Catholic Daughters of the Americas ®
Court St. Rita #409 - Perham, MN
Catholic Daughters of the Americas® is the largest organization of Catholic women in the Americas. It is comprised of Catholic women 18 years of age and older. Under the Patroness of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is an extraordinary organization with the dual purpose of spirituality and service. Our local CDA Court, Court St. Rita # 409, is the 3rd oldest Court in the state of Minnesota. They celebrated their 100th Anniversary in September of 2019. They meet the 1st Tuesday of the month (Sept – June) at 7:00 pm. For more information, contact Regent Leanne Stoll at dstoll34@gmail.com.
Motto: Unity and Charity
Patroness: Blessed Virgin Mary
MISSION STATEMENT
Catholic Daughters of the Americas® strives
to embrace the principle of faith working
through love in the promotion of justice, equality and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all.
Officers
Regent: Leanne Stoll Email Leanne
Vice Regent: Lynn Schwanke
Treasurer: Rosie Altstadt
Financial Secretary: Pat Hager
Recording Secretary: Dianne Rohde-Szarke
Chaplain: Father Omar Guanchez
Membership Chairperson: Contact Regent Leanne Stoll Email Leanne
Newsletter Editor: Rachel Poser
District Deputy: Charlene Dunn
Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas®
The local Catholic Daughters of the Americas®, Court St. Rita #409, sponsors a Junior Catholic Daughters Court, Court St. Teresa of Calcutta, which includes St. Henry’s and the three surrounding parishes. JCDA is a unique organization that is open to Catholic girls, ages 6-18.
JCDA brings girls together for friendship, faith and action to make a positive difference in the community. The goals of JCDA are Message (Faith), Service (Helping Others), and Community (Friendship). To express interest in joining or helping, contact Rachel Poser at daisey28@hotmail.com.
Who are the Catholic Daughters
of the Americas®?
COURT ST. RITA #409
SUPPORTS ALL THESE
NATIONAL PROJECTS & CHARITIES
National CDA Projects: The Laboure Society, Habitat for Humanity, Holy Cross Family Ministries, National Center on Sexual Exploitation, S.O.A.R (Support our Aging Religious)
8 Charities endorsed by National CDA: Apostleship of the Sea, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Catholic Extension, Catholic Relief Services, Disaster Relief Fund, Human Life International, Missionaries of Charity, North American College-Rome, Victory Junction
THE CATHOLIC
DAUGHTERS OF THE
AMERICAS®
PROCLAMATION
COURT HAPPENINGS
"Aloha"
56th Style Show
October 25th, 2025
Court St. Rita #409 held their 56th Style Show fundraiser October 25, 2025. Funds raised at the event help them support many local charities. Styles for the show came from Perham businesses. The catered brunch, show, silent auction, and wonderful door prizes make the morning a fun and relaxing event for guests to enjoy!
Many hours and dedication from our members go into this event. Plans are underway for a Christmas themed show in October of 2026.
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CDA Sunday
October 19, 2025
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As part of Domestic Violence Awareness month in October, donations were collected for Someplace Place, a non-profit that works to create a safer community in West Central MN.
Baccalaureate Mass
May 18, 2025
Divine Mercy Sunday
April 27, 2025
Approximately 150 worshippers gathered to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday on April 27, at St Henry's Church in Perham, MN. The gathering was hosted by Court St Rita #409 of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas based at St Henry's. The afternoon of prayer and reflection began at 1:00pm with the Exposition of the Consecrated Body of Christ, followed immediately by the reciting of the Stations of the Cross. There was quiet Adoration until 2:00pm when a Scriptural Rosary was led by CDA member Cathy Doll, followed by more quiet Adoration.
At 3:00pm The Holy Hour of Divine Mercy began.
The service ended with Prayers of Thanksgiving and the Reposition of the Consecrated Body of Christ. During these 3 hours of prayer and adoration, confessions were being heard.
The Catholic Daughters of Court St Rita would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who participated and helped us put together this beautiful day of prayer.
Education Contest 2026
Court St. Rita #409 sponsored the Catholic Daughters National Education Contest again this year. Local 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners were presented with their awards Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The first place winning entries were sent for State judging and those placing first will be sent to National. Congratulations to all of the winners!
2026 Catholic Daughters National Education Contest Local Winners
Division 1 (Grade 4-5)
Art
1st Place – Stella Stoderl
2nd Place – Chase Schmitz
3rd Place – Audrey Bell
Computer Art
1st Place – Avery Stoll
2nd Place – Elizabeth Maijala
3rd Place – Sawyer Wells
Essay
1st Place – Elizabeth Maijala
Division 2 (Grade 6-7-8)
Art
1st Place – Peter Beutler
2nd Place – Adalyn Prchal
3rd Place – Kendall Schmitz
Computer Art
1st Place – Cassidee Sazama
2nd Place – Kendall Schmitz
3rd Place – Harper Kalina
Essay
1st Place – Kendall Schmitz
2nd Place – Mila Aschnewitz
3rd Place – Maria Bell
Poetry
1st Place – Maria Bell
2nd Place – Kendall Schmitz
3rd Place – Harper Kalina
Photography
1st Place – Maria Bell
Thank you to all who participated! Just a couple notes about the judging process. Catholic Daughters members cannot be judges. Perham community members who have expertise in the different categories have judged the entries.
education
contest
Education Contest 2026
Slideshow of Submissions (click arrow to view all)
Celebration of Life Mass
January 23, 2025
Father Omar, Regent Leanne Stoll, Joan Guck, Judy Christopherson, Samantha Schroeder holding baby Alex, and Scott Schroeder at the Celebration of Life Mass on January 23 at St. Henry's.
Since 1987, the Catholic Daughters have organized a yearly Celebration of Life Mass. This year it was held on Thursday, January 23, 2025 during the children's mass at 8:45 a.m.
Samantha Schroeder and family represented new life and Joan Guck represented mature life. They carried up the gifts with a bouquet of flowers. The flowers were placed at the entrance by the Blessed Mother statue after Mass. Fr. Omar thought then all could enjoy them when entering.
Lynn Schwanke designed these name tags, which were worn by those who attended the Celebration of Life Mass
Court St. Rita
State Awards 2025
