Junior Daughters establishing foundation for the future

In a grassroots movement among some young ladies at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Pierre Part, a new Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court, Marie Pleine de Grace #2713, has been established.

“God moved in my life, and I wanted to be more active within our church but because of my age it restricted me,” said McKenzie McDaniel, who serves as president of the JCDA. “At the time I wanted to be a Junior Catholic Daughter but there wasn’t any such organization in Pierre Part.  

“I began talking with members of the Catholic Daughters and brought up the idea of Junior Catholic Daughters and how amazing it could potentially be. With that being said, my friends and I decided to go through with starting a JCDA chapter for the main reason of helping others see what servants of Christ truly are: doing everything through love is what Jesus would want us all to do.”

The JCDA members are becoming a closely-knit group as they work alongside peers who are likeminded in faith. Among the activities the young women have done so far are leading the rosary at St. Joseph as part of the national America Needs Fatima rosary in October and being actively involved in a trunk-or treat. They also helped provide food for those in need at Thanksgiving and are working on a Christmas Shoe Box project for children in need.

With a motto of “unity and charity,” the JCDA 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.”

Said Edi St. Germain, who serves as JCDA secretary, “I like JCDA specifically because it combines my passion for my religion with bonding experiences with other young women just like me. This is quite different from other organizations I have been a part of because most try not to practice religion because of their religious differences in the group.”

Through the JCDA, youth can experience the enjoyment that comes with helping people in and outside of their community not only for the people but for God, said McDaniel. 

“Junior Catholic Daughters gives kids the opportunity to get closer to God, create positivity within the people of our community and show others that we provide a service with love, without expecting anything in return,” she said.

A lot of responsibility lies within the group, McDaniel learned.

“Leadership isn’t just being the leader within the group; leadership leans more on the getting things put together and working in an orderly fashion. Showing others that we can all work together in order to start something new and productive,” she said.

Frustration arises when things may not always go as planned but it works out for the better, noted McDaniel.

“Leadership in JCDA is about guiding and walking together. It’s taking small lights and watching them become one spotlight,” she said

Though it is good when people recognize the accomplishments of JCDA members, McDaniel emphasized she wants the court to be a “guiding light within” that shines with the help and closeness of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. 

St. Germain enjoys the hands-on activities and serving with close friends she has made since joining the group. 

“One thing that has really touched me and gotten to me since I started with this organization is how close I have become with the other members. Not only are we friends in the organization, but we have become like a little family. We help each other out whenever it is needed and are always there for each other. This has helped each one of us personally grow together and grow stronger with God,” said Germain.

“Being a Junior Catholic Daughter has definitely opened my eyes and by far has moved me to better my relationship with God,” said McDaniel. “It has given me an inner happiness that I couldn’t find before. An inner peace.”

The members of the senior CDA expressed their joy at watching the youth flourish through the Junior Daughters.

“We would like to say how proud we are of the young ladies in our Junior Catholic Daughters Court,” said Wanda Oufnac, regent for the St. Joseph CDA. “These girls have stepped up to answer a Christian call. They are saying yes to our Lord through helping those in need.

“They are always willing to help. We are looking forward in watching them grow into beautiful ladies, and one day hopefully enter the senor court. I know they will be a great asset to St. Joseph the Worker community. What a great gift God has given to our community in these girls and this young court.”         

Through all of the charitable activities, the young women are re-igniting the flame of faith in the St. Joseph and Pierre Part community, said Alli Crochet, co-advisor of the CDA. 

“They are excited, they are really creating a stir in the community,” said Crochet. 

The youth are at “different places” in their lives but come together through a beautiful process, said Jenny St. Germain, also co-advisor of the Junior Daughters and mother of Edi St. Germain.

“Each bring their gifts and different viewpoints to the table. Some are open, some are shy. I enjoy seeing the creativity that happens as they pose ideas and resolve things with each other and come up with some really wonderful projects."