CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC WOMEN’S CLUB

The Catholic Women’s Club of Christ the King Parish welcomes women of all ages to participate. Members of the Women’s Club focus on its mission which is spiritual renewal, fund-raising for the parish, and social events throughout the year. The Women’s Club’s monthly meetings and activities provide opportunities to meet new people, renew friendships, and participate in the vibrant life of Christ the King Parish.

Pre-Lenten Morning of Reflection
With
Father Edward Healey
Friday, March 1, 2019

2018 ~ 2019 Calendar of Events

March 1 ~ Lenten Retreat
March 16 ~ St Patrick’s Day Dinner
April 26 ~ The Hauntings of Cape Cod
May 18 ~ 50’s Party and Dinner
June 9 ~ Scholarship Brunch

December

On Saturday, December 1, 2018, the Catholic Women’s Club hosted the Annual Christmas Fair from 9 AM – 3 PM in the Parish Center. The event was the culmination of many hours of preparation by many of the Club’s dedicated members and the result was a wonderful shopping experience for all those who attended.

The Fair featured numerous crafters, beautiful jewelry, cash and gift raffles, fresh greens wreaths, door hangings, table arrangements, and boxwood trees. The boutique had lovely gift baskets and assorted items for sale and the homemade baked goods offered for sale were many and scrumptious! The Children’s Shopping room was bustling all day and the Holly Café provided a delicious respite for hungry shoppers to stop and sit for a while and enjoy the offerings of the café.

The Christmas Fair is a major fundraiser for the club’s scholarship awards program. Our thanks and appreciation to every person who helped in any way to make this special day a success!

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November

On Sunday, November 11, the Catholic Women’s Club hosted a Veteran’s Appreciation Luncheon in the Parish Hall following the 10:30 AM Mass. As guests gathered they were greeted with the festive tone of the patriotically decorated room and an array of sumptuous hors-d’oeuvres. Club President Gail Reilly welcomed the attendees and thanked the veterans for their exemplary service to our country. Following the grace, offered by Father Healey, all enjoyed a wonderful meal catered by Chef Roland. The afternoon was graced by the presence of Donny Nolan and members of the parish adult choir who honored each branch of the service with their respective song and also led the group in singing other patriotic favorites.

The highlight of the event was a video presentation developed by Judy Warren. Set to ‘I’m Proud To Be An American’ playing in the background, the video shared a poignant collection of veterans in action throughout the years but most impressively included photographs of a number of our own Christ the King Parish veterans. To say that there was not a dry eye in the house would be an understatement. As veterans who were present received back the photos that had been submitted for the video, conversations about their many memories were sparked. To view more photos from this event go to Veteran’s Day 2018.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR VETERANS FOR PROTECTING OUR FREEDOM!

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October

On Friday afternoon, October 26, Catholic Women’s Club President Gail Reilly welcomed approximately seventy-five members to the Parish Center and a program that included a presentation on the St. Vincent dePaul Food Pantry and other outreach activities, a baby shower, and a hands-on presentation about Autumn decorating Cape Cod style. Following an opening prayer, Gail reviewed the upcoming monthly programs planned by the Club. Gail Reilly then introduced Gail Walsh who presented a brief overview of programs sponsored by the St. Vincent dePaul Society. Mrs. Walsh spoke about the weekly Food Pantry which operates on Wednesday mornings and one Wednesday evening each month and provides food for several hundred families each month. The Needy Case program assists families with need in a variety of ways that extend beyond simply providing food. Finally, Gail Walsh explained that the St. Vincent dePaul organization supports the efforts of the Baby Center in Hyannis, operated by the Council of Churches, by providing diapers to families with infants and toddlers locally. As part of the afternoon’s program Club members had been asked to donate diapers and baby wipes along with other vital infant and toddler needs and thus the Baby Shower. The response was magnificent and Mrs. Walsh was extremely grateful for the generosity of our members.

Gail Reilly then introduced Susan Dewey whose presentation was a hands-on demonstration of making Autumn Wreaths and Swags. Susan is a Garden Club of America judge in floral design and current horticulture chair of the Osterville Garden Club. As she created each item, Susan taught some very insightful ways for members to replicate the work at home. The works she completed for her audience were stunningly beautiful and several of our members took them home as winners of the afternoon’s raffle!

The program ended with many delectable desserts to choose from, along with coffee and cider, and plenty of time for members to spend time with each other. A lovely afternoon to remember.

SEPTEMBER

On Friday, September 14, the Catholic Women’s Club inaugurated a new calendar year.
Father Healy celebrated the Opening Liturgy on the feast of the Exultation of the Cross. In his homily, Father told the beautifully detailed story of St. Helena, mother of The Emperor Constantine. It was through the efforts of the aging Helena that the true Cross was discovered in Jerusalem, a basilica was built on the spot where the Cross was found, and Helena’s son, Constantine, decreed that Christianity could be practiced and would become the dominant religion of the Roman Empire. In his closing remarks Father noted that as Mary had brought Christ to the world, Helena had brought Christianity to the world,
Following Mass, members gathered in the Parish Hall and were greeted by President Gail Reilly who welcomed new members and welcomed back returning members. Gail reviewed the upcoming programs planned for the year and introduced Dottie Hiltz, Christmas Fair Chairperson, who spoke briefly about the Fair and encouraged members to use the sign-up sheets on the tables to volunteer. President Reilly then introduced Father Healey who graciously agreed to donate his famous meat pies to the Christmas Fair if he could recruit 4 or 5 volunteers to assist in their preparation.

Following the grace, led by Father Healey, members enjoyed a buffet luncheon catered by Laura’s Home Cookin’.

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June

On Sunday morning, June 10, 2018, members of Christ the King Catholic Women’s Club gathered for their Annual Meeting at the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth. Following a welcome and blessing by Reverend Deacon Robert Lemay attendees enjoyed a sumptuous brunch.

The Annual Meeting began with the presentation of six college scholarships to graduating high school seniors who have been actively involved members of Christ the King Parish. The outstanding scholarship recipients were Justin Bernier, Ilya Boyd, Michael Burke, Myranda Goveia, Hannah Laird, and Joseph Papapietro. The presentation of scholarship awards was followed by the installation of club officers conducted by Reverend Deacon Robert Lemay. Installed as officers were: Gail Reilly, President, Suzi Rego, Vice President, Carol DeVincent, Recording Secretary, Maddy Hooke, Corresponding Secretary, Joanne Coletti, Treasurer. On behalf of the Pastor of Christ the King Parish, Reverend Edward Healey, Deacon Lemay then accepted a donation to the parish from the Women’s Club. Father Healey had earlier expressed his thanks and appreciation to the club for its tireless efforts, commitment and support of the parish. The program concluded with the outgoing Catholic Women’s Club President, Teri Sweatman, expressing her appreciation for the opportunity to lead the group for the past two years and most especially for the assistance and encouragement she received from members of the Board and membership of the club whom she encouraged to remain involved and participative in the ongoing activities of the club. Mrs. Sweatmen was presented with a stunning bouquet of roses as the gathering ended.

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CATHOLIC WOMEN’S CLUB HOSTS AFTERNOON TEA WITH THE LAVENDER LADY

On Friday, April 27, 2018, Christ the King Catholic Women’s Club hosted an afternoon tea and a presentation by Nancy Engel, ‘the Lavender Lady’. A medical aromatherapist, Nancy was trained in France by a French medical doctor, a German chemist, and an Australian naturopath. She has studied aromatic plants for over 25 years, working the harvests of Provence and Turkey. She has been featured in the Boston Globe, as well as on PBS and Chronicle. Ms. Engel encouraged the audience to read the labels of the lavender products they purchase to see if the product contains a ‘fine lavender’, or is labeled AOC, indicating a very highly organic product never grown near roadways, etc. Ms. Engel spoke of the many and varied attributes of lavender from a taste, to the aroma, to the effect of lavender on the central nervous system, to its healing power. The lavender essential oil may be used to treat small burns and cuts, headaches, as a sleep aid, antidepressant, antiseptic, insect repellent, and for insect bites. She markets essential oil products through her business, Goodness Remedies, in Southboro, MA. For further explanation of the benefits of lavender and other essential oils, Ms. Engel recommended reading THE COMPLETE BOOK OF ESSENTIAL OILS AND AROMATHERAPY by Valerie Ann Worwood and LAVENDER OIL by Julia Lawless.

Prior to Ms. Engel’s presentation, club members and guests sampled a wide variety of tea sandwiches enjoyed with a cup of tea. Following the presentation, the winners of two raffle gifts, provided by the speaker, were announced. The afternoon concluded with a wide selection of dessert bites, tea, and congenial conversation.
The next meeting of the Catholic Women’s Club will be on Friday, May 18, 2018, at 11:15 AM in the Parish Center. Featured presenter will be Meg Hovsepian, Designer and Manager of Setting the Space located in Mashpee Commons who will speak on the topic of Coastal Chic Living. A salad luncheon will follow, and the donation is $20.00. For further information or to register for the program please call 774-238-6071.