CDA activities and projects at the Local, State and National level are an extension of the vision, focus and creative commitment of the Circle of Love program. The seven points represent the needs of the Church and community best served by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas in the areas of: Education, Family, Leadership, Legislation, Quality of Life, Spiritual Enhancement, Youth/JCDA. This program binds Catholic Daughters of the Americas together in a common cause: members can support large scale projects at the national and state level and initiate projects in their communities. This program provides Local Courts with structure and flexibility to creatively minister to their nearest neighbors most effectively.

The Circle of Love information provided on the Florida State Website intends to assist Catholic Daughters in working with the Church and community. 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.

Local Courts are asked to select those portions of the program that their members feel comfortable working on in their area. Members need to experience fulfillment when the projects are completed. This can happen when courts are selective in choosing court programs.

Please research the National Projects and National Charities found via a link the Catholic Daughters National website to obtain more information for your local courts. Courts are invited to participate in state level projects and initiate their own projects based on local need and resources and abilities of the Local Court. Each Local Court should appoint a Circle of Love Chairman.   

Each year courts report on their Circle of Love projects to share ideas and recognize achievement. Local Courts submit projects accomplishments to the State Chairperson. Winners at this level represent outstanding accomplishment and those project reports are sent to the National level. Project winners are recognized at State and National conventions. Circle of Love reporting forms for Florida can be downloaded from the National Website.

Through the Circle of Love Program, there are many ways to help the CDA members acquire knowledge in different areas. Education is a key ingredient which significantly impacts the long-term success of our organization because through education members feel fulfilled and become resilient.
Education in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas courts can be accomplished by providing Scholarships, participating in the Education Contest offered at the National level, assisting in the Religious Education programs in the parishes, and promoting Literacy.
The Education Contest allows both youth and adults to participate in the various categories of Art, Computer Art, Poetry, Essay, Music, and Photography.
 

The goals for the Family spoke are: Supporting the role and dignity of the family and discerning ways the Church and society can renew a commitment to the family founded upon the marriage between a man and a woman. Activities in this area support unity and joy within the family unit. 

The dignity of human life is upheld from conception to natural death.

Leadership opportunities exist at the local, state, and national level, allowing women to build their leadership skills and make a great network of working friendships.  The state board of officers is elected at the Florida biennial convention held in the Spring of odd years. District deputies are appointed following state elections and are chosen based on prior service to Catholic Daughters. Training, guidance, policies, and procedures exist at each of these levels to support each member on their successful leadership journey.

CDA members are encouraged to participate in the democratic process by staying informed on public issues, addressing the morals and human dimension, while supporting church teaching on human life, human rights, justice, and peace. Activities in this area support voter registration and voting. Courts, aware of legislative issues, encourage individuals to voice their opinions with their congressmen. Courts can stay informed by inviting guest speakers to their meetings.

Operation Morning Star is a program of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas to Our Lady under her title Morning Star, to encourage Catholic women to speak out in the legislative arena. Learn more about Morning Star legislation efforts...

Catholic Daughters’ Guidelines on Election Politics

Catholic Daughters of the Americas is a 501(c)(3) institution qualifying for Internal Revenue tax-exempt status. Therefore, no one speaking on behalf of Catholic Daughters may encourage or discourage voting for or against a specific political party or candidate. CDA national, state, and local courts do, however, take stands on issues. All members should be encouraged to participate in the election process.

We are called to reach out with compassion and support, to be helping hands where there is pain, poverty, sorrow, and sickness. In this area Catholic Daughters feed the poor, provide support to immigrants, visit nursing homes, provide support for maternity homes as just a few examples. 

Through the spiritual program in each local and state court, Catholic Daughters help members to nourish and develop relationships with God. Out of those developing relationships comes the realization of God's love and everlasting mercy, and because of that realization, the desire to serve Him by serving His people grows. Service, then, becomes the way to witness faith and share God's love with a hurting world. Because of His guidance and support, we can serve with joy and faithfulness.

In the area of Spiritual Enhancement members participate together in prayer, days of retreat and reflection and Catholic liturgies together. Through their rich legacy of ceremonials, Catholic Daughters cherish and pray for their members both living and deceased. 

The promise of tomorrow lives in the youth of today for they will be the leaders, the citizens, and the church of tomorrow. It is the mission of the JCDA/Youth Program to nurture personal and spiritual growth, to promote service to others, and to foster an awareness and appreciation of diversity through a variety of suggested activities and experiences. CDA youth programs support parish youth programs and scholarships.

The Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas (JCDA) program is for Catholic girls from 6 to 18 years of age. The goals and objectives of the JCDA program are divided into a Threefold Program of: Message; Service; and Community. JCDA courts elect youth officers at the local and state level, providing youth leadership opportunities. A JCDA state convention is held in the summer of odd numbered years. Each JCDA court is sponsored by an adult Catholic Daughters court and mentored by an adult chairman.