The women of St. Isidore Council of Catholic Women (CCW) are nearing the close of a very blessed and successful year. Our mission is to unite, support, empower and educate members in spirituality, leadership and service. We raise funds throughout the year in order to support our mission.
In September an invitation to become active CCW members was extended to all women of the parish. A welcome dinner/meeting was held. Annual dues collected were banked for our operating expenses. In October, we select a “Cause of the Year” and this year it is the St. Joseph’s Carmelite Home and Orphanage, Indiana. Our first fundraiser, the Holiday Craft Fair, was held in November with profits going to support our work throughout the year. All monies remaining at year’s end, will be sent to St. Joseph’s Home.
After Thanksgiving it’s time for our annual West Suburban Nursing Home Christmas Party. With the help of generous donations from the St. Isidore community and hosted by CCW, a party for the residents was held at the Nursing Home. Every resident received a gift from Santa’s elves.
We make contributions to the Diocesanwide Bishop Blanchette Scholarship fund in the name of a member who experiences one of the following: death, surgery, or experiences a death of a spouse or
minor child. The Diocese awards the scholarship to Catholic high school students. This year the winner was a member of our parish. We also award a separate $500 tuition scholarship to a deserving St. Isidore incoming 6th, 7th or 8th grade student.
CCW members hosted PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) and provided all the food needed to feed the 68 people who sought shelter at St. Isidore. The guests were provided with dinner, breakfast and a bagged lunch. At the March meeting, the money raised at the White Elephant auction went to our cause, the orphanage. The student group (Marquardt Student Serving Society) received money that was donated in honor of Stella’s 100th birthday.
Our largest fundraiser of the year, St. Joseph’s Table, was held on March 19, St. Joseph’s feast day. It was a great success, with the total profit of $7,000 given to the Neighborhood Food Pantry and PADS
After Easter CCW members and parishioners baked an abundance of delicious desserts for the Cookies for Kids bake sale. Proceeds of $2,600 were sent to the Nyumbani Children’s Home in Kenya. We end our year in May as we install new officers. We would like to thank our St. Isidore family for their continued support for our activities.