Pittsburgh Catholic Newspaper - News and Features

News & Features

Mission group marks centennial
archived from: 2013-03-15
by: Phil Taylor, Associate Editor

Local Circle 15 plans charity luncheon, fashion show for April 13

It began in 1913 in the Pittsburgh area with two sisters and friends forming what is known at the Maria Sewing Circle. The circle made altar linens and gathered money for foreign missions. The organization, now known as the Maria Missions Circles, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in September.

It wasn’t long before the idea of supporting the missions through the circles had taken off, and circles were being formed all over the country as far away as California. Locally, group members are particularly proud of Circle 15, based in Carnegie, and its efforts over the years to support missions and missioners in Fiji, New Guinea and Chimbote, Peru.

“We started with small luncheon and fashion shows, and from 50-60 people we grew to 300,” said Adeline Makar, Circle 15 secretary.

Makar was introduced to the circle by its former secretary, Constance “Connie” Speca, who served the local organization from 1958-76. Speca was a neighbor of Makar, who has served the organization since 1977.

Although a great deal of the group’s time is spent in prayer under the patronage of the Blessed Mother, meeting in members’ homes, a lot of the circle’s attention goes into planning its single annual fund-raiser.

Members are particularly excited this year because of the group’s centennial. Of all the circles that were formed in the nation, providing the missions with more than $1 million, members say Circle 15 may be the only one that remains.

“We’re trying to make it (the luncheon) very special, just to say ‘thank you’ for coming,” Makar said.

She noted that some of the supporters of the event have been patronizing the luncheon for as many as 30 to 40 years.

She also had praise for Father David Poecking, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Carnegie, who has spoken on the group’s behalf. Father Poecking is a former missioner.

Last year’s event raised $8,000, according to the organization. The money was distributed to missions in Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

Makar said Archbishop Petero Mataca of Fiji and Franciscan Father Clem Gawlik of New Guinea report to the local organization how the funds are used. It’s important to note that money raised may nearly double in value depending on the currency exchange rate, which can result in a larger return on aid for the missions.

Circle 15 believes it has raised $100,000 for the missions since its inception by its founders, Gertrude and Regina Miltenberger, Catherine Clair and Ivy Hawthorne.

Gertrude was a private secretary to an attorney. Organizational literature from 1969 credits her “with rare literary talents and great ability for organizing.” Its first secretary, by 1926 she had increased the number of circles in other dioceses to 52.

She would later offer herself to the Maryknoll order, taking the name of Sister Mary Clare. She died in 1946 as an active and devoted member of the missions. Some of her close associates also followed her in joining the Maryknoll community, and as many as 30 circle members are believed to have entered consecrated life.

The Maria Missions luncheon is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, at the Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South, 164 Fort Couch Road (across from South Hills Village mall). Doors will open at 11 a.m., and lunch will be served at noon, followed by a fashion show sponsored by Phyllis’ Fashions of the Meadow Lands.

Donation is $30 and includes the lunch and show. In addition, there will be a Chinese auction, money tree, 50/50 raffle and basket of cheer. The event will run until 4 p.m. For reservations, call 412-279-4116.

E-mail this story