Good food, high spirits

Members of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas from Waseca’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church gathered at University Park Tuesday, August 9 for a potluck, where they celebrated their religious sisterhood through the sharing of delicious, homemade goods.

The Catholic Daughters, who are part of one of the largest women’s organizations in America, meet monthly (except for July) and are patrons to a variety of national, state, and local charitable and religious causes. 

One national cause the Catholic Daughters support is Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit which builds houses for those in need. About four years ago, the Catholic Daughters were recipients of a grant through the non-profit, which allowed them to build a home in Owatonna.

The Catholic Daughters also raise funds to support Minnesota seminarians. Finally, Sacred Heart’s Catholic Daughters support their church and school with fundraisers and advocate for pregnancy options in Faribault. 

One special project for the Catholic Daughters is “Socktober,” a month-long donation event in October, that collects socks for area people in need.

“We’re a big sisterhood,” said Pat Foley, who acts as regent for the Sacred Heart Catholic Daughters.

She added that in the Catholic Daughters calendar, Tuesday’s potluck was the first meeting of the year and that the organization’s members pray for each other often. 

Members of the Catholic Daughters present at the potluck Tuesday included the aforementioned Foley, Sue Harguth, Shirley Kern, Carmen Battenford, Connie Ockwig, Joan Ignaszewski, Deb Pereault, Lori Mickaelson, and Judy Thomas.

The Catholic Daughters have a rich and storied history in the Waseca community. This year, Sacred Heart’s Catholic Daughters are celebrating 75 years of sisterhood