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Young Ladies Institute is about helping others
Topics: Young Ladies Institute, Catholic, charity
Posted by citizenjournalist Tue Aug 28, 2007 16:26:29 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments In 1887, three young ladies in San Francisco got together to help another young lady who had been widowed and was destitute. After this meeting, they decided to continue helping others who needed help. They formed an organization which they called Young Ladies Institute.

The members of this organization were and are Catholic women over the age of 16. There are now institutes throughout California, Oregon and Washington and even into Hawaii. There are now almost 200 Institutes and about 2,000 members.

The purposes of this organization are to help others and to increase the spiritual and social lives of its members and families and to support each other through prayers and compassion.

Kern County has two Institutes in Bakersfield: St. Margaret Mary's No. 82, and Deo Gratias No. 218. Both meet once a month. Deo Gratias meets at 10 a.m. the third Saturday of each month in the hall of St. Francis Parish, 200 H St.

Deo Gratias will also hold its main fundraiser at noon Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Doubletree Hotel, 3100 Camino Del Rio. This event is open to the public. There will be door prizes, entertainment and baskets of goodies which may be won by the attendees, and lunch will be served. There will be a fashion show put on by several local stores.

Proceeds will be donated to several local charities such as Hoffman Hospice, Red Cross, Right to Life and others throughout the year. Ticket donations are $35 and may be obtained by calling Kathryn Miller, 835-7946, or Janice Rimmer, 325-2840. For further information about the fashion show or the Young Ladies Institute, call Mary at 834-2884.

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