In 1924 Calvin Coolidge was president of the United States. A postage stamp cost 2 cents, and a gallon of gas was 11 cents.

It was also the year the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Vermont State Court was founded.

To celebrate the milestone, more than 40 women from Vermont’s five CDA courts gathered May 4 at St. Norbert Church in Hardwick to celebrate with prayer, speakers, a turkey dinner, a photo booth, and games. Their chaplain, Father Patrick Forman, celebrated an afternoon Mass to conclude the gathering.

Vermont State Regent Lorraine Durfee lead the women in prayer for past, present, and future members of the organization as she lit a candle for each group mentioned.

She led members in renewing their pledge to dedicate themselves to the work of the organization and to foster unity and charity among all men and women.

In a letter, National Regent Elect Susan Mone told the Vermont women that it took vision, faith in God, and trust in the women who would follow in their footsteps to continue in the traditions of the Catholic Daughters when the Vermont state group was formed 100 years ago. She encouraged them to take pride in what they have accomplished and the difference they have made in “many lives as you have served the Lord as His hands and feet.”

Vermont Catholic Daughters are involved in numerous local, national, and international charitable works and once operated a Junior Catholic Daughters camp experience in the Mallets Bay section of Colchester.

Judy Smith of Court St. Mary in St. Albans has been a Catholic Daughter for 57 years, the longest of any of the women at the centennial celebration. “It’s a friendship of like-minded women who want to praise the Lord and show other people what faith can do. Our ultimate goal is to help each other save our souls,” she said.

Gertrude Barnes of Court St. Veronica in Hardwick likes meeting people and “doing service for the Church and others.”

Pat Robinson of Court St. Monica in Barre enjoys being part of a large organization with other women who share her religious beliefs.

Father Forman has been the Vermont CDA chaplain for 32 years and has experienced the impact of women coming together on local, state, and national levels as they share their faith, encouragement, wisdom, talents, and prayers “to bring a strong witness of Christ’s presence to the world.”