The Daughters of Isabella of Holy Rosary Circle 638 held their annual Christmas Party at the Parish Center on Dec. 6, 2016.
There was a brief meeting and then the party began. Birthday ladies in attendance were: Theresa Wunderlich, Phyllis Belanger and Dolores D. Martin. Martin received a small gift and members sang “Happy Birthday.”
Nancy Saucier won the 50/50 prize of $15 and returned the winnings back to the Circle. Chancellor Jeanine Morneault led opening prayer, followed by the roll call of officers.
Members voted to donate $50 toward a gift for Father Alex coordinated by the Knights of Columbus.
Scribe Bea Pirie reported she had been in touch with the Aroostook Republican and they would publish our meeting notes.
Vice Regent Elaine Haines reported several Daughters attended the funeral Mass for deceased sister Joan Lott, which the family appreciated.
Gail Hjort thanked everyone for bringing layette gifts. Debbie Chabre gave several items she had knitted.
Haines won the honor to reign as Queen Isabella for one year. She was awarded a $25 check and a crown. Martin was the runner-up.
Discount cards are now available to members from Martin. This is the circle’s only fundraiser. Daughters will sell these cards, through which 15 vendors from Caribou, Presque Isle and Limestone give discounts. The cards can be used every day of the year at the participating vendors. Members will designate a weekend to sell the cards at Masses.
Chabre discussed the parish Blanket Ministry and how it benefits the community. A group meets every Monday to make blankets for the needy in the community. Over the last several years hundreds of blankets have been made and donated. The circle will donate $50 to this group.
After the business meeting, Circle members and guests enjoyed a meal catered by Frederick’s South Side, along with a gift exchange and carol singing. Members of the Christmas Committee were Regent Mary Ellen Field, Chabre, Elizabeth Long, Michelle Hersey and Nancy Saucier.
The first meeting of 2017 was held on Feb. 7. Members celebrated birthdays for January and February. Claire Randolph and Nancy Saucier received small gifts and members sang “Happy Birthday.”
Priscilla Foley won the 50/50 raffle in the amount of $11.
Chancellor Morneault led the circle in the opening prayer and all recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The group held a Draping of the Charter ceremony for deceased sister Joan Iott. Morneault, Hjort and monitor Madeline Guerrette joined the regent in reciting the prayer for a deceased member, and all sang “Oh What Could My Jesus Do More?”
The roll call of officers followed, along with the secretary’s and treasurer’s reports. First Auditor Priscilla Foley gave the annual report for the Circle ending Oct. 31, 2016, and the quarterly report ending Jan. 31, 2017.
Haines said cards were sent to Joan Iott, Lucille Wark and Theresa Ouellette for her husband, Richard. She also sent a card to Lou Wark on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Madeline Guerrette received a card on the loss of her sister, Grita Carson. A card went to Elizabeth Beaulieu, who has moved to Madawaska, and would appreciate hearing from the daughters. Mass cards were sent for Hjort’s father and for Field’s mother.
Four layettes were given to Cary Medical Center and two to people in the community.
Foley was a November winner of the 40-Week Club, and four from the County won in December.
The next international convention will be held in Montreal Aug. 6-8, 2018. The state convention will be held in Caribou this year, May 19-21. Preparations are already underway. The convention will be hosted by the five Northern Maine Circles: Holy Rosary of Caribou; St. Mary’s, Presque Isle; Santa Maria, Fort Fairfield; Evangeline Circle, Van Buren; and St. Thomas Circle, Madawaska.
Tickets will be sold on theme baskets; the circle’s theme is “stress relief.” There will also be an essay contest, due by April 4, with the theme“Who empowered you to be the woman you are today?”
Scholarship forms are due by April 4.
Members voted to donate $100 to the state project for various needs.
Robin Fortin, daughter of member Rena Lagasse, submitted an application for membership; the group voted to accept her as a new member. She will receive the short form conferral at the March meeting.
The Stations of the Cross will be presented every Friday at Holy Rosary during Lent and several signed up to lead.
The refreshment committee were Sharon Perreault, Rena Lagasse, Tammy Nadeau, Meagan Nadeau and Paige Nadeau.
The next meeting was slated Tuesday, March 7. The committee are Elaine Haines, Bea Pirie, Donna Sturzl and Theresa Wunderlich.
