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