Attention all Chili Cooks!!

Can you prepare a delicious batch of CHILI? Do you have a secret chili recipe? Then you (or your organization) should compete to win at the May 9th Chili Cook-Off sponsored by the Catholic Daughters and the Knights of Columbus, taking place in Prendergast Hall at 5:30 p.m. If you are interested in competing, please click here to register or call Melissa at (619) 252-7198.

Grab a Taste of Baja at our Lenten Fish Dinner!

Court Santa Sophia will be serving Ensenada Fish Tacos at the March 13th Lenten Fish Dinner. Maria Elena Grimm will be preparing her special recipe for fish tacos and the meal will be accompanied with rice, beans, salad and Mexican Chocolate Cake for dessert.

Prices are $7.00 ($7.50 at the door) for adults, and $4 for children. Special family pricing is $25 — What a deal!! Pre-sale tickets will be sold after Saturday Vigil Mass and all three Sunday Masses at Santa Sophia.

We hope to see you there! Bring a friend!!

“Doing God’s Work” - The Catholic Charities Annual Baby Shower

ON JANUARY 31ST, Catholic Charities held their annual Baby Shower—an event that Court Santa Sophia has been participating in since its inception. Debbie Crutchfield and Anne Havin coordinated efforts to collect baby items and deliver them downtown to the Catholic Charities. It was a time to share and visit with ladies from various diocesan CDA parishes who came together with one common goal—to help mothers and their children. These ladies were excited about what they were doing. As reported by Anne, “We felt a kind of energy that only comes from doing God’s work!!”

Lizzet and Wendy, heads of the Catholic Charities Pregnancy and Adoption Services, stated that they rely heavily on donations generated by the Baby Shower and the CDA. Therefore, they make sure that the items are carefully distributed so that as many mothers as possible will benefit.

Santa Sophia CDA donated particularly darling baby clothes, blankets, baby booties, some handmade as well as purchased. We had received diapers, lotions, layette sets, and the list goes on.

Anne and Debbie were superstars of the day, with Anne being instrumental in getting a needs list to other CDA courts and Debbie being proactive in helping to move items to where they will be sorted. Once again, we can be proud of the generosities of Court Santa Sophia and our volunteers!! Next year we hope to have more members participate in the drop-off. It is very well worth the experience.

Anne Havin showing off an adorable shirt donated by a Court Santa Sophia member




Debbie Crutchfield sorts through the various donations




Lizzet and Wendy, heads of the Catholic Charities Pregnancy and Adoption Services

The Education Contest Entries are In!!

We are thrilled to see such a great turnout for our very first Education Contest! This year's theme was "God's Gifts in My Life" and entries were submitted in the categories of essay and art. Entries in Division II (6th, 7th, and 8th graders) were submitted last Friday, February 13th and were judged on February 20th. Our judges were non-CDA volunteers that had backgrounds in education.

Many hours were spent poring over 120+ entries in both essay and art. Ultimately, the entries were whittled down to six 1st and 2nd place winners in the essay category and two 1st place winners in the art category.

Thank you to Pam Kay who hosted the judging session at a dinner in her lovely home. And many thanks to our judges, Steve and Linda Crabtree, Faris and Sana Auro, and Jerry Kay. We really appreciate the hard work you put into making this contest a success!

Winners will soon be announced at an assembly at Santa Sophia Academy. Below are photos of the judges in action:

The Wedding Celebration - A Memorable Valentine's Night

On February 14th, 2009, Valentine's Day,  the Catholic Daughters teamed up with the Knights of Columbus to put on a fabulous event called, "The Wedding Celebration." Guests were treated to a night of mingling, dinner, and dancing just as they would at a wedding reception - complete with a surprise bride and groom!

Prendergast hall was decorated beautifully, thanks to our friends Cathy and Tomas at Celebrity Weddings, who provided chaircovers, table linens and various decorations throughout the hall. Catholic Daughter, Chris Murphy helped with the decor planning and centerpieces. Jean Barrett and friends, as well as a few Catholic Daughters assisted in setting up the tables and making sure the hall was transformed into a wedding reception.

The bride and groom (a married couple) plus the wedding party of single guests were chosen at random from a bucket of entries. The lucky couple, Ron and Anita, won a 2-night stay at Barona Valley Ranch and Casino with dinner for 2 at Sage restaurant and a round of golf.

The evening started with a cocktail reception where guests reminisced about past weddings at the wedding album viewing table. Our bartenders, Leo McGarry and Bill Kelly, from the Knights of Columbus kept the mood lively, serving up beer, wine, sodas, margaritas and cape cods. Guests were treated to vegetable crudités and a cheese and cracker display where portions where donated by Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market.

Throughout the evening, events were being documented by Tony Amat of AR Event Photography and were featured on a projector playing at the beginning of the party. Dinner was coordinated and prepared by Catholic Daughter, Melissa Hiatt and her team of helpers in the kitchen. The Columbian Squires assisted in getting the food to the guests and bussing tables.

The evening would not be complete without the DJ and Masters of Ceremonies, Thom Hiatt, who kept the night going, announcing the wedding party, giving away door prizes, and making sure that events happened on time. Like most wedding receptions, there was a first dance, garter and bouquet toss, a "Mad Libs" style champange toast, and a cake cutting. There was also a money dance, where the money collected went to the charity of the bride and groom's choice - approximately $109 was collected for St. Vincent de Paul.

The event was a success, raising $1100 in profit for the CD's and $1100 for the Knights. A second annual "Wedding Celebration" has already been scheduled for February 13th, 2010.

Below are some photo highlights of the event:

Guest feedback:

Just wanted to let you know that we had such a good time last night.  As advertised, everything was beautiful.  The food was 5 star, restaurant quality-really yummy!  Thank you both for all your hard work-every minute you put into it was worth it-at least for the rest of us.  I heard many people say it was nice to come to an event that they didn't have to do anything for- except show up.  I hope you saved one of those Barona prizes for yourselves-you deserve it. Thanks again. – B & S

A+ event.  At this event I heard ONLY good comments.  Everyone had a great time.  They are all looking forward to next year. The food was perfectly prepared.  The food was HOT from the very first person, to the very last.  WOW, what an orchestration!  I wish the Knights could do that. – J

Please let the Knights know that my invited family and friends had a wonderful time at the Valentine's Day  Dinner Dance last night. It was an very creative way of celebrating love and marriage and embracing those of us who have been divorced, separated or widowed...and who otherwise would likely have had no place to go on Valentine's Day! I must say that the food was phenomenal, the cake was fantastic and the service impeccable. Thom did a great job of keeping the party going with his great stage presence and excellent music selection. He made those of us from St. Lukes feel very welcomed at your parish event. My thanks goes out to  all of the donors and contributors who put on a spectacular event for a worthy cause. The stunning decor was most appreciated and really added to the festivities. My mother (one of the bridesmaids, incidentally), loves to dance. Since my dad passed away, she really doesn't have that opportunity. She is also recovering from knee surgery and was laid up for several weeks. You have no idea how much joy it brought me to have a place to bring my mom on Valentine's Day...where she got to dress up, dance and celebrate. We had a great time!! Anyway, let the party planners know that everyone did an excellent job of executing this first-ever non-wedding Wedding and I hope to see this become a Valentine's Day tradition there at Santa Sophia. I think all would agree that it was a smashing success!! (PS It was such a honor to stand up for that most deserving couple and to be a part of that lasting memory.) – G

The Valentine's Dinner was really fun, even though I had to be the groom! Thanks again,  you were a great host! – R

A Great Big THANKS to our sponsors and donors:

Celebrity Weddings

Tony Amat, AR Event Photography

Jerry and Pam Kay, Rosarito Penthouse

Ranas Mexico City Cuisine

Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market

Mt. Helix Florist

Griffin's Auto Repair

Marie Rame

Rita Frizenkotter, Premier Jewelry Designs

John Kruzel

Millie Maraia

Harriet and Pat Chagnon

Only Three Weeks Remain! Valentine's Wedding Celebration Dinner and Dance

The Knights of Columbus

and

Catholic Daughters of the Americas

request the honor of your presence at our
Valentine's Day Dinner and Dance

Saturday, February 14, 2009
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Santa Sophia Church - Prendergast Hall
Only $25 per adult age 21+ married or single - all are invited!

Join us as we celebrate love and marriage.  It's all the fun of a wedding party, and no need to buy a gift!

• Married couples can sign up for some special fun -- a chance to be our surprise bride and groom!  Immediately before dinner our emcee will randomly draw the name of one of our married couples to be honored for the night.  Win a free 2-night stay at Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino (dinner and golf are included) as well as the opportunity to be the center of attention at the party!
• If you are single, sign-up for the drawing to be one of 3 bridesmaids and 3 groomsmen in the wedding party.  You will sit at the head table and you can win a prize, too -- if you catch the bouquet or garter!
• All couples are encouraged to bring their wedding pictures to place on our display table.
• Enjoy a pre-dinner social time. Beer and wine will be available.
  
• Dine on a delicious gourmet meal and wedding cake served by waiters.
  
• Dance the night away with music and fun provided by DJ Thom Hiatt.
  
• Men and ladies -- have fun with a "Dollar Dance" featuring the bride and groom.
  
• Prizes will be given throughout the night... even jewelry!
  

Tickets are available at the Kiosk after all Saturday and Sunday Masses until sold out. 

Space is limited - and going fast - so purchase your tickets this week!

Make checks payable to the Knights of Columbus.

No tickets will be sold at the door.

Menu
Mixed Baby Greens, Gorgonzola and Walnuts
with Citrus Dressing
Fruit Stuffed Pork Loin
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Chef's Vegetable
Champagne Toast
Wedding Cake
Coffee or Tea


Wine, Beer and Soda available

Our Sponsors

A big hug to our wonderful friends at Celebrity Weddings who have so generously donated the use of their professional-grade chair covers, table linens, charger plates and other decorations. Please call Cathy at 619-804-3959 when planning your next special event, anniversary, or corporate party or visit http://www.celebrityweddings.us.

If you or your company would like to help sponsor this event, please contact Thom Hiatt.

Your Hosts

The Knights of Columbus render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted  through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas is one of the oldest and largest organizations of Catholic women in the Americas. They donate to charities, administer scholarship programs and strive to be helping hands where there is pain, poverty, sorrow or sickness.

If you would like more information about this event, or are interested in joining our organzations, please contact us by clicking on one of  the links below:

Knights of Columbus - Casa de Oro Council

Catholic Daughters of the Americas - Court Santa Sophia

Catholic Charities Annual Baby Shower January 31, 2009

The Catholic Charities Annual Baby shower is January 31, 2009. Court Santa Sophia participates in this event annually.

For those who have forgotten to bring items to the January meeting or who were unable to attend, Anne Havin will be picking up items on Sunday, January 25th after the 7:30 and 9:30 masses at Santa Sophia in Prendergrast hall. Please bring baby clothes, diapers, maternity clothes and any other baby items that you would like to donate.

These items will be delivered to Catholic Charities on January 31st.

The 2009 Tea Party and Membership Drive was a success!

Thank you to all who attended the Tea Party and Membership Drive – the event was a huge success. We had over 40 guests attend and gained 14 new members to help us with our work within the Church and community. 

Special thanks to Dee for planning the event, Chris Murphy for the decorations and to all the CDA members who donated the delicious food! 

Here are photo highlights of the event:

Tea Party and Membership Drive

January 18, 2009

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

De Moor Room at Santa Sophia Parish

9800 San Juan Street, Spring Valley, CA

The Catholic Daughters invite all women to come for tea, sandwiches and sweets - and learn more about the Catholic Daughters national and local charity efforts. This annual membership tea is a perfect time to discern if joining Catholic Daughters is right for you! RSVP by email to Dee Sanford or call 619-471-5837.