Our Lady’s Guild began in 1974 when two women talked with their Pastor, Fr. Doran, about establishing a church group at Our Lady of Joy Parish. Their first evening meeting brought 35 people together (both men and women) to organize it. Their very first project was a bazaar which netted $300. This amount was used to purchase a hospital bed for the Community Loan Closet.
Other events in the early years included Christmas dinner dances at the Carefree Inn which were social non-profit affairs in which the entire community was invited.
Funds were raised primarily through bake sales and bazaars and the funds were used to purchase various items for the parish: vestments for the pastor, Mass missals every quarter, film projector, altar flowers, education supplies for the children’s Religious Education Program, including books and music records. Funds were also used for repair of church organ, monthly coffees after Mass, refreshments for children’s sacramental preparation programs, meetings, and seminars.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of Our Lady’s Guild. As Glee Wilkinson, President 1983-84, said: “We’ve come a long way since the first Guild meeting in 1974. The two women who were responsible for initiating and organizing the “Guild” were Hildreth Olsen and Mary Lauer. We owe them a great deal for giving us our fine beginnings. “
( information taken from church bulletin Jan. 1984.)
