Friday, November 18, 2011

Minutes 2011/10

Divine Mercy Parish Women’s Guild
Monday November 7, 2011
6:30 PM

Minutes
1. Opening Prayer led by Yvonne Murray
2. Recording Secretary – Kim Graham. No questions were asked on the previous minutes. Minutes were approved.
3. Corresponding Secretary – Simone Lagace: A thank you card was sent to Rich Frechette. There was a Thank You card from the family of Dorothy Crowley. Simone will continue to work as Corresponding secretary while she is in Florida for the next few months.
4. Treasurer’s Report – Karen Bannister. A financial report with handout was given from July 1, to October 31.
5. Helping Hands Report – Joyce Schmidt: There was one funeral this past month for Dr. Shuburt. Sign up for helping hands with Joyce after the meeting or let her know your availability.
6. Parish Outreach Report – Food Drive Below
7. Priest Appreciation Sunday- Lauren Martin: It is always the last Sunday in October. The Pastoral Council planned an event this past Oct. 6.
8. Holiday Stroll – November 19 Helen Limina, Chair
a. Denise and Helen and met with other parish coordinators. Fair hours 9:00-2:00
b. Hall available from 10-4 for set up. Saturday we can get in at 7:30.
c. We will need 7 or 8 card tables.
d. Bell ringers will perform from 11-12
e. Parking, Karen has left messages with Hedstrom about parking but no word yet.
f. Potential viewing of other fairs later on in the day on Friday. Helen will follow up with emails if that is a go.
g. Reminder** we need to set up tables before we set up any craft it you have any.
h. We need music. Dorothy Smith will play piano from 10-11. Helen will follow up with. Diane, Chris Falcone and Pat Cloutier
i. Sign ups for working that day for an hour and sign ups for bake table were sent around.
j. Beth is working on the café and so if she needs help she will let us know. We can use fudge, pies, diabetic cookies and GF. Label nuts or not.
k. If you cannot print off a poster from your computer, please take one from Helen. If you can, please print off some and put some up around town and where you work.
9– Kathy Sullivan and Gail Caron, Chairs
a. Friday December. 2 at Union Congregational Church 12-5PM
b. Sandwiches to be made in stages in two hours shifts 12-2, 2-4, 4-6.
c. They will need 2 people in the morning and 2 in the afternoon for registration
d. Escorts to be split, we don’t need you before 12:15. Three people for the earlier and 3 for the late shift.
e. Gail had a sign up sheet. Everyone is welcome but we would love to have people in the donor room.
f. Kathy had a sign up sheet for sandwiches, breads and finger food, cheese & crackers.
g. Twelve Pine will provide the soup.
h. Posters should be put up around Thanksgiving as it is the next week.
i. Reminder to supply coffee and tea and all the fixings.
j. Donors are getting a coupon for a regular 6 inch sub from Subway.
10. Karen has membership cards if anyone does not have one and has paid their dues. The picture of the front of the card was drawn by Kathy Sullivan’s daughter Emily West.
11. Community Supper in Bennington - Helen Limina: The second Thursday of the month, January 12. It will be held at the school. The last couple of years we did Turkey Divan. After a discussion if we wanted to make this again, it was decided that we would. Helen will talk to Jackie about getting the confirmation kids to make sweets. We are not sure of how many we will be serving. We can guess 6 or 8 tables of 8 to 10 people.
12. Thanksgiving Baskets - Jean Frechette: List of what we need up at the back of the church. Food needs to be donated after the masses on Nov. 12 & 13. There will also be envelopes for monetary donations. Checks should be made out to Diving Mercy. Last year they created 51 baskets. Money donated covered almost all of the costs for food for the baskets. Food gets picked up and they get delivered on the 22nd, in the afternoon. Packing baskets at St. Patrick’s in Bennington at 3:00 and delivery at 4:30. Fruit baskets will go to Greenfield Commons. Anyone that can help pick up groceries please contact Jean. Boxes to be packed can be brought down to the basement. Jean will send out an email for details about volunteers.
13. Mass/Christmas party – Karen Ayers: Monday, December 12 6:00 Mass with pot-luck to follow. She will send out an email for how many are coming and what you are bringing. Main dish, salad or dessert. Barabara will help out Karen with this event. We have too many people of our own to invite the Knights.
14. Request from Knights - Jean Frechette: They arranged for and have had the statue from the grotto at St. Patrick’s packed and moved into storage to use when the new parish is built. John Kauffel prepared her for storage. $800 was the cost and the Knights are asking if we can help with that cost. We are not talking expenditures until the New Year but she just wants to put it on the radar.
15. Food Drive - There will be an outreach meeting open to all parishioners of all ages on Monday Nov. 28th at 7pm in the Parish Hall to talk about the food pantry and the needs. This meeting will discuss how to best to meet the needs of our food shortage in our community. A motion was put on the floor that Guild members bring food for the food pantry at each meeting. The motion was passed.
16. Christmas Eve Decorating - Father asked if 4 people would be willing to help decorate
the Armory at around 10AM for the Children’s Mass that evening. Mass we be held there at around 4:15 or 4:30. He hopes on doing a couple of trees, a few wreathes and some roping.
17. Poinsettias for Harborside and for shut-ins. We will order from the House By The Side
of the Road. Cathy Buffman had a note that last year Sue, Edna and Beth like to deliver them to Harborside and the ministers will pick up and deliver to shut-ins. This will continue this year.
18. Channel of Peace at Summerhill-Mary Armstrong: She suggested that this might be a nice project for the Guild to do, as far as community involvement. Maybe 4 times a year we could pick four different facilities and plan an event. Bingo, cards, game night for example whatever. We will discuss this topic further at the next meeting.
19. Anyone wanting to help with comfort food please talk to Jean Frechette.
20. Thank you to our hosts Denise Long and Jackie Colaneri.
21. Closing Prayer - Yvonne Murray

Reminders
Blood Drive, December 2
Christmas Party, December 12, pot-luck Mass at 6:00PM
The next regular business meeting will be January 9th at 6:30.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Calendar 2011/12

DIVINE MERCY PARISH WOMEN’S GUILD

CALENDAR 2011-2012
All meetings start at 6:30 unless otherwise noted
2011
September 11 Church Picnic
September 19 6PM Membership Pot Luck
September 24-25 After all Masses Parish Outreach & Activities Fair
October 3 Business Meeting
November 7 Business Meeting
November 19 Fair
December 2 (Tentative) Blood Drive
December 12 Mass-Christmas Party


2012
January 9 Business Meeting
February 13 Business Meeting
March 12 (Tentative) Mystery Dinner
April 9 Business Meeting
April 19 7 PM Confirmation
May 6 2 PM 1st Communion
May 13 Crowning of Mary
May 14 (Tentative) May Banquet
TBA Plant Sale
TBA Commencement Event

Minutes 2011/9

Divine Mercy Parish Women’s Guild


Monday October 3, 2011

6:30 PM
Minutes
1. Opening prayer lead by Yvonne Murray

2. Speaker: Grand Knight of the Monadnock Council of Knights of Columbus, Rich Frechette. He has been involved with the Knights for over 20 years.

a. The Kights of Columbus started in New Haven, Connecticut and is now the largest fraternal organization in the world. The organization is open to all actively Catholic males eighteen years and older. There is a division for young males (squires) and females, but this order chooses not to enact those sections at this time. Life insurance policies charity, fraternity and patriotism

b. Locally, the Monadnock Council provides financial aid to: Divine Mercy parish when needed, St . Patrick’s school, the local food banks, sports teams, campership for the summer Peterborough recreation program, seminarian scholarship for the diocese of NH. They provide the clean up of cemeteries, tree work and painting windows at the church. They provide a thank you trip once a year for alter servers, they purchase the meat and cook it for the church picnic, and they organize the yearly St. Patrick’s day dinner as a community social event. They host a St. Florian dinner to support local Fire Fighters, an hour of adoration & masses and prayer sessions. They organize a Basketball Free Throw competition and volunteer with special Olympics events at the Peterborough Playground.

c. At the state level, the Knights of Columbus provides funding for a Kidney fund, monies for the mentally handicapped for school & equipment and Right for Life with walks locally and in DC.

d. Membership numbers:120 people, with a lower number that attends monthly meetings which are the second Wednesday of the month in the church hall.

e. There are three levels, which are lessons in fraternity, the importance of charity and loyalty to the church & others. Those at the fourth degree provide an honor guard when the Bishop comes to Divine Mercy or for conformation and during the Memorial Parade.

3. Recording Secretary: Kim Graham. There are no previous minutes to report

4. Corresponding Secretary: Simone Legace

a. Simone was absent therefore there was no corresponding to report

b. Jean Frechette reminded members that if there is someone in need of a card of support, please let Simone know.

5. Treasurer’s report: Cheryl Lastrina

a. In conclusion of the 2010-2011 year, Total Income was $6641; Total Expenses were: $5921 plus money put aside for a CD for the new church totaling $6000. The total in the checkbook at the end of the year is $3158.

b. Motion to approve the 2011-2012 budget by Karen Banister, seconded by Karen Ayers. Approved unanimously.

6. Helping Hands: Joyce Schmidt

a. No funerals this past month, so there was no need to call on Helping Hands.

b. Joyce sent around a list to update how you can help for various functions.

7. Parish outreach: Linda Caracappa,

a. Linda was absent to Gail Caron updated the members of the work of the Parish Outreach.

b. Parish Outreach came about from the need seen in the Parish office. Several outreach officers are trained by Gail and meet with those in need to see how we can help. They have been busy lately and Gail expects to be busier in the coming months

c. Outreach is supported by parishioners and the Guild. Outreach takes 5% of the overall budget of the Parish and specific collections each year.

d. The Outreach Fair did not happen due to the weather. There are plans to have it either in the spring or next fall.

8. Prayer Chain: Beth McGurty,

a. Jean Frechette, mentioned that Beth is at home with her daughter but she wanted to thank everyone for the prayers, she believed it was truly helpful for her daughter.

9. New business

a. Holiday Stroll: Helen Limina

i. November 19, 9:30-2:00 Peterborough Historical Society, Cheryl Lastrina finalized the rental agreement and Karen Bannister will submit it soon.

ii. Holiday fair sign up sheet was passed around. Please respect your time slot so that everyone can work a shift. You can sign up for the following:

1. Café

2. Craft table

3. Bake table

4. Raffle table

iii. There was a discussion on whether we wanted to have the Bell Ringers or the Children’s Choir as our entertainment because we cannot afford both. It was decided that the Peterborough Children’s Choir is our first choice, if logistics work in our favor. Karen Bannister will contact the Historical society to find out the weight limit in the balcony. Helen has already talked to Maria Belva, the choir’s director but will double check with her that the choir will be the right fit for our event.

iv. We usually have a smaller fair the next day after all of the masses but since grade 9 CCD meets in the Parish Hall after the 9:30 Mass, Helen will talk to Jackie to figure what we can do this year.

v. Cheryl Lastrina mentioned that the big selling raffle item is the gift card tree so if people could donate to this item, it would be great.

b. Blood Drive: Kathy Sullivan and Gail Caron

i. No date yet but should be the first Friday in December, that would be the 2nd.

ii. Sign up sheets will be available at the November meeting. Gail wants to try a different schedule so that snacks are made on demand and not at the beginning of the morning. They dry out too quickly.

c. Food Drive: Linda Caracappa, Karen Ayers

i. It was decided that the Guild wants to support the Monadnock Area Food Bank as this food bank serves all residents of the Monadnock Region as does our Parish. It is located at All Saints Church and is open Monday, Tuesday and Saturday 10-12. More details need to come from the food bank, so action is tabled until Linda has more info. She will figure out how to remind people to support and what they need the most.

ii. Marie Adler currently volunteered at the food bank and she said that they served approximately 30 people in two hours. There are a lot of people coming in but not enough food.

iii. Yvonne Murray mentioned that some people do forget that it is Brown Bag Sunday.

d. St. Pats School Ladies Night: Linda Caracappa, Karen Ayers

i. Friday Oct. 14. It will be the same as the Ladies night that we hosted in the spring.

e. Craft group: Joan Buck

i. Joan was absent but Connie Lebel mentioned that since there is no morning group it was suggested that perhaps we could start an afternoon group. More details on a new group will follow after the craft fair.

f. Thanks to Cheryl Lastrina, Janice McKenzie and Helen Limina for hosting this month’s meeting and providing the yummy treats.

g. November’s meeting will be hosted by: Denise Long and Jackie Colaneri.

h. Next meeting Monday, Nov. 7 at 6:30PM in the Parish Hall.

Final prayer was led by Yvonne Murray

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Minutes - 2011/4

Divine Mercy Women’s Guild

Business Meeting
April 11, 2011

6:34pm: Opening prayer lead by Yvonne Murray

Recording Secretary: Minutes approved as written
Corresponding Secretary: No correspondence at this time
Treasurer’s Report: In: $36.68 (dues, crafts sold, bank interest) Out: $423.43 (St. Pat’s Golf tournament, Fr. Gerry’s gift, Community Supper, craft items, Mystery Ride)
Helping Hands: Joyce Schmidt and Jean Frechette report no requests this past month.
 Call Linda Osienski 588-6709 for information regarding the Easter dinner posted in the Sunday bulletin.
New Business:

  •  First Communion is scheduled for May 15th @ 1:00 Sue Koziell and Edna Drasbo volunteered to coordinate the event.
  • Fr. Goggins 80th birthday celebration on May 1st after the 11 o’clock Mass. Coffee and cake will be served. Yvonne Murray, Sue Koziell and Beth McGurty will coordinate the event.
  • May Dinner Banquet will be held on May 16th at 6:30pm in Bass Hall. Cost is $18. RSVP by May 9th. Check our blog http://dmwomensguild.blogspot.com/ for additional information.
  • Our annual Plant Sale will be on Saturday May 28th from 8-2. This year the sale will be at Bowling Acres in conjunction with the K of C yard sale. Helen Limina suggested 100% of the money from the sale of the plants sale go to the beautification of our Church grounds. This request was approved by the Guild.
  • A discussion took place whether to have breakfast or dinner for the commencement meal. A dinner will be planned and a date will be announced.
Chairs for Holiday Fair:

 
Holiday Fair Coordinators … Helen Limina and Beth McGurty
Craft Table … Margaret Wynn and Norma Whitney
Café … Jackie Colaneri
Bake Table … Janice McKenzie
Raffle Table … Linda Caracappa and Cheryl Lastrina

 
Committee Chairs for 2011/12

 
Hostess coordinator … Janice McKenzie
Parish Picnic … Sue Koziell
Membership dinner … Denise Long
Blood Drive … Kathy Sullivan and Gail Carron
Christmas Potluck … Cathy Buffum, Simone Lagace, Karen Ayers
Mystery Ride … Yvonne Murray
  • May Banquet … Joyce Schmidt, Joan Buck, Beth McGurty  Receptions for Sacraments … Linda Caracappa and Cheryl Lastrina
  • Commencement Reception 2011 … Denise Long (need 2012 chair)
  • Plant Sale 2011 … Helen Limina (need 2012 chair)

 Report from Nominating Committee - Officers for 2011/2012

Presidents: Jean Frechette, Cathy Buffum and Karen Ayers

Treasurer: Karen Bannister

Recording Secretary: Kim Graham

Corresponding Secretary: Simone Legace

 
Disbursement of Funds throughout the year:

 
• $400 to River Center supports 2 weeks Farm to Table program

 
• $399 TV for CCD

 
• St. Pat’s Golf Tournament

 
• $100 Red Cross

 
• RCIA $100 for CD’s

 
• And additional requests from Father in April

 

 Welcome new members: Michele Urban and Eleanor Falcome

 Old Business:

 
Community Supper: Helen Limina reported the Guild sponsored a successful dinner in Hancock with about 100 meals served. A discussion took place whether to continue supporting a community meal in Hancock or offer our support to other towns. Bennington was suggested. No decision was made.

 

 Confirmation will take place on Tuesday, April 26th at 5:30pm. Volunteers requested to help.

 

 Sue Koziell has 4 Women’s Guild aprons for sale @ $10/each.

 

 When would be the best time to set up Cash for Gold vendor? Linda Caracappa led the discussion and multiple dates were offered. Linda0020will email us with a date that hopefully works for all of us.

 

 Ethel Cavanaugh Award Nomination: Members were asked to nominate a guild member who they felt was worthy of this award. The member chosen will be announced at the May banquet.

 

 Closing prayer: lead by Yvonne Murray

 Meeting adjourned at 8:29pm.

 Thank you for your support during the past three years as your recording secretary.

 
Respectfully submitted,

Janice McKenzie

Recording Secretary

 

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Spring Banquet

Women's Guild Spring Banquet Monday, May 16th at 6:30PM at the Bass Hall/Peterborough Historical Society.  The cost of the meal is $18.00 and the choices are:

Chicken Piccata-Capers and lemon in a light white wine lemon sauce
Haddock ala Suisse- Mushrooms, spinach and swiss cheese
Roast Eye of Round w/mushroom au jus.

Please RSVP before 5/9 to Beth or Denise with one of the above choices.  Please note that there is ample parking in the back of the Historical Society.  Please leave the  6 or so parking spaces directly behind the building for the ladies that require a shorter walk.

Enjoy the Spring!
Denise and Beth

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Mad Hatter's Tea

NOTES FROM THE MAD HATTER’S TEA



Held at Union Congregational Church, Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Those attending: Linda Carracappa, Joanne Johnson, Edna Drasda, Ruth Bohn, Ginny Chevalier, Chris Falcone, Connie Lebel, Yvonne Murray, Joan Buck. They mentioned that Divine Mercy has responded with the “most enthusiasm” of any of the churches.
In response to an invitation from the ladies at the Union Congregational Church, 8 members of Divine Mercy Parish Guild attended a Mad Hatter’s Tea on March 8. We were warmly greeted at the door by a couple women, were given name tags & a china cup and were told to find the matching saucer and to please sit in the chair at that place setting. We noticed several “other” people cheating on this task, but Divine Mercy representatives were more than willing to meet new people. We chatted for a short time with our tablemates and were then introduced to the guest speaker for the evening – the proprietor of “The Cozy Tea Cart” from Brookline, N. H. We learned about the growing & harvesting of tea – starting with the fact that all types of tea come from the same plant!! After the presentation, including sniffs of many types of tea, we were treated to a cup of tea and assorted delicacies.
The best part of the evening, however, came from our conversations with the ladies of UCC. The president, Carele Mayer, was especially welcoming; and we brainstormed ways that we could share fellowship. We said we would like to return an invitation like tonite’s gathering but that we were hampered by easy access to our hall. They responded quite enthusiastically that we had already extended our hand with the cookie trays we brought to them during the Holiday Stroll. They then suggested that we plan something, invite them and then use their hall. That offer initiated a brainstorming session of how we could work together on community projects and share the resources. Some of those ideas include:
• Working together on a craft project with a particular goal in mind – e.g. hats or quilts for a particular place & bringing them to the recipients. Connie mentioned that she often did these kind of projects when she was teaching school, so that the students would have the complete experience by bringing their items to a nursing home or the Girls Shelter in Antrim, etc. This would be a wonderful extension of the Outreach efforts we are already doing. Linda mentioned that daytime crafts might also connect the daytime group at Divine Mercy to members of both churches.
• Linda mentioned the possibility of sharing our Easter Basket program with the other churches – or some of our other Outreach projects. Starting with our two churches and then extending to other churches.
• Discussion of using their hall for other functions that D. M. might need as it was already used by many groups.
• Ways to engage younger folks in church functions – having members, like Linda, involved in the Guild.
• Offering programs that would include other churches – such as one they had recently on the history of their hall.
• Having some sort of “Advisory Council” – representatives from any of the churches who wanted to participate. This might open up opportunities for members of Divine Mercy to participate in serving community suppers. (Chris & Neil Falcone already do this) Linda & Lauren Martin did involve their CCD students in the past.
We were so excited by this extension of mutual kindness, sense of community, and friendship that all began with those cookies and look forward to our first gathering.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Minutes - 2011/3

Divine Mercy Women’s Guild
Business Meeting

February 14, 2011

6:34pm Opening prayer: led by Yvonne Murray

Presentation: Co-presidents Denise Long and Beth McGurty demonstrated the art of candy making using melted chocolate, strawberries, graham crackers and Ritz crackers/peanut butter. Delicious samples were passed for the guild members to enjoy. And, we all took a chocolate quiz to see just how much we knew about chocolate! Beth also made and served a delicious drink called Kir Royale.
The Guild sang “Happy Birthday” to Vi Depres and Beth McGurty.

Recording Secretary: Janice McKenzie read the January minutes to the members. They were accepted as written and posted on the blog. Janice also outlined the role of the Recording Secretary and encouraged the members to think about the position if they were interested or if asked by the nominating committee.

Corresponding Secretary: Thank you cards were sent from All Saints Parish & Chester Soule. The Union Congregational Church in Peterborough invited us to their “Mad Hatter Tea” on Tuesday March 8th at 7pm. Hats are required. A sign-up sheet was passed around for anyone interested on attending.

Treasurer’s Report: Cheryl Lastrina reported our current financial status: In $61 (dues, crafts and ornament sales) Out: $670.28 (Business expenses, Fair, poinsettias, Christmas potluck, paint and light fixture). Net profit from Holiday Fair: $4,410. It was suggested that a small hand rail is needed at the bottom of the stairs.
Helping Hands: No funeral support needed. Three comfort meals were provided.

Parish Outreach: The Clothing Drive for the City Reach program in Boston was very successful. Thank you to all who contributed or participated in this program. 28 volunteers traveled to Boston to distribute clothing to the homeless. All extra donated clothing was walked to 2 other shelters in Boston.

New Business:
March 14, 2011 is the scheduled date for the Mystery Ride dinner. More information will be posted on our blog.
Birthday cards for Fr. Gerry and Fr Goggin were passed around for the members to sign. A gift of $50 will be sent with each card.
The River Center: Linda Caracappa requested the Guild sponsor a session of the “Farm to Table” program offered at the River Center. At risk mothers and children learn how to cook healthy food often using a crock pot. Linda thought the cost was about $368/session and will follow up with the exact amount. The Guild agreed to donate up to $400 to this worthy program.
Four new offertory baskets are needed: The Knights of Columbus will purchase two and the Guild approved purchase of two. They cost $75 each.

The question arose regarding what percent of money the Guild has in their annual budget to donate to the Church and the community. At this time there is not a specific amount set aside each year. Beth felt this would be a good topic for the Board to discuss this summer at their meeting. Fr. Gerry has requested we maintain enough money in our budget to cover unexpected needs. We are also very generous with gifts to Catholic Charities, St Patrick School, and the Food Bank.

Old Business:
Cash for Gold fund raiser. After some discussion, the Guild members suggested this event take place in the summer. Linda Caracappa will look into available dates. The fund raiser would be open to the Church community and the Guild would receive 15% of the amount of gold turned in for cash.
Follow-up on advertising on the back of the Church bulletin: The back advertisement page is printed every 2 years and the next date of printing will be January 2012.
Joan Buck stated the Ecumenical Service was well attended. The Women’s Guild provided refreshments.
The Community Supper in Hancock has been rescheduled for Thursday February 24th. The original sign-up sheet was passed around to re-confirm what to bring. Helen Limina asked for a back-up member to help coordinate the supper in the event she was unable to be there. Sue Koziell volunteered.
Are you interested in bowling with the Guild? We will meet at the bowling ally on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6pm.
Beverly Schacht invited members to come to the House of Prayer in New Ipswich. It is a facility that has a chapel, offers morning Mass, and has small rooms for retreat purposes. It was suggested we have our April Guild meeting there but Beverly thought our group was too large. She will check into it and get back to us. If you are interested in seeing what The House of Prayer is all about please feel free to contact Beverly.

Meeting adjourned at 8:07pm
Respectfully submitted,
Janice McKenzie

Recording Secretary
Next business meeting April 11, 2011 @ 6:30pm

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Mystery Ride 2011

DMP Women’s Guild
Mystery Ride
When: March 14th
Time/Meeting Place: 6PM at either the St Patrick’s or St Peter’s parking lot

Menu choices:
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chicken Parmesan
Steak Tips
Lamb Kabobs
Haddock Broiled/Baked or Fried (please specify)
Baked potato/Mashed or Rice (please specify)
Cheesecake-plain/ Cheesecake with strawberries/Chocolate Cake (please specify)


As you can see, the menu has many options, so we will need you to be specific with your choices. Please indicate your choice of entrée, starch and dessert when you contact us.
Denise 878-4247 dereeek@yahoo.com and Beth 588-2076 bgurt@mcttelecom.com are the contact people. If you call either of us and get a family member, please follow up to insure that we got the message.
Please let us know if you are able to drive, how many you can take and which location. We are in need of drivers that can start in the St Patrick’s parking lot.
Please RSVP by 3/11. The cost is $20.00 and you can give it to Cheryl on the night of the dinner. Checks are made out to Divine Mercy Women’s Guild.
Best Regards from your Mystery Ride Coordinators,
Denise and Beth

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Minutes - 2011/2

Divine Mercy Women’s Guild

Business Meeting
January 10, 2011


6:30pm Opening prayer: led by Yvonne Murray


Presentation: Margaret Nelson, Executive Director of the River Center
The River Center is a non profit family and community resource center.


Margaret informed us of the services the River Center provides. Call 924-6800 if you have questions regarding parenting classes, social networking, information on free tax preparation, support groups, employment resources etc. Take home material was provided.


Recording Secretary: Janice McKenzie read the November minutes to the members. They were accepted as written and posted on the blog.


Corresponding Secretary: Pat Cloutier sent out some cards of support while Simone Lagace is on vacation. Thank you cards were read including those from Fr. Gerry, Fr. Goggin, Pheasant Wood (Christmas poinsettias), and Rabideau family (home cooked meals).


Treasurer’s Report: Cheryl Lastrina reported our financial status as of November: $5,137 (Holiday Stroll, Helping Hands and ornament sale). Expenses out: $558 (Holiday Stroll, Blood drive, calendar add, postage)


Helping Hands: Jean Frechette informed us that this month we provided 3 meals of comfort food and Edna Drasbo stated no funeral support needed in the past month.


Parish Outreach: Jean Frechette thanked all the many volunteers who helped make up 53 baskets (dinner preparations) and 20 bags of fruit for the community during the holiday season.
In addition:
52 poinsettias were delivered to Pheasant Woods
148 gifts were donated to the Christmas for Kids program
30 families received gifts from the Giving Tree


Old Business:
Helen Limina, Chair of the Holiday Fair, offered some suggestions about next years Holiday Stroll.
*The craft committee needs at least ½ hour of the empty hall to set up tables before the crafts are brought in to the Historical Society Hall.
*Continue with the mini fair at the church the weekend of the fair.
*Raffle table and cash area worked well.
* We need more members to be visible walking around to help with sales of crafts.
*Suggested possibly relocating the Knights of Columbus and Faith Formation to the breezeway.
*Will invite the Children’s Choir earlier next year.
*Sandwich boards outside the Church.


Blood Drive: Thank you to all who helped with this successful drive. The goal was 70 units and we collected 83 units of blood.


Community supper: Will be held on January 27, 2011 at the Hancock Church. A sign-up sheet was passed around. Please have your food to St Peter Hall by 5pm on Wednesday 1/26. Food preparation will be in Hancock on Thursday morning starting at 9am. Dinner starts at 5:30pm. Servers and a clean up group are needed. Please call Linda Caracappa or Helen Limina if you can help in any way.

New Business:
The Nomination Committee members are: Joyce Schmidt, Joan Buck, Linda Caracappa and Cheryl Lastrina. Please connect with one of the committee members if you are interested in filling the position of President, Recording Secretary or Treasurer for next years Guild officer open positions.


There will be an Ecumenical Prayer Service at St Peter Church on January 20, 2011 at 7pm. The Bennington Congregational Church will join with us for this service. Volunteers are needed to bake, serve and clean up. Thank you.


On January 21-23 there will be a retreat at the House of Prayer in New Ipswich. Call Sister Jacquie @ 878-2346 or www.presentationofMary.com for more information.

Linda Caracappa suggested a new fundraising opportunity. Cash for Gold is a company who offers cash (on the spot) for any gold jewelry you have that you’d like to sell. The Guild would then receive a % of money that was sold. Linda would like to open this opportunity to anyone in our parish.


After speaking with Fr. Gerry, Gail Laviolette looked into the possibility of removing and rebuilding the steep stairs leading into the Church Hall. Unfortunately the stair wall supports the choir loft and should not be moved due to cost and structural integrity. Gail suggested that a new light fixture, new carpeting and fresh paint would brighten up the stair area. This would cost about $400. Beth McGurty offered to look into the possibility of having the carpet cleaned instead of replaced. The Guild agreed to proceed with new lighting and new paint at this time and approved $100 for the expense.


Edna Drasbo suggested the Women’s Guild advertise on the back of the Chuch bulletin.


The evening craft group meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. They are planning a bowling night on January 20th at 6pm. Please notify Helen Limina if you would like to join them for a night of fun!


Karen Ayers and Yvonne Murray volunteered to host the February Guild meeting.


Closing prayer: led by Yvonne Murray


Meeting adjourned at 8:29pm


Respectfully submitted,
Janice McKenzie
Recording Secretary


Next meeting is on February 14, 2011

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Minutes-2010/11

Divine Mercy Women’s Guild

Business Meeting
November 8, 2010


6:23pm Opening prayer: led by Yvonne Murray


Recording Secretary: The October minutes were accepted as written and posted on the blog.
Corresponding Secretary: Simone Lagace sent appreciation cards to Fr Gerry and to Fr Goggin. Thank you cards were read by Margaret and Edna.
Treasurer’s Report: Cheryl Lastrina reported as of July 1st to date:
In $283 and Expense out $1327
Helping Hands: Joyce Schmidt reports all was quiet.
Parish Outreach: Gail Caron spoke about the Christmas for Kids and the Giving Tree programs. They provide gifts for children up to age 15.
Old Business:
The annual Blood Drive is scheduled for December 3, 2110. A sign up sheet for volunteers and bakers was passed around. Any questions? Call Kathy Sullivan.
The Holiday Stroll is scheduled for Saturday November 20, 2010. Volunteers are needed to make up 6 cookie platters. They will be distributed to the other churches involved with the Stroll. Bell Ringers will be at the Historical Society from 11-12pm
Call Vi Despres if you would like to order fudge.
Please remember to wrap and label all baked goods for the Bake sale table. A sign up sheet was passed around.
Don’t forget to bring your own coffee mug for free coffee provided by our Café.
Set up is on Friday 10am-4pm. The doors will be open for us on Saturday at 7:30am
There will be a mini fare after Church. Please call Helen Limina if you can help out.
The Knights of Columbus will have their calendar raffle and Christmas cards.
The Ledger-Transcript should have an article regarding the Holiday Stroll.
Cathy Buffum requested a table to be set aside for the Faith Formation Group.
New name tags will be available for all Guild members at the Fair.
Helen Limina will discuss the Guild sponsoring a Community Supper in Hancock at the January meeting.
New Business:
Jean Frechette will send out an email asking for help with the Thanksgiving Baskets.
Our annual Women’s Guild and Knights of Columbus Christmas Pot Luck dinner will be on December 6, 2010. Karen Ayers and Barbara Garland volunteered to co-chair this event. A sign up food sheet was passed around.
City Reach is scheduled for January 21, 2011. Please donate boots, blankets, knapsacks, sweaters etc… Men’s wear is greatly needed.
The November issue of the Parable featured an article about our Guild. Beth McGurty brought in her issue for all to see.
Lise Limeaux is requesting donations of rosary beads. They will be given to the Antrim Girls Shelter.
Thank You to Yvonne M. and Jane M. for hosting the meeting. You both did a beautiful job.
Closing prayer: led by Yvonne Murray.
Meeting adjourned at 7:29pm


Respectfully submitted,
Janice McKenzie
Recording Secretary

Next meeting January 10, 2011 @ 6:30pm