St. Denis Women's Council starts in service to veterans, 100 years ago

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press

DOUGLAS – It started just after World War I – because of the war. And it’s still doing some of the same things, members discovered as they connected with their heritage.
St. Denis Catholic Women’s Council at St. Denis Parish is marking 100 years of existence with a Mass and banquet on Nov. 11, Veterans Day, after months of anniversary activities.
As the armistice went into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, World War I officially ended. Less that two weeks later – on Nov. 24, 1918 – the St. Denis branch of Catholic Women’s War Service Council was formally organized, with 140 members. Its aim: To help the veterans and their families.
According to Jeanne Bombara, today’s president, that’s still a major focus of the council, which claims 60 members, including 101-year-old Nancy Colonero, who’s been there 66 years. About 25 women regularly attend meetings, and more go to the parish fair and Christmas party, but young people aren’t joining.
To find out what the women’s group was like 100 years ago, Mrs. Bombara studied the minutes from the original meeting held at the old St. Denis Church. Much of what is recorded in the first book (1918 to 1925), is about services for children, such as Halloween parties and Christmas plays, she said. (She thinks they have all the minutes since the beginning.)
Mrs. Bombara has pored over the old minutes and photo albums, so the group could do similar things – if they weren’t already doing them, said Debra Yacino, vice president. To share what she had learned this anniversary year, Mrs. Bombara read excerpts from old minutes at the council’s meetings.  
Early projects included holding whist parties and bake sales to raise money for the Chaplain’s Aid, Servicemen’s Fund and National War Fund, sewing for servicemen and sending them cards, and holding clothing collections for war relief, she said.
In 1959 the council started a kindergarten, said Pamela Carter, who followed in her mother’s footsteps as council treasurer, and who went to the kindergarten in 1962.
“We really have connected with a lot of it,” Mrs. Bombara said.
Those women never knew the notoriety they’d get at the 100th anniversary, quipped Dolores Colonero, dubbed the group’s spiritual director.
“I wonder what we’ll get 100 years from now,” mused Judith Manyak, recording secretary.
“You feel connected with those women,” Mrs. Bombara said.
She noted that the first president was Julia Wixtead. “You read about her and you feel connected to her” as president. “She had to show a lot of courage to start something like this … in those days … 1918,” before women were allowed to vote.
“I pray for her,” she said. “I feel privileged to be part of this group and to know we’re helping. That’s so important – to keep our country safe. … People are putting their lives on the line for us.”
Council members put their time and energy on the line for veterans, and for others too.
“Our latest thing was shoeboxes for the soldiers,” Mrs. Bombara said.
Parishioners were asked to bring in donations, including snacks, games, magazines and hygiene items, according to Mrs. Yacino. Students in St. Denis’ faith formation program and at Our Lady of the Valley Elementary School in Uxbridge made cards. Council members took 317 pounds of items and 85 shoeboxes to Uxbridge Supports Our Troops, which will mail them to military personnel after the women’s council helps wrap the boxes in Christmas paper.
The council also collected items for Pease Greeters to give to military personnel leaving from or returning to Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire.
An anniversary project is raising money for the Veterans’ Gift Fund, which helps pay rent and heating bills for veterans in Douglas and nearby towns, Mrs. Yacino said.
Mrs. Bombara said that at their Nov. 11 banquet they’ll give that money to a representative from that agency and a donation to the Douglas Veterans of Foreign Wars.
“We’re inviting all veterans to come for free,” Mrs. Bombara said. Veterans from the parish and town have been sent invitations.
Also at the banquet, they’ll officially present St. Denis’ administrator, Father Juan D. Escudero, with three chalices and three patens – their anniversary gift to the parish – Mrs. Yacino said.
As members talked with The Catholic Free Press, another woman – from Father Escudero’s previous parish, St. Mary in Shrewsbury – brought knitted items for their Nov. 3 holiday fair.
Council members said they sponsor the fair that is a big fundraiser for parish and community projects; among them a new floor in the church hall and college scholarships for parishioners.
The council also distributes “something to acknowledge parents,” like prayer cards or pens, at church on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day each year, Mrs. Yacino said. And through their Mother’s Love Program they collect baby items for agencies that help women in need, Ms. Colonero said.
They participate in the parish giving tree, donating Christmas gifts for people who frequent the town food pantry, said Suzanne Carrier, corresponding secretary.
Since 1984 they’ve prepared and served the parish seder, Mrs. Bombara said.
Some of these projects are ongoing, and some were organized for the anniversary, she said.
Council members kicked off their 100th in March with a potluck supper for the parish.
 “Each month members got some kind of little gift” during the anniversary year, she said.
The anniversary celebrations close Nov. 11. Mrs. Yacino’s husband, Michael, is donating 144 flags, which Ms. Colonero will give worshippers at the parish’s 10:15 a.m. Mass. Mrs. Bombara said she hopes they can ring bells at church at 11 a.m. to mark the 11th hour of that 11th day in the 11th month.