Women's Guild
2026-27 Guild Executive Officers
The Women's Guild is blessed by a cadre of dedicated women who step up each year to lead. The Guild serves as pillar of community life at Saint Margaret Mary because of strong leadership, boundless creative initiative, and ongoing fostering of friendship among members.
Nicole Garden–President
Michaela McColgan–Vice President
Shannon Herink–Secretary
Mallory Anderl–Treasurer
Gabrielle Hasiak–New Member Liaison
Miki Kramper-Marketing and Communications
Jenni Rudersdorf–Past President & Nominating Chair
2024-25 Circle Leaders/Executive Board
Circle 1 Anne Bruckner & Cathy Hinrichs
Circle 2 Krista Anderson (Past President) & Amy Roland (Past President)
Circle 3 Rachel Bost & Christine Klinker
Circle 4 Joan Huston
Circle 5 & 7 Mary Manhart (Guild Board Representative)
Circle 6 Susie Rogers and Meg Heine
Circle 8 Miranda Burt & Jackie Conway
Circle 9 Tami Hauser, Julie Kenney (Past President), and Ann Tjaden
Circle 10 Ellen Stryker Scholl
Circle 11 Lisa Manning (Guild Board Representative)
Circle 12 Maren Haddad
Welcome to the SMM Women’s Guild! We are glad you are here and hope you will find a welcoming place to grow in faith and community.
The SMM Women’s Guild renews its membership each year, giving every woman a fresh opportunity to be part of this active and engaged group of women. With more than 400 members, the Guild is organized into small groups called Circles. Circles are welcoming groups of women who gather throughout the year for friendship, faith, and service.
Each Circle brings together women in similar stages of life. Whether you are single, married, divorced, widowed, newly married, a young professional, a mom, an empty nester, or in another season of life, there is a Circle where you can feel at home. We currently have 11 Circles, ranging from women in their 20s to women in their 90s. Take the quiz below to find out which Cirlce sounds like a fit for you!
What circle fits you?
Find out here
Q & A about Membership
Q: I know what circle I want to join. What is the next step?
A: Simply enter your contact details, select your circle and pay your dues HERE. Voila! You are officially a member!
Q: Do I have to be Catholic to join?
A: You don't have to be Catholic to join. While most members are Catholic women, everyone is on their own spiritual journey.
Q: Do I have to be a member of St. Margaret Mary to join?
A: While most are members of St. Margaret Mary, we do embrace women from other parishes as well.
Q: What is required of a guild member?
A: Two things. Pay your dues and stay engaged with your circle. Not every member can attend every meeting and that is okay. Circles are all designed to be there for you in whatever stage of life you are in.
Q: What are the benefits of becoming a member?
A: Making friends you can grow through life with. We look to the wisdom of the ladies from circles 5 & 7 - many have been in the guild for 70+ years. They grew up together, raised children together, served the parish together, weathered life's ups and downs together and are still having fun - together - in their 80s and 90s. If that kind of friendship is your jam, you have come to the right place! Plus we throw some pretty great parties and get a lot of great projects done both in the parish and in the community.
Q: How do I figure out what circle to join?
A: There are three ways to discern which circle is right for you. You can take our handy quiz and get a recommendation sent to your email inbox, you can read descriptions of our circles, or you can talk to our new member liaison. Check out the links below:
Inquire with Gabrielle
Circle Descriptions
Stay In the Know
Guild emails are shared regularly by the Women's Guild President. Emails include updates on Guild and parish happenings, sign up links, and more.
Women in Every Season of Life
The Women's Guild spans generations.
20-30's: Newly Forming Circle 12 "30 Under 30"
20-30's: Circle 10
30-40's: Circle 3
40-50's: Circles 2, 6, 8, 11
50-60's: Circle 9
50-70's: Circle 4
60-70's: Circle 1
80-90's: Circle 5, 7
Join a Circle
After you complete the form below, our Women’s Guild New Member Liaison, Gabrielle Hasiak, will personally reach out to welcome you and help you find the Circle that is the best fit for you.
A Gifted Community of Women
Our St. Margaret Mary's Women's Guild is blessed to count among our membership women with varied gifts in living out the mystery of our faith. Our members include those who gather to pray the Rosary, pray in small faith groups, lead scripture study, serve as Catechists of the Good Shepherd for young children, are spiritual advisors with advanced degrees in spiritual direction, are leaders of Christian podcasts, and more.
Faith in Action
Reflection on Pope Francis' encyclical on Care for our Common Home, 'Laudate Si', inspired the Women of Circle 6 to purchase coffee mugs for the parish as an alternative to Styrofoam in 2023. The mugs serve as one element of Women's Guild's Host Green Initiative. This is just one example of the many ways Circles offer service first inspired by prayer.
Here are a few steps members of the Women's Guild took kick off the 'host green' initiative at Father Toby's Farwell in June of 2023:
Eliminate Use of Styrofoam
Mugs were used instead of Styrofoam for coffee which is a staple at many church gatherings. A gift of Circle 6 in 2023, reusable mugs are accessible in both the Raynor Center kitchen cabinets and in a rolling cart in the Suneg Center in the church basement. The mugs may be used by any church organization or group. Signage is available for "wash your own" small gatherings. Alternatively, return signage is also available for larger gatherings.
Reusables
Parish Flatware was used instead of plastic forks.
Composting
Compostable products included Chinet paper plates and napkins were used. Additionally, kitchen scraps were composted. A Hillside Solutions membership was used to drop off the compost after the event. Compost signage is available in the Women's Guild Closet.
Recycling
Recycle bins were placed near the compost bins for the plastic cups. Omaha accept plastics #1, #2, #3, and #5. Items must be clean and empty. Recycle signage is available in the Women's Guild Closet.
Host Green Volunteers
Host Green Volunteers were tasked with helping guests sort trash correctly and periodically checking the bins.
"It is impossible to live and grow in the faith without the support of a group." - St. John Paul II
Women's Guild Membership
The Women's Guild Membership meets regularly in smaller groups called 'Circles'. Relationships nurtured in Circles serve as the heart of the Guild. Each Circle meets regularly to enjoy fellowship, prayer, and service.
Charism of Different Circles
Each Circle has a different charism. Changing and evolving to fit varied seasons of life, Circle membership is dynamic and fluid. This flexible, adapting model has served the Guild well throughout its history.
Join a Circle
Learn more about joining a Circle here.
Pictured are past presidents of the St. Margaret Mary Women's Guild gathered with Father Ralph O'Donnell in 2022. In 2024, the Guild celebrates 100 years of service as a guiding rudder to the Saint Margaret Mary community. Through the turmoil of wars and the drafting of husbands and sons, the polio epidemic of the 1950's, the flu pandemic of 1957, and more recent global pandemic, the Guild has offered sustaining, motherly care and outreach.
When the first church bulletin was published in 1929, Mrs. W.J. Rusch, then Guild President, wrote in it, "The chief purposes of the Guild are: 1) To lend aid to all parish activities, both religious and social. 2) To bring within closer contact the women members of the parish."
Membership
The professional portfolio of Guild membership has seen dramatic change over the history of the Guild. In addition to homemaking and philanthropic work, many members work outside the home in fields such as healthcare, government, finance, law, church ministry, education, real-estate, etc.
Guild Cookbooks
In celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Saint Margaret Mary’s Women’s Guild in 2024, a fourth cookbook was published by the Guild. The project was spearheaded by past president Ann Marie Bausch. The Guild also published cookbooks in 1937, 1962, and 1992.
For historical preservation, the Guild began digitizing past cookbooks in 2025. The cookbooks help us remember and give thanks for the countless women who have come before us bringing the love of Christ to all those fed.
Women's Guild Rosary
The Women's Guild historically hosts an Annual Rosary which shines a light on the parish groups offering a strong Marian devotion throughout the calendar year.
Fashion Show for the Ages
The Centennial Fashion Show in 2019 celebrated 100 years of history at St. Margaret Mary Parish. The event honored many of the families who were an integral part of building the SMM community over 10 decades. It was a true celebration of the community. — at Omaha Design Center.
Circle Leader Mass & Brunch
In gratitude to the Circle leaders who sustain the membership of the Guild, Executive Board Officers traditionally host a Christmas brunch.
May Mass & Dinner
The tradition of gathering the entire Guild membership once a year has taken different forms over the years. Once a luncheon, the gathering is now a dinner thus accommodating more working women. Every year the Women's Guild honors a Saint Margaret Mary Women of the Year and St. Joseph Man of the Year at the Women's Guild May Mass & Dinner. All women of the parish are welcome to join.
Dues
Member may pay dues online here or drop a check off at the parish office or with a Circle treasurer.
Women's Guild Service & Outreach
There are many opportunities for service and community outreach through the Women's Guild. While initiatives may change from year to year, here are examples of past service and outreach efforts.
Serving the Needs of the Parish
Attending to the material needs of the parish and school, gifts of the Women's Guild have included vestments, children's board books for the chapel Mass bags, supplies and resources for the school, flagstone walks for the church, Suneg Center kitchen remodels, and more.
Donut Sunday Fellowship
A favorite with kids, and adults, Donut Sundays sponsored by the Women's Guild offers fellowship for the parish community.
Supporting the Annual Parish Mission
The Women's Guild regularly supports the parish mission through hosting a evening reception.
Fall Festival Fundraising
Circles of the Women's Guild regularly sponsor gift baskets to support SMM's Fall Festival fundraiser.
Scholarships for Students
Each year the Women's Guild sponsors several scholarships for students attending Catholic High Schools. The scholarship honor recognize: honesty and integrity, kindness to others, academic merit, and engagement in the school community.
Banner Restoration Project
The Guild supported the restoration of spiritually significant symbolism on banners completed by the Ford Conservation Center.
Wood Carving Spiritual Gift
A treasured gift of the Women's Guild includes the wood crucifix, Mary, and Mary Magdala that prominently hangs from the ceiling of the church and inspires those who gaze upon it.
Family to Family Outreach
Women of the Guild have played a central role in supporting outreach to those in need at Christmas time.
Homeless Shelter Outreach
Members take prepared food to Sienna Francis House.
Food Bank Outreach
Members help assemble backpacks at Foodbank for the Heartland.
Outreach to Mothers in Need
Guild members and their families gather supplies to donate to Bethlehem House supporting mothers in need.