When St. Elizabeth parish was established after Vatican II, women with young and growing families, formed the Ladies Auxiliary to help pay the mortgage. In order to raise funds, the ladies held many events such as the canteen at the weekly Bingo nights, monthly Bake Sales, the fall Bazaars, Paint nights, cookie tray sales, Garage Sales, and the occasional Pancake Breakfast. We often offer our help when other church groups hold events such as the BBQ’s and Chili Cook-Offs. But we are not only about raising funds for the different needs. We are also trying to make a place where all our parishioners can come together over a cup of coffee or tea and get to know each other, to build a strong, friendly community. Our ladies use their many gifts and talents to help in different ways. Some members are involved in the spiritual life of the parish, serving as Readers or Eucharistic Ministers at Mass; some are choir members; some have served as Sacristans. Some bring Communion to those unable to come to Church. They take care of the altar cloths, the candles and the banners. A group of Ladies gather to knit or crochet the white blankets for children being baptized or make coloured shawls or wraps for the sick. Some members helped lead the Way of the Cross service during Lent. Some of the ladies come together to decorate the Church for the different Liturgical seasons or feast days. The Ladies Auxiliary hold a reception for the children receiving their different Sacraments and for their families. We want them and their families to know they belong. Some of our members are active with the Church’s Pro-Life movement. Some use their talent to make our advertising posters for our different projects. Members sort the food for the Caldwell Food Bank or organize our Christmas Hampers for the three persons or families we sponsor each year. We also support Caldwell Community donating to their yearly Harvest of Hope Dinner and Auction Fundraiser. Others help beautify the Church grounds. We have helped financially support our young parishioners who have attended World Youth Day. We have spent many a day together making jam or filling up the Cookie Trays. We have 27 members with an average 16 who attend our meetings. Ladies can’t always attend so they help from home. They bake; knit or crochet; or make quilts or afghans or create lovely centrepieces to be donated for the bazaar. They make soups or sandwiches. Our members are a wonderful group of women, who share their time and talents with the parish. We have grown together as friends. We have fun togethers, teasing each other while performing the many tasks of raising funds and serving the parish. We pray for each other. We invite the women of the parish, young and not so young, to join us; to help out- but also to grow together as friends and companions as we serve St. Elizabeth parish. Don’t wait for the perfect time. Today is good.
Thank you.
Marlene Pignat
President
St. Elizabeth Ladies Auxiliary