The Council of Catholic Women was founded at St. John the Evangelist in 1923! 2023 marks our 100th year of continuous service to our Church and community. We were founded by a group of women who gathered together to sew clothing for the poor!
Through the years, we have chaired Bingo to support our school, contributed towards the addition to our school, made drapes for the hall, purchased refrigerators for the Church, hymnal stand for Church, items for the school and donated money to the Church accessibility fund among many things.
On 11-4-91, a baby was left in the vestibule of St John the Evangelist Church on the night of a Catholic Women meeting. Fr. Rousseau found Baby Carolyn when he went to turn on the parking lot lights for us. He enlisted help from the ladies meeting downstairs! The following year, Carolyn’s Place was founded and several of our members volunteer there now.
We continued to meet during Wars and the Covid pandemic and this year merged with the Ladies Ministry of St. Mary Magdalen, who were formed in 1952. This is their 71st year of continued service! The ladies from St. Mary Magdalen have been the helping hands of their Church, working on the Church Bazaar, the Carnival, Home Front Day, donating to the needy and hosting many events. Due to our merger this year we voted to rename us Catholic Women of Holy Disciples Parish. Together we have helped St. Vincent DePaul, Carolyn’s Place, the Brian O’Connell Homeless Project and Watertown Social Services.
We will be having a CELEBRATION on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at St. John the Evangelist Church, beginning with Mass at 11 am followed by a reception in Fr. Filip Hall. All are welcome to celebrate with us!