During the Summer months, this column will be highlighting the good work and parishioners involved in one of our various Parish Ministries.  Each week, we will feature an article from a different ministry, written by one if its members, as a reflection on the generosity and stewardship of the SMOS community.

Ladies Auxiliary Reflection

by Delaney Clement

“My Colors are Blush and Bashful!” – Steel Magnolias

The Ladies Auxiliary is an incredible group that highlights the power of femininity at St. Margaret of Scotland.  This organization underscores the strength of the women in our parish and is a perfect example of how “Beauty Shop Politics” brings together women of multiple generations to take action on the concerns (small or large) that are facing our community.  Just like Truvy’s Beauty Shop in “Steel Magnolias”, The Ladies Auxiliary gives us a venue to gather in a space that combines camaraderie and problem solving all while sipping on a glass of wine!

I joined the Ladies Auxiliary on a whim and after the very first meeting I knew I had found a diamond in the rough.  This group of women showed me what a tremendous legacy we have at St. Margaret of Scotland.  I took for granted how much work is needed to build a community and how it starts with young families.  The women I met started on this path when their children were the same age as mine and now most of them are grown with children of their own.  At almost every meeting I hear a funny story about my husband Ben and his childhood friends, not to mention bragging about how the ladies in the room collectively helped him grow into the man I know today  – that alone keeps me coming back meeting after meeting.  The women of this organization are strong – they are the Steel Magnolias of St. Margaret of Scotland!  I saw the passion that they have for continuous improvement of our school and church and I knew that the next generation needed to step up to the plate to continue this tradition.

So what do we do?  We meet once a month for about 90 minutes where we raise money through simple fundraisers and we give that money away like Oprah gives away cars.  We find ways to enhance our parish in any way possible by supporting our school, our teachers, making updates to our church, providing celebrations of life for parish members who have passed, and we take care of the things that no one thinks about.  No stone is left unturned as we look for ways to improve our environment.  If you want to become a part of the legacy of St. Margaret of Scotland, just reach out to me at dambergc@gmail.com or Carmela Garza at cgarza@stmargaretstl.org . The commitment is small but the reward is huge.  Our next meeting is at the beginning of the school year and we would love for you to join us as we eat, drink and give away cars.  😁