Joan Scott writes:
The Ladies of Charity of St. Cecilia’s Parish in Baltimore, Archdiocese of Washington, were honored in August by a visit from Fr. Gregory Gay, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission and of the Daughters of Charity, and a native of Baltimore. During Fr. Gay’s official visit to the parish in the Spring, the parishioners invited him to return and he did so during his vacation with family in the area. During this visit, he presided at Mass and exchanged blessings with the Ladies.
This event was the culmination of a busy year. The association’s biggest fundraiser is a pre-Christmas card party and luncheon. Proceeds were used in a variety of ways: purchase of sleeping bags for the homeless; a donation to a scholarship fund for students attending Catholic schools; and purchase of pew cards for the church. The Ladies’ collection of supplies for the parish food pantry was recognized as the largest donation ever received. The group also collaborates with Newborns in Need, a national non-profit, to operate a chapter in Baltimore providing essentials for babies.
In addition to other spiritual activities, the members organized a special service at church to pray for the kidnapped school girls in Nigeria. Each person drew a name of one of the children, lit a candle and agreed to pray daily for her.
The association commissioned three new members in October and are looking forward to establishing a Junior Ladies of Charity group in 2015.