A Brief History of St. Teresa?s Sodality Council
Under the leadership of the late Father James H. Sullivan, St. Teresa?s Sodality Council was organized in the spring of 1952.
First, we started with a meeting in the church to which all women of the parish at least eighteen years of age were invited. The women were very enthusiastic and the church was nearly filled with women of all ages on that Sunday afternoon. The following officers were elected. President: Mrs. Althea (White) Hackett, Vice-President: Mrs. Pricilla Pooler, Secretary: Mrs. Evelyn O?Connor and Treasurer: Mrs. Helen Mayo.
The officers had several meetings with Father Sullivan in the rectory for the purpose of drafting our Constitution and By-laws. At our first formal meeting in June of 1952, the proposed Constitution and By-laws were adopted. Also, as recommended by Father Sullivan, it was voted that we become affiliated with the Maine Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. The objectives of our organization, as stated in our Constitution are "to promote Catholic ideals in religion, and education and social justice".
In the beginning we had about 150 members. We received Corporate Communion on the first Sunday of each month and meetings were held on the following Wednesday. Each meeting is opened with the recitation of the Rosary and closed with the Memorare. Also, Our Lady?s Committee gives a short spiritual reading.
At the time of our organization, our church was only six years old and the parish was in need of financial assistance. It was decided to try to earn some money by having parish suppers. Many of these suppers were headed by Sodalists and all helped in one way or another along with the help of many parishioners. The suppers proved to be successful, both financially and socially. The Sodality donated the large stainless steel kettles, a complete set of stainless steel flatware, large serving bowls and pitchers, and dishtowels to be used for these suppers.
From the beginning, we have donated money for altar flowers for the Christmas and Easter seasons, and have made personal visits and gifts to all shut-ins of the parish during these seasons. For a time, the Couples Club assisted us in our shut-in program and when that club was disbanded, their treasury of $130 was turned over to the Sodality. During our early years, we gave practically all of the money left in the treasury at the end of the year to our pastor for general church purposes.
After Father Joseph E. Houlihan was appointed our pastor in 1959, the parish suppers were continued and proceeds used to help the needy of the parish. We donated $100 to this cause.
In 1963, the sanctuary was renovated, and the stature of Our Blessed Mother was a gift from the Sodality. We, also, donated a ciborium with jade stem and an antependium. While St. Teresa?s School was in session, we sponsored Girl Scout troops and made gifts or food and money to the Sisters during the Holiday Season. Also, we donated a vacuum to the convent.
When Father John Carlson was made assistant to Father Houlihan, he was our spiritual advisor. After his illness, Father Donald Jacques was at St. Teresa?s for a short time. During that period, we donated $200 to the funeral fund of the parish.
We continued to serve under Father Thomas J. Joyce, Father Harold Moreshead, Father Joseph Whitlock, Father Renald D. Labarre, Father Royal J. Parent and Father Rudolph J. Leveille.
In 1973, under Father Moreshead, a parish retreat was held: "Movement for a Better World". Sodality members solicited and served the refreshments for this retreat, including one sit-down supper. During Father Moreshead?s pastorate, we donated stainless steel flatware, service for twelve, for the rectory.
Two of our pastors celebrated their Silver Jubilee while in our parish: Rev. Joseph E. Houlihan on June 15, 1960 and Rev. Thomas J. Joyce on May 26, 1970. Sodality members took an active part in these celebrations.
In the past, St. Teresa?s Sodality Council set up a fund to make a gift to the new St. Mary?s Church at the appropriate time. Another ongoing project had been to serve a breakfast to the First Communion class and their parents.
Our money has been earned by having rummage sales, card parties and, our chief source of income, the annual Christmas Fair and Raffle which became a parish fundraiser in 1987.
In recent years, it being the mind of the church that families worship and receive the Eucharist together, we have had to give up our Corporate Communions. We have made some other minor changes to go along with the times, but basically, our goals are still the same, and under the guidance of our Spiritual Director, Father Joel Cyr, we hope to continue and deepen our participation in the spiritual and social activities of our parish.
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