By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer
The Catholic Daughters of America (CDA) Easton Court #358 will mark its 100th anniversary of engaging in the religious, charitable and educational apostolates of the Church – in the original church where it was founded – on Sunday, May 19.
Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert will be principal celebrant and homilist for the Anniversary Mass at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy (St. Bernard Oratory), Easton.
CDA, one of the largest and oldest national organizations of Catholic women in the Americas, founded in 1903, established Easton Court #358 representing the Lehigh Valley in 1919.
The national organization was founded in Utica, N.Y. by John Carberry and several other Knights of Columbus as a charitable, benevolent and patriotic sorority for Catholic ladies. It was originally called the “National Order of Daughters of Isabella,” and is dedicated to the principles of “Unity and Charity,” the order's motto.
Under the patronage of the Blessed Mother, CDA members share a deep feminine spirituality, and are united by their faith in Jesus Christ and their devotion to the Church and the Holy See.
Patricia Bleam, court regent, said 50 charter members established the Easton Court, which also includes members from Allentown, Bethlehem and Bangor areas, and at one time reached a membership of 180 women.
The history of the Easton chapter began with an announcement by Father John Edward McCann, pastor of St. Bernard, Easton, who invited all Catholic women interested in forming an organization in February 1919.
Fifteen women met and Mary Moran Duffin was selected chairman. An application was sent to the CDA state office, and on March 30, 1919 Easton Court was chartered with 50 members.
By 1964 there were eight active CDA courts in the Diocese. Today three CDA courts are in existence: Easton; Ryan Court, Jim Thorpe; and St. James Court, Frackville.
Along with participating and supporting church apostolates, CDA 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.
It also 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.
“We do a little bit of everything in support of the Church and to support our brothers and sisters,” said Bleam.
Over its century of existence, Bleam said, CDA has supported the bishop, priests, local seminarians and local charities, including Third Street Alliance, Easton and the St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry.
In addition, CDA administers scholarship programs and strives “to be helping hands where there is pain, poverty, sorrow or sickness.”
Bleam, who joined CDA when she was 18 in 1959, said she followed in her mother’s footsteps by becoming a member.
“Becoming a member tends to be handed down through the family. All of my aunts and sisters were members, too,” she said.
CDA has nearly 66,000 members in 1,150 courts in 45 states across the United States, and in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Kenya and Peru.
The anniversary Mass is open to the public at Our Lady of Mercy, 132 S. Fifth St., Easton. A sold-out reception will be held after Mass at Parkview Event Center, Easton. For more information about click here.
