of justice, equality and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all.

Loretta Zimmer joined the CDA when her aunt needed her to drive her to the Court meetings and some of her cousins were already members. She has been a member of Court Mercedes for 43 years and is a lifetime parishioner of St. James Parish. A past Grand Regent of Court Mercedes, currently, Zimmer is the CDA Second State Regent and District Deputy of Court Fulgens Corona #1684. She says that being a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas has been for her a very worthwhile experience. To encourage other women to join the CDA Zimmer would like to distribute CDA flyers to women in the diocese’s parishes.

Andrea Smykie, the Court’s Grand Regent is a member of St. James Parish for the past eight years and a member of the parish’s Rosary Altar Society. She has been a member of the CDA and Court Mercedes for five years. “I am proud to be part of CDA,” Smykie asserted. “I believe that if we want to be true disciples of Christ, we must follow in his footstep. Above all it is our charitable work and being in unity as sisters in doing this charitable work that brings me closer to Christ.”

The Blessed Mother is the patroness of CDA members who are united by their faith in Jesus Christ, in their devotion to the church and the Holy See.