What is Circle of Love?
The “CIRCLE OF LOVE” program portions of this Web site are gathered to assist Catholic Daughters in working with the Church and community. We are indeed very aware of the needs in society that are deeply affecting today’s generation, the elderly and human life. To be effective in promoting good works, we must reach out and make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering, whether it be through their own fault or the circumstances in which they find themselves. If we are to be “Jesus hands and feet” as is pledged in the Act of Consecration during the Installation Ceremony, then we must use the talents He gave us, become educated in new fields, volunteer our services and financial assistance where needed.
Love is not meant be kept–it is mean to be shared. When we serve others with love, we inspire them to do the same for someone else. One act of kindness can ripple outward, touching many live in ways we may never even see. A smile, a helping hand, a word of encouragement–these may seem small, but in the great Circle of Love, they become part of something much bigger than ourselves.
There are seven points to the wheel
The seven points selected indicate the needs of the Church and community best served by the Catholic Daughters. The program itemizes these needs with suggestions on how Catholic Daughters can effectively serve. The seven points of the program Leadership, Legislation, Quality of Life, Spiritual Enhancement, Youth/JCDA, Education and Family are bound together by Love. Each Court selects programs they feel will serve the needs of the community they serve, a way to make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering around them.
Education
Education should encompass programs or activities that help members learn about the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA), its history, charitable projects, supported charities, and the various programs represented by the spokes of the Circle of Love. These may include topics of a spiritual nature, safety awareness, and medical concerns. What project has your court undertaken to educate its members or the broader community about the CDA, the Catholic faith, or local community issues?
Family
Courts should strive to strengthen family relationships by engaging with families in meaningful ways. Family-related projects should include programs or activities that support and uplift families. These may focus on the nuclear family, or even our broader national family–praying together, working together, and playing together. What project has your court undertaken to strengthen family relations?
Leadership
One of the goals of the CDA is to prepare women to assume positions of leadership in their courts, states, dioceses, and local communities. To succeed in these roles, women need the knowledge, tools, and opportunities to develop leadership skills. Members should be encouraged and supported in practicing leadership through various court activities. What project has your court undertaken that to encourage members to step us as leaders?
Legislation
As Catholic Daughters, we are called to be informed and active participants in public life. This includes staying educated on current issues, addressing moral and human concerns, and supporting the Church’s teachings on life, human rights, justice, and peace. What project has your court undertaken to inform others on issues of legislation or to impact legislative issues?
Quality of Life
Quality of Life (Social Awareness) issues lie at the heart of our ministry to those in need. We are called to reach out with compassion and offer support–to be helping hands where there is pain, poverty, sorrow, or sickness. Throughout history, women have taken the lead in learning about and responding to social justice issues affecting families, neighborhoods, communities, and the world. What project has your court undertaken to minister to the needs of others in your court, parish, community, or the wider world?
Spiritual Enhancement
The spiritual program in each local and state court plays a vital role in helping members grow in their relationship with God. It’s essential that the Spiritual Enhancement Program nurtures a sense of true sisterhood among members–reminding them that they must first be church to one another before they can be church to others. What project has your court undertaken to spiritually enhance your members or to help them grow in sisterhood and faith?
Youth
By responding to the needs of today’s youth, we help shape a better tomorrow. Every court can contribute to the goals of the Youth Program by sponsoring, supporting, or participating in a least one youth activity. This can be done through collaboration with parish or community youth ministries, social action groups, schools, or by sponsoring a Junior CDA Court. What is one youth activity your court sponsors or participates in?
*This information is from the Summer 2026 edition of the National Quarterly newsletter.