CWL luncheon benefits two local nonprofits

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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Catholic Woman's League President Linda Burt speaks at the 2019 Fall Tapestry luncheon, held Oct. 12 at the Little America Hotel.

SALT LAKE CITY — Women from throughout the Diocese of Salt Lake City gathered at the Little America Hotel Oct. 12 for fellowship and charity during the Catholic Woman’s League’s 2019 Fall Tapestry benefit luncheon.  

Before giving the blessing, Bishop Oscar A. Solis complimented the women, telling them, “You’re full of love for God, for the Church, and for people in need.”

He also commended them for the “wonderful work of charity that the Catholic Woman’s League has been doing for ages. You are the epitome of what service means in terms of the role of women in our Church and in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.”

The bishop thanked the members of the organization, saying, “you do not only make a difference in the lives of the poor, you are a beacon of hope in our world, for people to know the presence of God in our midst by your love and compassion for one another.”

In his prayer before the blessing, Bishop Solis asked that God would continue to inspire the women “so that they may remain steadfast in their commitment to making you present in the lives of those who need your love.”

The nonprofit Catholic Woman’s League was established in 1916 under the direction of the Right Rev. Joseph S. Glass, second Bishop of Salt Lake City. Each fall they sponsor a luncheon to benefit two local nonprofits. This year, the beneficiaries were Lost and Found Ministries in Helper and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ogden.

Lost and Found is a non-denominational Christian organization that ministers to people with addiction. Since it opened in December 2017, proceeds from its secondhand store have sent 62 people through treatment.

In thanking the CWL for the grant, the organization’s director, David Safford, said, “At Lost and Found we don’t treat powerlessness, hopelessness, we preach victory through Christ and so we understand that the opposite of addiction is connection, and it’s not only connecting with others who struggle with the same things that we struggle with, but connecting with our Lord.”

St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ogden is “an inner-city parish, where a large portion of the population in poverty begs at the door of the church, especially on Sunday,” said Judy Franklin, the parish’s office manager.

Rather than duplicate the services already provided to those in need by various organizations such as Catholic Community Services in Weber County, the parish offers clothing, bus tokens, gas vouchers, hygiene kits and, “with this grant we’ll be able to offer prescription help” in conjunction with a local clinic, Franklin said.

“St. Joseph is trying to do our part in helping our community,” she added as she thanked the CWL.