Women's Club

About us

Looking to connect? Serve? Live your discipleship with a vibrant community of faith-filled women? The Saints JFX Women’s club would love to have you join.

We support the mission of the parish by offering wonderful opportunities to meet new people, serve others, and grow spiritually. Most importantly, the different activities of the club mean that there is something for everyone here! Whether serving at a soup kitchen, gathering for a social event, attending the Valentine’s Tea fundraiser, or participating in faith discussions, you will find a warm welcome and a place to grow.

Below, you'll find detailed information about the club, our guilds, and the club’s activities, as well as directions on how to join.

​Leadership Positions

Co-President 2023-24: Deirdre Dennett
deenora1010@yahoo.com

Co-President 2023-24: Jen McGinn
jenmcginn@yahoo.com

Board Members for 2023-24: Deana Tolzien, Sandy Pigott, Shelagh Donoghue Mary Rosen, Nina Bittick, Colleen Fitzgerald, Diane Clarke and Rachelle Leech.

Email us at: ssjfxwomensclub@gmail.com 

Upcoming Events 2023:

Christmas Dinner 2023

Bring your Christmas cheer to a fun dinner hosted in the Community Room at.St. Joseph Church! Save the date: Wed, Dec 13. Advance RSVP required. Click HERE for invitation.

Previous Events 2022-23:

Fall Membership Dinner
​Sept 2023

Our Fall Membership Dinner was held on Wednesday September 20th, 2023 at 6:30pm at the Wilmette Harbor Yacht Club. Over 80 ladies (and Fr. Wayne) attended the event. We had perfect weather for drinks on the deck followed by a delicious dinner catered by Parish-owned A La Carte Catering. The evening included a short meeting (AGM) to review guild activities and upcoming events 2023-24. 

Spring Dinner May 2023

Our Spring Dinner was held Wednesday May 24, 2023 at 6:30pm. Venue is the "Woman's Club of Wilmette" Club House. This dinner also serves as the installation of the incoming Women's Club board members for the 2023-24 year.

Valentine's Tea Feb 2023

The 2023 Valentine's Tea held on Sat February 11th at the Sunset Ridge Country Club. It was a truly wonderful event! In attendance were 114 ladies, 67 girls and 1 priest (thank you Fr. Ryan). The 50/50 cash drawing fundraiser sold a record 444 tickets. Fr. Ryan drew the winning ticket - Denise Leath - she won $4,440! The ladies and girls raffles were a huge success with lots of fabulous prizes and some very happy winners.

​Special thanks to committee co-chairs Rachelle Leech, Liz Gianneschi, Larissa Wozney and Paula Humbach. 

Christmas Dinner 2022

Our annual Christmas Dinner Party was held on Wednesday December 14 in the Community Room at St. Joseph Church. Over 65 ladies attended the dinner and the highlight was live piano carols played by John Hopkins. Ladies of all ages came together to celebrate the joy Christmas that is found in sharing each other's company!

Fall Membership Dinner September 2022

The Fall Membership dinner was held on Wednesday September 21 at 6:30pm at the newly built "Woman's Club of Wilmette" club house..We gather to see old friends, meet new ones and hear what we have planned for the year ahead. 

Spring Dinner May 2022

Every year we gather in May for a special dinner to officially install the incoming board members for the next year, and to hold our third AGM (annual general meeting). Fr. Watts kindly presided over this year's installation and we thank him for his continued support of the Women's Club.
Learn More
 Welcome! We invite you to explore all that the Saints Joseph & Francis Xavier Women’s Club has to offer. The Women’s Club has been in existence for over 150 years and we are very pleased to welcome new members from our parish. The Women’s Club was formed to promote the best interests of the parish through its spiritual, social and community activities.
 
We support the mission of the parish by offering wonderful opportunities to meet new people, serve others, and grow spiritually. Activities include:

  • Community service 
  • Fundraising activities 
  • Social events 
  • Faith discussions and guest speakers

Below, you'll find detailed information about the Club, our guilds, and activities, as well as instructions on how to join. Please email us at ssjfxwomensclub@gmail.com with any questions you might have.
 
This year’s Fall Membership General Meeting and Dinner will take place on Wednesday September 20th   at Wilmette Harbor Club. Check out our monthly e-newsletter (September through June) to find out more about the Club’s activities.
 
We encourage you to remain/become a part of this exceptional group of women!  

About membership:

There are two kinds of membership in the Women’s Club: Associate Members and Guild Members.
 
Associate Members Associate members are not a part of any specific guild, and are welcome to attend all events hosted by the Women’s Club, such as the three general membership dinner meetings and the Valentines Tea fundraiser.
 
Guild Members Guilds are designed to allow for smaller group socializing. Members may join more than one guild. Guild meetings provide an opportunity for members to meet new people, renew friendships and participate in the vibrant life of our parish!
 
Guild Descriptions
 
Guild 2
  • Members may have school aged or younger children in both the parish and local public schools.
  • Members meet monthly for a variety of social gatherings, service opportunities, or spiritual events.
  • Members focus on supporting the various social, charitable and spiritual activities the Women’s Club.
 
Guild 3
  • Members may have older children (tweens and teens), or are young-ish women with no children.
  • Members meet monthly and focus on community building and social events. 
  • Gatherings and activities include supporting the Valentines Tea, Ravinia Picnic, and Christmas in July.
 
Guild 4
  • Members are older adults, and some may have grandchildren. 
  • Members meet the 2nd Thursday evening of most months (October-April) in the St. Joseph Community Room or other location.
  • Members focus on charitable and social activities including making prayer blankets, Toiletry Shower for the Sisters of Christian Charity, spiritual talks and ministries, potluck dinner, book discussions and bake sales.
 
Guild 5
  • Members are in mid-adulthood, and some may have adult children or grandchildren.
  • Members meet monthly and gatherings focus on three pillars: Faith, social and service. 
  • Gatherings and activities include casual social events at members’ homes, service opportunities with Misericordia, Feed My Starving Children and Prison Ministry backpack kit assembly, as well as spiritual discussion at the parish. 
 
The guild "names" provide a profile guideline for each group but in no way indicate that members need to have children in that bracket or any children at all. We welcome women of all ages, with or without children of their own. 

See below for links to join the club, either via an online form or by printing a form to mail in. We ask our members to pay 'dues' every year. This money is only used for charitable projects and gifts.

Join the Saints JFX Women's Club
Register Online
Complete the online Women's Club Membership Form.
​
Register by USPS Mail
  1. Download and print the Women's Club Membership Form

  2. Mail the completed form along with a $35 check payable to "SSJFX Women's Club" to:

    Diane Clarke
    302 Laurel Ave
    Wilmette, IL 60091
    ​
Special volunteer service

"In Service of Others"

Looking to volunteer for small tasks and acts of kindness? Join this committee of women serving those who need a little help with daily life. See details on the form below.

You do not need to be a member of the Women's Club to serve on this committee. Questions? CLICK HERE to e-mail Diane Clarke.

Click below for the committee sign up form: 
In service of Others Committee form

Prayer Blankets

Prayer blankets are offered to any person who is ill or suffering and would benefit from having a blessed blanket for comfort. Please contact Paula Humbach to request a blanket: pawlala@yahoo.com

If you or a loved one have received a prayer blanket and would like to make a donation directly to this Women's Club ministry, please CLICK HERE.