St Bernards Church- Catholic
page 15
CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA
CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA
Lyon Mountain - Court 1548
Officers 1975 - left-right
First row-with colored robes:
Frances Bingel, Treasurer;Margaret Varin, Monitor;Eileen Kaska, Regent;
Lorraine Farrell, Lector;Leona Bingel, Financial Secretary
Back row-with white robes:
Myrtle Siskavich, Trustee; Mrs. Joseph Bourey, Organist; Anna Chase,
Trustee; JoAnn Kaska, Trustee
Officers 1975 - left-right:
Irene Baker, 2nd Vice Regent; Joan Fetzko, 1st Vice Regent; Shirley
Bingel, Recording Secretary
In October 1950, a court of the Catholic Daughters
of America was organized here. Its initial membership was 98 women from
St. Bernard's Parish here, St. Michael's Parish in Standish and surrounding
areas. The present membership of 109 includes several women from Saranac,
Redford and Plattsburgh.
Mrs. Cora Ducharme was instrumental in gaining
most of the membership and was elected first grand regent. A number of names
were suggested for the court and the name, Court Our Lady of the Snows, submitted
by Mrs. Mary Mykalosky, seemed most appropriate and was adopted.
During 1975, the court will mark its 25th anniversary
which coincides with the 100th anniversary of the founding of St. Bernard's
Parish. Plans for special events are being formulated. Meetings are
held the second Tuesday of the month, except in July and August. They
are held in the former fifth grade room in the local school.
The organization contributes regularly to Trinity
Missions, the Franciscan Sisters of Atonement, the Heart Fund, Cancer Drive,
Veterans at Sunmount, the Maryknoll Sisters, Carmelite Monastery, local Firemen's
Auxiliary Children's Christmas Party and other charities. Annually a
$1.00 per member is contributed to the seminary and scholarship fund administered
by the bishops of various dioceses to aid inspiring students.
Members assist with release time religious classes
as teachers, workers, monitors and helpers. Some also roll bandages, make
cancer dressings and hospital gowns for medical missions to assist in their
work. Antoinette Ducharme has been Chairman of this mission work in the court
since March 1960. Evenings of recollection or mini-retreats are held at Regina
Maria Retreat House in Plattsburgh and at St. Bernard's. Annually, a group
of women prepare a float for entrance with the Firemen's Parade.
<< First Grand Regent-Mrs. Cora Ducharme
On August 10, 1974, a group of members accompanied
by Rev. Howard McCasland spent a day at the Shrine of North American Martyrs
at Auriesville. The group has also visited St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal
and Our Lady of Hope in Essex.
The past Grand Regents of the court were Mrs. Cora Ducharme, Mrs. Margaret
Kaska, Mrs. Hazel LaDuke, Mrs. Catherine Ryan, Mrs. Rita Hart and Mrs. Nancy
Petrashune Mrs. Eileen Kaska is the present Regent. Mrs. Barbara Harrigan
is the present District Deputy and past District Deputies included Mrs. Marie
LaFountain, Mrs. Mary Hoit, Mrs. Ruth Brockway, Mrs. Anita Real, Mrs Marie
Macbeth and Mrs. Margaret Johnson. Chaplains of the court were Rev. Donald
Gallagher Rev. Gerald Kellogg, Rev. Harold McCabe and Rev. Albert Giroux.
Rev Howard McCasland is our present Chaplain. Mrs. Catherine Ryan served as
District Deputy from 1964 to 1970 over Courts in Ausable Forks, Dannemora,
and Plattsburgh. She also attended the National Convention in Boston as a
delegate from the Ogdensburg Diocese. We were greatly honored on our 20th
Anniversary to have Miss Margaret McKearney, State Regent, as a surprise guest.
A State Award of Merit for Outstanding Service was awarded the Court in 1966-1968.
Some Officers and Members of Court 1548, C. D. of A. of Lyon
Mountain, N.Y.
Our money raising projects include raffles,
card parties, food sales and dinners. We have even had a minstrel
show and, the last few years, what we call "The 100 Club" has helped greatly.
Members also attend wakes in both parishes-St. Bernard's and St. Michael's.
Unique little garments used during baptism of newborn infants are handmade
by several members and
presented by the CDA to the parish and in turn, are presented to the parents
of infants.
The CDA motto of "Unity and Charity" is really
exemplified during the holiday season. Spiritual bouquet cards are
sent to the sick and shut-ins of St. Bernard's and St. Michael's. Plates
of homemade cookies, cakes, candy and fruit are delivered to the doors of
those who happen to be alone, ill or shut-in, regardless of the religious
affiliation. Five new members were received into the court in 1974 and it
is hoped more will join this spring.
Election of officers is held in May. The
present officers are Regent, Eileen Kaska; First Vice-Regent, Joan Fetzko;
Second Vice-Regent, Irene Baker; Financial Secretary, Leona Bingel; Treasurer,
Frances Bingel; Recording Secretary, Shirley Bingel; Monitor, Margaret Vairin;
Lecturer, Lorraine Farrell; Organist, Margaret Bourey (for 14 yrs.); Clergy
Consultant, Rev. Howard McCasland; Trustees, Anna Chase, Myrtle Siskavich
and JoArin Kaska.
submitted by Eileen Kaska
Court Our Lady of the Snows
List of First Officers of the Court-1950-1951
Grand Regent
Mrs. Cora Ducharme
Vice Regent
Mrs. Patricia Chase
Prophetess
Mrs Margaret Kaska
Lecturer
Mrs. Lorraine Farrell
Historian
Miss Anna Salunas
Financial Secretary Mrs. Rita Bassett
Treasurer
Mrs Jean Tolosky
Monitor
Mrs Patricia Rolich
Sentinel
Mrs. Margaret Varin
Organist
Mrs. Ida Fortier
Go to Page 16 of St Bernard's, Page
17 of Mining for Souls.
Back to Page 14 of St. Bernard's
Back to Page 1 of St. Bernard's
Go to Page 1 of Mining for Souls.(cover
page)
Go to Page 1 of The History
of Lyon Mountain.
Rod Bigelow
Box 13 Chazy Lake
Dannemora, N.Y. 12929
rodbigelow@netzero.net 
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