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Circle of Love

- CDA activities and projects at the Local, State and National level are an extension of the vision, focus and creative commitment of the Circle of Love program. The seven points represent the needs of the Church and community best served by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas in the areas of: Education, Family, Leadership, Legislation, Quality of Life, Spiritual Enhancement, Youth/JCDA. This program binds Catholic Daughters of the Americas together in a common cause: members can support large scale projects at the national and state level and also initiate projects in their communities. This program provides Local Courts with structure and flexibity to creatively minister to their nearest neighbors most effectively.
  
  The Circle of Love information provided on the Texas State Website intends to assist Catholic Daughters in working with the Church and community. To be effective in promoting good works, we must reach out and make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering, whether it be through their own fault or the circumstances in which they find themselves.
  
  Local Courts are asked to select those portions of the program that their members feel comfortable working on in their area. Members need to experience fulfillment when the projects are completed. This can happen when courts are selective in choosing court programs.
  
  Please research each of the State Projects including Missions of Mercy State Projects listed on this website and National Projects and National Charities found via a link the Catholic Daughters National website to obtain more information for your local courts. Courts are invited to participate in state level projects and also initiate their own projects based on local need and resources and abilities of the Local Court. Each Local Court should appoint a Circle of Love Chairman for each of the seven spokes of the Circle of Love. Texas has appointed a Circle of Love Chairman found in the password proteded Texas Information Notebook (see your regent or district deputy for assistance)for each of the spokes. These chairman lead projects at the state level and provide guidance to Local Courts. For the latest Texas Circle of Love news, the Texas Lone Star Messenger newsletter, published quarterly, contains news and updates from each of the State Circle of Love Chairmen.
  
  Each year courts report on their Circle of Love projects in order to share ideas and recognize achievement. Local Courts submit projects accomplishments to State Chairmen. Winners at this level represent outstanding accomplishment and those project reports are sent to the National level. Project winners are recognized at State and National conventions. Circle of Love reporting forms for Texas can be downloaded from the Forms Library.
  
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- Circle of Love Education
  Through the Circle of Love Program, there are many ways to help the CDA members acquire knowledge in different areas. Education is a key ingredient which significantly impacts the long term success of our organization because through education members feel fulfilled and become resilient.
  
  Education in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas courts can be accomplished by providing Scholarships, participating in the Education Contest offered at the National level, assisting in the Religious Education programs in the parishes, and promoting Literacy, through initiatives such Promoting Literacy Across Texas (formerly Read Across America).
  
  The Education Contest allows both youth and adults to participate in the different categories of Art, Computer Art, Poetry, Essay, Music, and Photography.
  
  Circle of Love Education Overview
  by Susan Wells, State Chairman
  
  Court Immaculate Mary #2134 promotes literacy by donating books to Danbury Elementary and Westside Elementary in Angleton.
- Circle of Love Family
  Goals for the Family spoke are: Supporting the role and dignity of the family and discerning ways the Church and society can renew a commitment to the family founded upon the marriage between a man and a woman. Activites in this area support unity and joy within the familiy unit. The Texas Court hosts a biennial family day at the Houston Astros baseball park.
  The dignity of human life is upheld from conception to natural death.
  
  Texas Catholic Daughters marched in the Texas Rally for Life held on January 28, 2023 in Austin, Texas. They also sponsored a table at the Texas Rally for Life Expo.
- Circle of Love Leadership
  Leadership opportunites exist at the local, state and national level, allowing women to build their leadership skills and make a great network of working friendships. Large states such as Texas divide the state into districts, each led by a District Deputy. Local courts report to their respective district deputies. There are more than 60 districts in the state of Texas. The state board of officers is elected at the Texas biennial convention held in the Spring of odd years. District deputies are appointed following state elections and are chosen based on prior service to Catholic Daughters. Training, guidance, policies and procedures exist at each of these levels to support each member on their successful leadership journey.
  Learn more about 2021 - 2023 Texas Leadership
  
  2021 - 2023 Texas State Officers
  
  In the summer following the election of new Texas State officers held at the biennial convention, the State hosts a multi-day leadership workshop, providing training to returning and newly appointed State Chairman and District Deputies. Pictures below are from the State Leadership Workshop held in August 2021 at the Circle Lake Retreat Center in Pinehurst, Texas. The next State Leadership conference is planned for the summer of 2023.
  
  The Texas board compiles an extensive manual of Texas specific guidelines and leader contact data into the Texas Information Notebook (TXIN). In order to protect the personal data of its leaders, the TXIN in its digital form is maintained on a password protected page. The State Regent makes the password available to all Texas CDA members.
- Circle of Love Legislation
  CDA members are encouraged to particpate in the democratic process by staying informed on public issues, addressing the morals and human dimension, while supporting church teaching on human life, human rights, justice and peace. Activities in this area support voter registration and voting. Courts, aware of legislative issues, encourage individuals to voice their opionions with their congressmen. Courts can stay informed by inviting guest speakers to their meetings.
  
  Operation Morning Star is a program of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas to Our Lady under her title Morning Star, to encourage Catholic women to speak out in the legislative arena. Learn more about Morning Star legislation efforts...
  
  Catholic Daughters’ Guidelines on Election Politics
  
  Catholic Daughters of the Americas is a 501(c)(3) institution qualifying for Internal Revenue tax-exempt status. Therefore, no one speaking on behalf of Catholic Daughters may encourage or discourage voting for or against a specific political party or candidate. CDA national, state and local courts do, however, take stands on issues. All members should be encouraged to participate in the election process.
- Circle of Love Quality of Life
  We are called to reach out with compassion and support, to be helping hands where there is pain, poverty, sorrow and sickness. In this area Catholic Daughters feed the poor, provide support to immigrants, visit nursing homes, provide support for maternity homes as just a few examples. Each term the Texas Court pairs with Habitat for Humanity to build a family home. In 2022, Texas began building its 10th home in Angleton, TX (pictured below). Visit the Texas Habitat for Humanity House Build archives to learn about previous houses.
  
  Texas CDA Habitat House, Angleton, TX
  
  The Texas Missions of Mercy (MOMS) project provides assistance to those in need across Texas. Texas Catholic Daughters get together to raise funds to send to MOMS projects at its biennial Pray and Play event, most recently held in February 2022. The Convention Walk Run event is another way Texas Catholic Daughters generate funds to support MOMS projects. Visit the MOMS project page to learn more about current projects.
  
  2021 Walk Run Participants, Texarkana Convention
  
  The Texas Respect Life project provides monthly ideas for courts to define projects to improve the lives of others. Visit the Respect Life page to learn more.
- Circle of Love Spiritual Enhancement
  Through the spiritual program in each local and state court, Catholic Daughters help members to nourish and develop relationships with God. Out of those developing relationships comes the realization of God's love and everlasting mercy, and because of that realization, the desire to serve Him by serving His people grows. Service, then, becomes the way to witness faith and share God's love with a hurting world. Because of His guidance and support, we can serve with joy and faithfulness.
  
  In the area of Spiritual Enhancement members participate together in prayer, days of retreat and reflection and Catholic liturgies together. Through their rich legacy of ceremonials, Catholic Daughters cherish and pray for their members both living and deceased.
  
  The Texas CDA Facebook group hosts numerous spiritual events, including the Rosaries Across Texas project led by State Chairmen and District Deputies and First Friday Memorial Masses celebrated by State Chaplain Father Victor Perez.
- Circle of Love Youth/JCDA
  The promise of tomorrow lives in the youth of today for they will be the leaders, the citizens, and the church of tomorrow. It is the mission of the JCDA/Youth Program to nurture personal and spiritual growth, to promote service to others, and to foster an awareness and appreciation of diversity through a variety of suggested activities and experiences. CDA youth programs support the parish youth programs and scholarships.
  
  The Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas (JCDA) program is for Catholic girls from 6 to 18 years of age. The goals and objectives of the JCDA program are divided into a Threefold Program of: Message; Service; and Community. JCDA courts elect youth officers as the local and state level, providing youth leadership opportunites. A JCDA state convention is held in the summer of odd numbered years. Each JCDA court is sponsored by an adult Catholic Daughters court and mentored by an adult chairman. Learn more about Texas JCDA ...
  
  In 2023, Texas CDA provided online registration and donor pages for the JCDA convention planned for June 2023 in Round Rock, TX.