Catholic Daughters of the Americas

As a part of the national Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA), Court Kavanaugh #54, is a women’s group deeply involved in parish life by sponsoring a variety of events, hosting charitable fundraisers and offering opportunities for spiritual growth.

In general, the court meets on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m., preceded by a social half-hour starting at 6:30 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Room, on the first floor of the Basiilica’s Lyceum. The court sponsors two spiritual day-retreats at Advent and Lent. Its members raise money for multiple charities including Wounded Warriors, Morality in the Media, the North American College in Rome, Covenant House for homeless teenagers, Blessed Mother Teresa sites, and the Laboure Society that encourages vocations to religious life. In November we host an annual wine tasting called Divine Libations, our largest fundraiser of the year. We sponsor local educational awards given to students in parishes across the Arlington Diocese for various accomplishments including writing, poetry, computer art, photography and others. The awards presentation event occurs every May in the Lyceum.

As a group, we visit local spiritual sites including the Saint John Paul II Shrine, the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, DC. Every fall we spend a morning of reflection at the Poor Clare Monastery in Alexandria, during which our priest-sponsor offers Mass, confession, adoration and spiritual talks.

The Junior Catholic Daughters is the youth program of the CDA. The JDCA court at the Basilica is open to all Catholic girls in grades 2 through 12. The primary goal is to promote the spiritual growth of our girls and encourage their service to the parish and local community.

CDA’s Next Meeting:

Due to the upcoming Columbus Day holiday, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA), Court Kavanaugh No. 54, will be holding their monthly membership meeting on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at 7 p.m. in the parish office’s Saint Joseph Room, 313 Duke St. Join CDA for their social at 6:30 p.m. prior to their meeting beginning. Any ladies interested in being part of CDA’s good works are encouraged to come.

The CDA installed their officers for 2024-2025. Here are the new officers

Left to Right in the front row:

Financial Secretary – Nancy Fronckewicz

Vice Regent– Mary Rushen

Regent – Maureen Phillips-Houser

Recording secretary – Adria Tayrani

Treasurer – Angela Logomasini

To listen to a podcast on CDA, click below:

Not even rain could deter the Catholic Daughters of the Americas from hosting a Rosary Rally on October 16, 2021, at Market Square. The rally was held in conjunction with “America Needs Fatima” Rosary Rallies held across the country. The goal of America Needs Fatima is to win the heart and soul of America for Mary by spreading Our Lady’s of Fatima message and promoting devotion to Her Immaculate Heart. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Scheuren)

Contact the apostolate leader Maureen Phillips-Houser by using this form.