St. Therese Study Club marks 100 years

Members of the St. Therese Study Club in Sioux City gathered Nov. 11 to mark the 100^th anniversary of the women’s group that is made up of parishioners of Holy Cross Parish.

About 25 women – some dressed in fashion and hats of the 1920s - attended the anniversary event held at Sheryl McGowan’s residence, which included Mass celebrated by Father Roger Linnan, lunch and a program.

In opening remarks, the current president of the club, Molly Sokolowski said it was meaningful to be gathered in a member’s home for the celebration as they did in the past.

Father Linnan celebrates Mass for the 100th anniversary of the St. Therese Study Club.

“To begin with the celebration of Mass with Father Linnan as he did 50 years ago for the 50-year celebration makes this a very special occasion,” said the club president, who noted that they had first class relics of St. Therese of Lisieux on loan from the Carmelite Monastery in Sioux City. “Please take the time to venerate in any way you are comfortable with.”

During his homily, Father Linnan spoke about the saint that inspired the group’s name – St. Therese, who was known for her simplicity and love.

St. Therese, who was known as the Little Flower, was canonized on May 17, 1925, just months before the study club’s first meeting. This study club formed out of what had originally been a sewing club.

According to club archivist Susan Quinlan, 12 women gathered for lunch in the home of Mrs. A.B. Steffan on Nov. 11, 1925.

“During the course of the afternoon, it was decided to form a literary club to discuss church history and current topics,” said Quinlan, who noted that membership was limited to 18 women for many years. By the 1970s, membership expanded to about 30.

For more than 90 years, the study club consisted of women of Blessed Sacrament but eventually, when parishes of Blessed Sacrament and St. Michael merged into Holy Cross Parish, members of St. Michael were welcomed to join the club.

At one time the club met every other week mainly in women’s homes and now it meets about 10 times a year in the Blessed Sacrament Church Hall.

During the 100^th anniversary program, long-time member Lou Roach read minutes of the club’s very first meeting that listed elected officers, the suggestion of a 1 o’clock luncheon and noted programs were not to exceed 60 minutes.

“Eventually, the girls decided that they would bring 10 cents to be used at a future meeting or in whatever way they decided to donate,” she said, who noted that by the end of the year the dues collected were $14.15. This money was given to the parish priest for the purchase of St. Therese of Lisieux statue that cost $129.90, which was initially at Blessed Sacrament but now is in the chapel of the Carmelite Monastery. “At the end of the year, they were assessed $3.91 to help pay for it.”

During that first meeting 100 years ago, Roach pointed out that the women decided to begin each meeting with prayer. Today, meetings open by reciting the St. Teresa of Avila Prayer, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and special prayers for any petitions members may have for members, family or friends in need of prayers.

In keeping with tradition, a program was offered featuring a 15-minute video by Bishop

A blessed medal of St. Therese and a special anniversary ribbon were among the items the women received to mark the anniversary.

Robert Barron on St. Therese who was born in 1873 and became a Carmelite, dying at age 24 of tuberculosis. Largely unknown while living, she gained global notoriety after her death upon the publication of her spiritual memoir, The Story of a Soul.

Just as since the beginning, the women rotate as presenters. Based on the number of meetings and club members, they are scheduled to offer a presentation about every three years.

Quinlan said the club has had many different topics for each study year such as Religion in America, Female Catholic Martyrs and Saints, Mystics, History of Sioux City Parishes and Apparitions just to name a few.

Present day members range in membership length from just over a month to 47 years.

Pat Collins, who has been a member about 45 years, said through the group she has enjoyed fellowship with women who have the same beliefs as she does.

“The meetings have always been spiritually orientated with a program,” she noted. “They have been a blessing and it’s so nice that some new, younger people are becoming involved – especially now that we have one parish with two churches.”


One of the best parts of the meetings, she noted, “is the ingenuity of the topics that are presented throughout the year. New members have been wonderful; they are even doing costuming with the topics.”

In addition to rotating with offering presentations, McGowan said the women serve as host or co-host twice a year in order to share in the workload, making it a group effort.

Margie Bonthius, who has been a member of the group since 2009, said the meetings have been very enlightening and she has made wonderful friendships through the club.

“We have covered the lives of saints and things I would never know about without belonging to this group,” she said. “When I found out that this group has been in existence for 100 years, I was really impressed.”

As the program drew to a close, Sokolowski said it was a rewarding experience to plan the 100^th anniversary celebration “knowing that what 12 women began 100 years ago is thriving today based on faith, friendship, fun and of course food. We are indebted to and grateful for the women who kept this going all these years.”

The club president said it is her hope that in 100 years, the study group is still offering the same opportunities it does so today and that there would be a Susan Quinlan to capture 200 years of history.

Not only do memories of the club live on, but so do deceased members as each one was remembered by name during a meeting and Mass last month.