Catholic Woman's League promotes spirituality and offers philanthropy in the Salt Lake diocese

Friday, Mar. 13, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — The Catholic Woman’s League (CWL) was established in the Diocese of Salt Lake City in 1916. Emma McCornick Bird was the organization’s first president, serving from 1916 to 1928.

Early in its history, the CWL members worked to serve the unemployed, prison inmates, homeless children and youth in the juvenile court system. The women also supported St. Ann’s Orphanage with annual teas; now membership teas help sponsor girls at Girls’ State.

CWL, which is affiliated with the diocesan Council of Catholic Women, is a Utah nonprofit that “works for the interest of Christ, promotes spirituality based on the principles of our Catholic faith, advances literary and educational interests and assists in philanthropic efforts for the welfare of our community,” according to the organization’s mission statement.

The organization’s biggest event each year is the Benefit Luncheon, with which they raise funds for charitable organizations in Utah.

This event is usually held in the fall; proceeds are distributed among charities that apply and are selected as recipients. Among the many organizations that have benefited from the luncheon in the past are the Senior Charity Care Foundation, formerly known as the Saint Joseph Villa Charity Care Fund, which provides financial assistance to those in senior care settings who are in need; Race Swami, a swim team for underserved youth living on the west side of Salt Lake City; Saint Mary Parish’s Gabriel Project, which ministers to pregnant women in need; and Catholic Community Services of Northern Utah.

During the spring the CWL starts accepting applications for the beneficiaries of the luncheon; the applicants must be nonprofit organizations that operate in Utah. 

After the applications are collected, they are presented at a CWL board meeting, said Lydia Farnell, advisor and past president advisor of the Catholic Woman’s League.

To select the beneficiaries, the CWL committee first sends letters to different programs. “We ask if they would like us to consider them as possible beneficiaries for our luncheon,” said Cheryl Johnson, luncheon chairperson.

Officials from those programs wishing to be considered then fill out a form narrating why they should be selected.

“We pick two [each year] that we think would be the best for what we are doing,” said Johnson.

During the selection process the organizations that submit applications do not make any type of presentation of the services that they provide.

“They just give a description in the application, and based on that information we make the selection,” Farnell said, adding that CWL typically receives 10 to 12 beneficiaries applications each year; after reviewing the applications, the CWL board members cast ballots to determine which applications will be selected for funding.

At the Annual Benefit Luncheon, the beneficiaries are recognized. The event also includes a fashion show.

The Most Reverend John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, more than once has expressed his gratitude to CWL members. They bring “the hope of the risen Christ, and this sense of faith, and the reality of Christ’s body and blood to our world. You women are wonderful and a tremendous advertisement for the faith in our Diocese of Salt Lake City. Keep doing what you’re doing, and doing it as well as you do,” he said at the 2013 luncheon.

Every year CWL also celebrates an Annual Membership Tea, which this year will be March 22. (See box.) All women in the diocese are invited. 

WHAT: Catholic Woman’s League of Utah Annual Membership Tea 

WHEN: March 22, 2-4 p.m.

WHERE: Saint Vincent de Paul Parish, 1375 E. Spring Lane, SLC

All women in the diocese are invited.