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

Monday, November 29, 2010

Christmas Potluck 2010

Holiday Stroll & Christmas Pot Luck


Hi Ladies – we hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
 Once again, the Bass Hall was transformed! Many folks who came for the first time were amazed at what we get accomplished in so little time. Everything was wonderful from the raffles and holiday music to the bake table, crafts and our café. Thank you to all of you who made this happen. You are a wonderful group of dedicated women. I do also want to thank all the men that helped us also, whether it’s making the chowder or loading the tables, we appreciate you too.
 If you loaned us a card table and did not pick it up yet, it’s in the large closet downstairs. If anyone ended up with a plant support that was displaying a green wreath in the entryway, it’s mine bgurt@mcttelecom.com We will have a lost and found at the Christmas pot luck.
 If you plan to attend the Christmas pot luck on Monday December 6th at 6PM, please drop an email or call to one of the two hostesses, Karen Ayers dancecab@yahoo.com 532-7996, Barbara Garland bg@svwhale.com or message-taker, Beth 588-2076 . Please indicate what you can bring and if you are bringing a guest. Please do this as soon as possible so we can get an accurate count. Since we will not be having a Mass prior, it would be a good idea to bring your food warm. Please let Beth know if you or anyone you know is in need of a ride and we will gladly figure it out.

Please label you dishes with your name and what the casserole is. We have a member who is allergic to garlic, so if you dish does not have garlic could you please label it ‘garlic free’?

There will be a table set up to accept gifts and cards for your ‘Secret Angel’

Best Regards,
Denise and Beth




Friday, November 19, 2010

Holiday Stroll 2010 additional inf

Holiday Stroll 2010





Hi Ladies,


Well, Bass Hall looks fantastic and we’re ready to go tomorrow morning! Just a few reminders and information:


• Don’t forget your aprons. If you are working only in the AM and can loan your apron to someone who is working in the afternoon, that would be nice. We were not able to get the new ones in time for the fair and some new ladies may not have one yet.


• Remember to bring a mug. If you are working, you may help yourself to free coffee and refills with your mug.


• There is ample parking behind Dr Hedstom’s office and behind the Gurnsey Bldg. Please leave the few spaces behind the building clear for people to pull in to load and unload.


• For new ladies: If you have never worked at the fair, you’re in for a real treat! The room is filled with a festive air and it’s a great time to get to know the guild ladies better. Most of us wear comfortable clothes with some sort of red or green top. The Bass Hall is usually cool in the AM, but warms up fast, so layers work well. Please come to us if you have questions or concerns; we want to help you, but may not notice because we get very involved with our respective duties.
See you at the Holiday Stroll!