President’s Message
“A Sister is a gift to the heart and a friend to the spirit.”
My Sisters in Harford County, Division 1 make my heart and soul happy! We are a caring,
generous, loving group of women bonded by our Catholic faith, Irish heritage and desire to help others.
Founded in 1986 we remain one of the most active divisions in the state of Maryland. I doubt that any division can boast of having four State Presidents and two National Life members. Many of our ladies have taken other leadership roles on State Board Committees. But it is in the Division where we see our motto of Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity in constant action.
Over the years, we have sponsored concerts, Irish ceilis, bingos, luncheons, trips to Williamsburg, and the Hagley Museum. Other events include a dinner cruise on the Spirit of Baltimore, wine tastings, comedy nights, a Preakness event, fashion show, team trivia and much more.
Our chief and most memorable Catholic Action project has been the annual “Shut-In Dinner” following the Healing Mass at St. Mark’s Church when we worked together to provide a complete Thanksgiving dinner for those suffering from serious illness or just in need of spiritual healing. This event was a wonderful time of sharing and of renewing friendships in the spirit of helping others.
Noteworthy charitable contributions include donations to numerous State Board charities as well as the Columban Fathers and Columban Sisters, both of which are LAOH national charities. For the community of Harford County, we have donated to Anna’s House, SARC (Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center) the Empty Stocking Fund, Harford Family House, Birthright of Bel Air, St. Mark’s Church, Boy Scout Troop #4513 (special needs), and have given several thousand dollars raised by our Celtic Christmas Concerts to the Welcome One Homeless Services. Other donations include the Irish Railroad Workers Museum in Baltimore. In 2005 we partnered with the St. Patrick’s Chapel Historical Society and helped to raise over $10,000 for the restoration of the Chapel located in Cecil County. We have donated several liturgical items to the Chapel and we furnish flowers for the seasonal Masses. Our scope of giving has been broad, and has included many other charities; among them, Smile Train and the Catholic Relief Services.
We invite you to join us. New members and new ideas keep us moving forward!
Kathy Lay, President
Division Officers
- President: Kathy Lay
- Vice-President: Betty Weiderhold
- Recording Secretary: Carole Franz
- Financial Secretary: vacant
- Treasurer: Claudia Beresch
- Irish Historian: Patricia Potler
- Missions and Charities: Eileen Verch
- Catholic Action: Christine Brown
- Mistress at Arms: Beth Lund
- Sentinel: Dorthy Orndorff