By Lois Rogers|Correspondent

For 60 years, Court St. Bonaventure No. 1656 of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas has been a mainstay of Catholic activity on Ocean County's Barrier Island.

Over the decades, the members have dedicated their efforts to supporting various charities, religious education and religious life in parishes stretching from Normandy Beach to Lavallette, the Seasides and even the Toms River mainland.

But celebrating this anniversary, as the court did recently, was a bittersweet event for many of the members.

As they gathered for their regular October meeting in the hall in St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette, they marked the occasion with fellowship and a cake and somewhat heavy hearts, said Joan Romano, publicity director for Court St. Bonaventure.

Superstorm Sandy had taken a heavy toll on the area and on many of the Catholic Daughters who lived there, she reflected. More than a year later, she noted that “a lot of people aren't back and it is still difficult getting people together” on the Barrier Island.

“We have (members) affected who aren't coming back because they can't rebuild,” she said. “There is a lot of construction going on,” in the area, she noted, which keeps others away.

Still the membership – which is comprised of between 55 and 60 women – works to support their causes with a pre-Sandy enthusiasm, she said.

This year, despite conditions on the Barrier Island, the Catholic Daughters continued their good works, hosting the annual “shower” they give for Covenant House in October. “We give a monetary gift and the members bring in things that Covenant House asks for. … Sheets, dress shirts, towels, underwear and socks. It was quite a nice collection.”

“Every year, we also adopt a family from one of the parishes,” she said. “This year, it was a family from Seaside Heights.” The court provides food baskets for major holidays observances and gift certificates to the A&P in Ortley Beach – the only supermarket in this section of the Barrier Island.

The organization also supplies Bibles for Confirmation students, she said.

“In February, we'll have our shower for Birth Right,” said Romano, who first became a Catholic Daughter four decades ago when she resided in North Jersey.

Romano noted with appreciation the generous donation the St. Bonaventure court received from the state court of the Catholic Daughters following the storm. “We all had to evacuate and when the state court learned of our circumstances, they sent us a check to be used specifically for the members of the churches.

“It was quite a wonderful surprise,” noted Romano, a resident of the West Point Island section who was only able to return to her home in January. With the money, each member received a $50 gift certificate to a department store and $400 went to each of the parishes along the coastline.

A number of the members opted to “re-gift” the gift certificates bringing them to the parishes who distributed them to those in need.

Romano said the members rejoice in the ongoing activity and see it as a way of focusing on the fact that life is returning to normal on the Barrier Island.