Since the early 1920's, the Women's Guild of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church has taken an active role in assisting the parish and the community in many ways. Open to women of all ages in the parish, this group continues a tradition of over 100 years of dedicated service to the parish and community.
MISSION OF THE GUILD
The Women's Guild's Mission is: To promote the spiritual and social welfare of the church, to assist in raising funds to be used for various projects within the parish, and to perform special works as assigned by the Reverend Pastor or his delegate.
WORK OF THE GUILD
The Women's Guild continues to provide excellent service to the community, providing opportunities for social events and service. The Guild award one or more scholarships yearly to young women who are graduating from high school, hosts events for the parish, provides hospitality after Masses on Saturdays and Sundays, and assists the pastor in his initiatives.
During World War I, a group of women from St. Mary's Church worked collectively as volunteers sewing for the Red Cross. Following the close 0f the war, one of the women approached Father Tiernan requesting that they be permitted to continue the group as the Ladies Guild of St. Mary's Church. Thus, a Guild was established on May 3, 1920.
In the early years, the Guild would hold a bazaar each year that would last for three nights. One year, a hope chest was filled with handmade articles and raffled off, raising $1,500. This unique way of raising money received much publicity and for a time the chest was on display in the window of G. Fox & Co. in Hartford. In 1963, the St. Mary's Junior League merged with the Ladies Guild bringing with them youthful enthusiasm and new talents, and over the years a number of projects and initiatives were undertaken. These included a renovation of the old church hall and kitchen and the distribution of baskets of food to the needy.