Catholic Woman's League holds benefit luncheon

Intermountain Catholic

+ Enlarge

SALT LAKE CITY — "I want to affirm the love of the Church the Catholic Woman’s League has as you reach out in service in so many ways," said newly appointed Diocesan Administrator Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald. "This is my first public ceremony as the new administrator."

Msgr. Fitzgerald gave the blessing at the Catholic Woman’s League Annual Benefit Luncheon Feb. 18, at Little America Hotel, Salt Lake City.

"Pope Benedict XVI gave a talk a couple of weeks ago, and he said the love of the Church, the love of Christ, is made manifest by the compassionate women of the Church who reach out in service," said Msgr. Fitzgerald. "You are so many examples of people who reach out, and so often in hidden ways. We thank you for that because our Church is enriched by that power.

"The Holy Father says that is an integral power within the heart that generates tremendous light wherever the carriers of Christ’s light go," said Msgr. Fitzgerald, "and you are those carriers. Thank you for that and for service you render in so many ways throughout the Diocese of Salt Lake City."

Msgr. Fitzgerald said he was a little disappointed he was not selected to be a model in the fashion show presented at the luncheon by Coldwater Creek. Models were selected from parishes throughout the diocese.

Proceeds from this year’s luncheon will be divided equally between the Assistance League of Salt Lake City for their Operation School Bell Program and Our Lady of Lourdes School, Salt Lake City. Operation School Bell provides underprivileged children with back-to-school clothes. Last November, their building was flooded and they lost clothing for about 400 students, although the program serves more than 1,000 children. Operation School Bell also lost layettes they had prepared for 2006 for newborn babies being born into poverty.

The money Our Lady of Lourdes School receives will be used in the science program to purchase textbooks. The student population is comprised of many cultures, all socio-economic backgrounds, and many faith traditions. In this regard, the school has been called "The school where everybody is somebody."