The St. Patrick-St. Anthony Ladies Guild, founded in 1938, takes the Blessed Virgin Mary as their model of Christian discipleship.
The Ladies Guild serves the parish through a variety of programs and projects (e.g., making baptismal garments for children baptized in our parish; and awarding annual scholarships to parish students attending Catholic elementary, middle, and high schools).
These programs and projects are supported by memorial donations as well as spring and fall fundraising events. In addition, the Ladies Guild hosts a variety of spiritual events for its members and parishioners, including our traditional May Crowning.
Did you know that the Ladies Guild has given $77,375 of scholarships to children in the parish since 2003?
Ladies Guild History
1938: Following a May, 1938 novena service to Saint Theresa ,the Little Flower, four devout parishioners of St. Anthony’s Church—Bea DeLeo, Anna Guerrerio, Minnie Miano and Olive Pinto—met at Casa Maria, across from the Rectory. Conversation led to the organization, formation and first official meeting of The St. Anthony Church Ladies Guild. Upon hearing the good news, Father Andrew Kelly, Pastor, was pleased and blessed the endeavors of these ladies of vision.
WWII: The Guild’s growth was rapid and numbered 500 during the war years. Devotion to faith and the needs of the Church and its soon-to-be started parish school were strong.
1944: Sister Mary Patti and four Sisters Fillipini arrived in St. Anthony Parish to open and to run the parish school at Casa Maria. To launch the Sisters in their new home, which was located adjacent to the Catholic Lending Library, the Ladies Guild held a pantry shower. The household needs of the Sisters were met with abundance. Once furnished and ready for occupancy, Father Kelly blessed the new dwelling, including Market Street in front of the Convent.
Fund-raising activities to support the school were many during these trying years of depression and war. Rummage sales, card parties, spaghetti suppers, bazaars, raffles, variety and fashion shows, house parties provided for social and financial benefits.
Baptismal Robes: From early on The Ladies Guild has provided baptismal robes for the Baptism of all newborns of the parish. After an absence of thirty years, this tradition has its rebirth in the year 2000 and continues today. Current member, Sylvia Pappalardo continues to provide robes having learned how to make them from her mother who was also a member of the Guild. The robes are then given to members to finish by hand hemming them.
1958: In 1957, Archbishop Henry O’Brien proposed the merger of the two parishes. As St. Anthony Parish disappeared in the dust of urban renewal, its parishioners and programs moved to St. Patrick’s and on October 25, 1958, St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish became official.
1990: The parish took on a new mission in 1990 when Archbishop John Whealon asked the Order of Friars Minor, the Franciscans, to take over the church as part of their ministry to the poor and marginalized in urban areas.
Bylaws: In 1997, the Guild revised its Bylaws to include membership categories of Life, Honorary, Regular and Junior members. Meetings and committees were restructured, subsequently again in 2015, to reflect the practices of the Guild.
The Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry: With the opening of the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry in 2000, the Guild was able to expand its many events, including craft and bake sales, annual meetings and other events throughout year.
Gaelic & Garlic Pasta Feast: In 2011, the Guild wanted to bring back our fantastic pasta dinners from the 1930’s to 1950’s. In conjunction with the Women of Hope Ministry, the Gaelic and Garlic Pasta Feast was initiated. More than 400 parishioners and friends feasted on Italian fare, cooked by Sebastian Kolodziej, chef at the House of Bread and his staff. Our Confirmation candidates served the meals. Local Irish dancers provided the entertainment for both seating’s. This event continues on a bi-annual basis. Since generous donations from businesses, parishioners and members for all costs for food and supplies, we are able to realize a 100% profit. This has continued to the present. The Confirmation Candidates and the Ladies Guild will continue with the next G&G event planned for March 2019.
Annual Spring Basket Bazaar: An old fashion Tea Cup Auction, this event is a highlight of the spring. Baskets and other items are donated by each of St. Patrick– St. Anthony Ministry, our parishioners and various businesses. All proceeds from this event help with funding for the Reverend Dawson D. Trenchard Scholarship Fund as well as Catherine’s Place, our Sister Parish in Haiti, The House of Bread and other Franciscan Center Ministries.
Scholarships: In 2002, former Chaplain, Reverend Dawson D. Trenchard, a champion of education, passed away. To honor his loving memory, the Ladies Guild introduced an annual scholarship to be awarded to a deserving parish member entering or attending a Catholic school. Since 2003, 132 awards, over $59,000, have been granted to deserving parish students.
Ladies Guild Bake Sale: The Ladies Guild Bake Sale is a tradition in the Fall of each year in November. In 2017, we reintroduced our Christmas Corner mini tea cup auction and craft sale.
The Christmas Corner Crafts and Teacup Auction: Reintroduced in the Fall of 2017, The Christmas Corner Craft Sale coincides with our fall bake sale and is the kick off of the mini teacup auction. Winners are drawn during the Annual Ladies Guild Christmas Party held each year in early December.
Chaplains: Starting with Rev. Andrew Kelly, we have had nine Chaplains. Each one with special qualities helping the Ladies Guild become what it is today. Fr. Ricco, for instance, loved the guild and its work, even embracing the Fashion Shows. Fr. Jerome “delicately” forged the new path incorporating the Guild in the Franciscan way. Fr. Jim was always present, Fr. John quietly moved us in the right directions and current Chaplain, Fr. Cid, brings Our Mother Mary into the forefront.
We now hover around 100 members.Our faith in Our Lady of Perpetual Help continues to call us to service in our Parish and community. We continue the traditions forged in 1938 and look forward to what the future holds.
