Features | Oct. 2024
SEASON OF REFLECTION
By Ann Marie Scheidler
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIA PONCE
STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA
Guild members Chapin Konsler, Maggie Berns, Ann Rahn, Elizabeth Hansen, and Maeve Curran
Many hands make light work. If the Guild of St. Mary could be summarized in one short phrase, this would be it.
This year marks the 90th anniversary for the Guild of St. Mary. Comprised of more than 400 active members, the Guild offers a rich and unique environment for women of all ages to meet new people, foster friendships, and serve others while growing in faith.
For many years, the Guild met as one group, where all women of the parish were invited to be members. By 1960, the growing size of this group limited the opportunity for more personal relationships among the women. To make the Guild more manageable, it was divided into “circles” or smaller groups, organized initially by neighborhoods, then later around special interests of their members. Each circle is named after a saint. Today, women from St. Mary’s are welcome to join a circle that best reflects them personally.
“It’s such an exciting time to be celebrating this anniversary,” says Louise Hayes, Guild President, and a member of St. Elizabeth’s Circle since 1997. “I have friends who have been in the Guild with me since I joined when my children were young. Now, many of us are enjoying seeing our adult daughters join circles of their own. Because of this, there is so much new life and energy in the Guild. It’s wonderful to be a part of it all.”
The Guild supports a variety of ministries at the Church of St. Mary, among them: the Christmas Sharing Tree, the annual Christmas Tea, Boutique and Cookie Walk, the Senior Citizen Luncheon with the School of St. Mary, the Spring Mass and Brunch, donut Sundays, funeral luncheons, the wedding ministry, the Most Blessed Trinity Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry, and Camp Hope.
“When we moved to Lake Forest, I joined the Guild to feel connected to our parish and to meet other women from St. Mary’s,” says Maeve Curren. “My mom had been a part of the Guild years ago and I knew she had made lifelong friendships at St. Mary’s through her involvement. I could only hope for the same.”
Every year, the Guild honors one of their own with the “Woman of the Year Award” at the Spring Mass & Luncheon. This award recognizes a Guild member who has shown exceptional service and dedication to the church and the community. The recipient is thought to best exemplify the virtues of humility, generosity, and compassion. Elizabeth Hansen was awarded this honor in 2023 and Ann Rahn in 2024.
“I’m so grateful to be a part of such an incredible group of women,” adds Curren, who is often spotted with a number of her friends volunteering at the Guild’s service projects. “It inspires me to see women of all ages lending their time and talent to deepen their faith and provide acts of service to our community and beyond. To me, it’s the perfect foundation for lifelong friendships.”
To learn more about the Guild of St. Mary, visit guildofstmary.wildapricot.org/home.
