American Federation of Catholic Societies
At the turn of the 20th century, Catholic lay groups throughout the country sought to create an umbrella organization to help coordinate activity between several overlapping societies, such as the Ancient Order of the Hibernian, the Knights of Columbus, and the Total Abstinence Union. Plans for such a national organization
National Council of Catholic Women
Lay women associations have a long history in the Catholic Church. One such organization is the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW). Unlike other female groups, the NCCW was founded in 1920 as part of the National Catholic Welfare Council, a predecessor to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.[1]
Newman Centers
Newman Centers play a vital role in the spiritual growth of Catholics who attend non-Catholic universities and colleges. The history of such centers is traced back to the University of Pennsylvania. In the year 1893, five students formed the first Newman Club with the purpose of giving “Catholic students at
Mary Brackett Willcox and Catholicism in the Suburbs
A New England Puritan becomes a prominent and influential Catholic in the Diocese of Philadelphia. An unlikely story but one that happened to Mary Brackett. Mary was born in 1796 in Massachusetts to Captain James Brackett and Elizabeth Odiorne.[1] In 1819, she married James Mark Willcox from Ivy Mill, PA.[2]