Serving Fish Dinners and Serving the Homeless

For the second year in a row, the CDA hosted the most well-attended and tastiest Lenten Fish Dinner this season! Thanks to Maria Elena Grimm's Fish Taco Recipe and the many volunteers, this event was a great success! CDA served Ensenada fish tacos with rice and beans, salad, nachos, a salsa bar and to top it off, a Mexican chocolate cake.

This year, we teamed up with the Interfaith Shelter at Santa Sophia and fed temporary residents during our dinner. Residents were delighted to have such a fantastic meal, hot and ready for them! We had more than enough to give them seconds and it was very much appreciated.

Thank you, Maria Elena for making this a great event again and to all the members who chopped, stirred, cleaned, baked, decorated and served with a great CDA smile!

Reception of New Members - April 21, 2010

A Special Invitation for

You are cordially invited
to participate in the
Catholic Daughters of the Americas

Reception of New Members

Wednesday, April 21, 2010
6:00 PM
Santa Sophia Catholic Church
9800 San Juan Street
Spring Valley, CA 91977
Celebrant: Fr. Peter McGuine

Mass begins at 6:00 PM
Champagne & Wine reception to follow
R.S.V.P. by email PamKay@fiberartist.com
or call (619)464-2009

Officers are encouraged to wear their robes

Reserve a spot for the "Junk from your trunk" sale!

Load up your car trunk, truck bed or minivan with all of your gently-used treasures and drive down to Santa Sophia to join others for a giant rummage sale!

When: May 1, 8:00 am to 1:00pm
Where: The parking lot next to the Catechetical Ministry Building.
How: Create your own store in a parking space to clean out those things you’ve been meaning to get rid of! For only $20 per parking space we'll take care of advertising this giant sale. Just show up with your treasures to sell.

Reserve early for the best spots. Please click here to reserve online or call (619) 463-2299. Your reservation fee will benefit the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and their efforts to support the parish and community.

Thank You for Attending Our Membership Tea!

Thank you to those who attended our Afternoon Tea and Membership drive! We had a great turnout and it was nice to see new faces as well as our current members! We gained 4 new members from the Membership Drive.

A special thanks to Dee Sanford for organizing this event, Mr. Joe Cromwell for the entertainment, Victor Lopez for the mimosas, and to all the ladies who brought delicious treats!

To view more photos, please click the link below:

Membership Tea 2010

2010 Education Contest - "The Joys of God Surrounds Us"

The 2010 Education Contest was a success! Entries were submitted by 4th through 8th graders from Santa Sophia Academy in the Essay, Art, and Photography Categories. The judges have selected six 1st place winners and four 2nd place winners. We were able to submit two winners in Essay and Photography categories in Division II and two winners in Art and Essay categories in Division I.

Special thanks to our judges who have a background in education and to Pam Kay to opening her home during the judging!

Here are the judges in action:

Our Best Baby Shower Yet!

2010 was our most successful year for the CDA Catholic Charities Baby Shower. Court 2520 overwhelmingly responded to the call. A special thank you to all of you wonderful ladies for your generosity, especially since this is a financially difficult year for most families. It seems that in the midst of hard times we especially rise to the occasion. These special donations will be remembered and cherished by the mothers who are in need now more than ever.

Thank you to our co-chairs for this event, Anne Havin and Debbie Crutchfield! Without your leadership, our Circle of Love project for LIFE would not have been this successful!

Below are photo highlights:

The 2nd Annual Wedding Celebration

On February 13th, 2010, the Catholic Daughters teamed up with the Knights of Columbus to put on their 2nd Annual "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 transformed, thanks to our returning sponsors, Cathy and Tomas at Celebrity Weddings, who provided chaircovers, table linens and gorgeous candelabra centerpieces for each table. Many thanks to Catholic Daughters, Rebecca Kelly, Marie Mixon, Claire Rerucha Lake, Dee Sanford, Melissa Hiatt, Millie Maraia, Diana Garra, Rosa Caeti and Debbie Crutchfield who helped decorate and prepare food for the event.

The bride and groom (a married couple) were chosen at random from a bucket of entries. The lucky couple, John and Sue Campion, won a 2-night stay at Barona Valley Ranch and Casino with dinner for 2 at their Italian restaurant. They selected Van and Rita Fritzenkotter and John and Georgene Kruzel to be at their side as their wedding party.

The evening started with a cocktail reception where guests were treated to hors d'oeuvres partially provided by Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market on Campo Road. Our bartender, Leo McGarry, from the Knights of Columbus kept the mood lively, serving up beer, wine, sodas, specialty drinks.

Throughout the evening, events were being documented by Tony Amat of AR Event Photography. A dinner buffet was coordinated and prepared by Brother Knight, Sam Caeti and Catholic Daughter, Melissa Hiatt and their team of helpers in the kitchen. A gracious donation of salads and breadsticks were provided by Pat & Oscar's Plaza Bonita Mall .

For dessert, guests were treated to a delicious Red Velvet cake donated by Grove Pastry Shop in Lemon Grove.

The Columbian Squires assisted in clearing plates from the table and the Catholic Daughters clean-up crew consisted of Melinda Bauers, Claire Rerucha Lake, Lou Turner, Chris Murphy and Dee Sanford.

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.

Below are some photo highlights of the event:

Many Thanks to our Wonderful Sponsors:

Our wonderful friends at Celebrity Weddings have once again 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.

www.AREventPhotography.com

www.breadstick.com

www.grovepastryshop.com

www.hctb.net

www.freshandeasy.com

9912 Campo Road, Spring Valley

9711-9729 Campo Road, Spring Valley

Cali Comfort Restaurant & Sports Bar

Casa de Oro Haircutter

Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce

Premier Designs by Rita Fritzenkotter

Mt. Helix Florist

Beauty & Wellness Day Spa

Santa Sophia Catholic Church

Rescheduled Afternoon Tea - February 21st

An invitation to adult Catholic Women in San Diego's East County

Please join us for


Sunday, February 21, 2010, 1:00pm

in the DeMoor Room
at Santa Sophia Parish
9600 San Juan Street, Spring Valley, CA


ADMISSION IS FREE!

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 calling Dee Sanford call 619-471-5837.

Click the link below to view some photos of last year's event:

CDA Membership Tea 1/18/2009

Circle of Love Project: Life - Catholic Charities Baby Shower

It is truly a blessing for women to lend charity to other women and their babies. Unwed mothers are heroines learning to live in this world with some sense of stability and love for their children and families. This country should never have women in need, as our unwed mothers or other unfortunate women with needs. We have to stand by them as guardians any way we see possible.

This is a reminder that our Catholic Daughter Circle of Love Baby Shower is at our next meeting, Thursday, January 28 at 7:00 pm in the Verhoeven Room.

As you are able, please bring item(s) from the wish list below. I will be proud to deliver them to the January 30, 2010 Catholic Charities baby shower - our Circle of Love recipient. I also invite anyone who would like to attend this one hour event and fellowship with other CDA ladies from neighboring parishes to come along.

Thank you as always for your support and prayers.

Anne Havin
Catholic Daughter Member


Baby Shower Wish List

For Babies:
Diapers, onsies, formula, wipes, toiletries, clothes, booties, socks, blankets, sleeping outfits, bottles, pacifiers, bathtubs, changing tables, towels, wash cloths, bassinets, bibs, high chairs, and diaper pails.


For Mothers:

Maternity clothes, nursing pads, toiletries, towels, and washcloths.

The Membership Drive / Tea Party has been postponed

The membership drive and tea party has been postponed. We will keep you updated once a new date has been set. We apologize for any inconvenience. We look forward to having our yearly event and meeting new faces!

Join us for Afternoon Tea

An invitation to Catholic women 18 and up in San Diego's East County

Please join us for

Sunday, January 17, 2010, 1:00pm

in the DeMoor Room

at Santa Sophia Parish

9600 San Juan Street, Spring Valley, CA

ADMISSION IS FREE!

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 calling Dee Sanford call 619-471-5837.

Click the link below to view some photos of last year's event:

CDA Membership Tea 1/18/2009

Buy Your Tickets for the 2nd Annual Wedding Celebration Dinner & Dance

Saturday, February 13, 2010

6-10 PM

at Santa Sophia's Prendergast Hall

Last year's sell-out event is about to be topped! Enjoy a fun and romantic dinner & dance party that has been created like a real wedding reception! Your ticket is your chance to be the honored "Bride and Groom" and win the "Honeymoon" Prize!

Only $30 per adult age 21+ married or single - all are invited!

Gourmet Dinner Buffet

Champagne Toast

Wedding Cake & Cutting

Cash Bar with Specialty Drinks

"Honeymoon" Prizes including a 2-night stay at a local resort & casino

with dinner for two and two rounds of golf

Faster food service and more dancing!

Guests are encouraged to bring their wedding photos to display on our table

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

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

Make checks payable to the Knights of Columbus.

No tickets will be sold at the door.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS OF LAST YEAR'S EVENT!

Our Sponsors

Our wonderful friends at Celebrity Weddings have once again 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.

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