Our History
BELLEFONTE CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAS COURT #448·WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2018·
Court Reverend Patrick McArdle #448 was instituted January 18, 1920 by Court Ave Maria #339 Lock Haven. Odille Mott was the first Grand Regent, and seventy-three charter members were received. The Court’s namesake was pastor at St. John the Evangelist for 37 years until his death in 1917, before t
he Court was formed. To give a sense of unity to the organization, several traditions were followed during the early years of the Court. A password, which was changed quarterly , was in use until the late sixties. Communion was received as a body every three months. Classes were organized to go into the rural district to teach catechism. Strawberry socials were a favored activity for the newly formed Court. Euchre parties and box socials were common fund-raising events. Today, these activities have expanded to include bake sales, card parties, bazaars and raffles. Contributions were made to Irish Relief. The Charity Fund for St. John’s Orphanage was established in 1921. Over the years, the Court has regularly participated in joint community activities such as ecumenical services, World Day of Prayer, and Council of Churches. Other activities include the sponsorship of a Court representative to attend the annual March for Life in Washington, D. C., organization of a Pro-Life Prayer Service and baby shower, and monetary contributions to further the course of Pro-Life. Over many years, the Court has been honored by having six District Deputies: Odille Mott, Mary Gray, Josephine Ebeling, Janet Oesterling, Irene DeGraff and Helen Lowry. Josephine went on to be come State Secretary, 2nd Vice State Regent, 1st Vice State Regent, State Regent, and National Director. Janet was appointed State –Sub Chair for the Tutwiler Clinic in the first year that it was added as a National Project. The Court is active on the Diocesan level. We have helped sponsor a young lady and give each year to the Mt. Aloysius Scholarship Fund, a Diocesan fund to help a needy student. Beyond the Diocesan level, pledges have been made and given to the Chair of Catholic Church History at Catholic University and the Bishop’s Relocation Fund in Washington, D. The Catholic Daughters throughout the United States support the Marian Chapels at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in our nation’s capital, and Court members are proud to have taken part in establishing this National landmark. Annual donations are also made to the North American College in Rome. Several National Projects are targeted each year for contributions, including the Tutwiler Clinic. Court Reverend Patrick McArdle #448 is a multi-faceted Court and actively participates in the Circle of Love national program. These activities include, in part: education contest, spiritual retreats, rosary rallies, Pro-Life, Center for Sexual Exploitation, WRAP campaign, and scholastic school awards. Serving lunches and dinners, for various organizations and funerals, and the annual Christmas bazaar continue to be the primary fund raisers to support Circle of Love activities. More recently, the sale of Mystic Maid cleaning cloths had also been a major fund raiser. The Court successfully fostered the installation of a new Court in State College, Court Blessed Madonna #2521, in September 2003 and just installed another new Court in Clarence, Court St. Gerard Majella # 2749. The Court membership currently stands at 112, with 7 Life members.
