The Holy Rosary Circle 638 Daughters of Isabella of Caribou summarized their events from September to December 2017 and as follows.
After taking a short break for the summer months, the Daughters of Isabella are refreshed and ready to commence a new year for our parish. The first two meetings of this year’s fall season were September 5, 2017 and October 10, 2017. Priscilla Foley won the September 50/50 raffle; Debbie Long was the winner for October. Birthdays for July, August, September and October were announced and a small gift was given to Sandi Gagnon for July, Elaine Haines for August, and Teena Sirios for September, no October birthday lady was present. Happy birthday was sung for all birthday ladies.
Regent Mary Ellen Fields called September meeting to order at 6 p.m. Regent Mary Ellen Field led the Circle in: Opening Prayer, Pledge to Flag and the Ode was recited. Recording Secretary Dolores Martin read the Roll Call; 14 present and 4 absent. Dolores Martin read the minutes from the June meeting that focused on encouraging enrollment; they were accepted. Our October meeting was an open meeting and Potluck Supper. The room was wonderfully decorated with autumn items. What a great group of cooks we have in this organization. The food, friendship, conversation and more were outstanding! Thank you everyone. For our October meeting, our new Regent Elaine Haines called the meeting to order and Elizabeth Long led the group in Opening Prayer. Regent Elaine Haines conducted the Installation of New Officers, with only one officer not in attendance and will be installed at the next meeting. Roll call was conducted and minutes were read and accepted. Regent Elaine informed the Circle that we are invited to attend the Installation of Madawaska and Van Buren Officers on October 14.
In September, Vice Regent Gail Hjort notified our Circle that Madeline Guerrette made donations to the layettes. Christine Thomas of Winterport, Maine also knitted a peach sweater set and donated her work to the Layette Committee. At the October meeting, Hjort informed the group that Bea Pirie had donated many items ranging from sleepers to little girl dresses for the layettes. Diane Adams donated her work of a knitted sweater and blanket set. Everything donated is very much appreciated not only by our members but also our committee. From June to October 8 layettes were given to Cary Medical Center for help families. Thank you to everyone for your kindness.
Past Regent Elaine Haines sent out Get Well, Thinking of You, and Sympathy cards throughout the summer to: Norma Shaw, Omerine Cyr, Annette Gardiner, Karen Conroy, Elizabeth Long, Beverly McNeal and Doris Nadeau. Past Regent Elaine also did some home visits: with Elizabeth Long and Joan Bishop, sister to Fr. Thibodeau. In October she visited: Joan Bishop, Omerine Cyr and Eleanor Gagnon. Cards will be going out to: Eleanor Gagnon, Josephine St. Peter, Lou Wark and a sympathy card to Joan Bishop and Family.
Past Regent Gail Hjort wants to remind everyone that the Prayer Line is updated daily and would like to encourage everyone in need to use the prayer line. Prayers are powerful.
Regent Haines read: a Thank You card for the mass and lovely note from Annette Gardiner’s family; a Thank You card from Fr. Alex for the going away party, gift, cake and most especially our love and kindness; a Thank You card from Fr. Labrie for our generosity, and a Thank you card from Fr. Labrie for our $1000 donation to the fuel fund. She also read State and International correspondence from Martha Dufour, Maine State Circle. The letter thanked everyone who served and will serve as an officer of each Circle. There was discussion for the upcoming State Convention information and workshops for new officers on November 4, at Holy Rosary Parish Hall from 9 a.m. to noon. International Regent Diane Corriveau is looking forward to a thoughtful and inspirational new season starting with a new slate of officers, changes for the Constitution and by-laws by January 22, 2018.
The 31-Club is an important ministry that enables us to pray for vocations. The 31-Club is a prayer ministry where a person commits to pray for vocations on a specific day of every month. It is called the 31-Club since the most days in any given month are 31. You choose a day each month that is significant to you: your birthday, anniversary, etc. and on this day you pray the rosary for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life as well as those who presently serve. You pray also for the vocations of marriage and single life. Membership is easy—no meetings, no dues, and no one has to drive anywhere. The goal is to have at least one person every day of the month praying for increase in vocations. Please talk to a Daughters of Isabella member for more information and take up this great cause!
The 40-Week Club has started up for a new season. Our Circle participates in this fundraiser; it helps for various projects for the entire organization. We have had some winners. Want more information? Talk to a member of the Daughters of Isabella Circle.
New Circle books will be available soon. It’s about our 75th Anniversary. Anyone wanting to learn more about this book or how to get one; please contact a Daughters of Isabella member from our Circle.
At our September meeting, Regent Mary Ellen Fields graciously passed the gravel to incoming Regent Elaine Haines. With much appreciation and love, she stated it had been an honor to serve as our Regent.
The meetings ended with thanking the Refreshment Committee: Claire Randolph, Phyllis Brown, Sandra Gagnon, Teena Sirois, Mary Ellen Field, Debbie Chabre, Madeline Guerrette, and Dolores Martin; Closing Prayer and prayer for increased membership.
The Daughters of Isabella is a charitable organization of Catholic women founded on the principle of the motto: UNITY, FRIENDSHIP, and CHARITY. We come together as a sisterhood to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church, bring spiritual benefits to our members and contribute to the common good. By our faith we are called to serve, inspire and are challenged to do God’s work. We are committed to fostering individual participation by way of mutual understanding, charitable activities and social interaction. If this is of interest to you, please contact a member for information about joining us.
With Summer and Fall on its way out, November moved in with colder temperatures and shorter days, but also an air of Thanksgiving. Regent Elaine Haines called the Daughters of Isabella’s Meeting for November to order at 6:05 PM. The winner of the 50/50 drawing was Nancy Saucier, who graciously donated the amount to our Circle. Debra Chabre was selected as the Birthday Lady to receive a gift for the month of November. “Happy Birthday” was sung to all November birthday ladies. Chancellor Elizabeth Long led the Circle in Opening Marshal, as Jeanine Morneault was installed as our Circle’s new Recording Secretary.
The 31-Club is an important ministry that enables us to pray for vocations. The 31-Club is a prayer ministry where a person commits to pray for vocations on a specific day of every month. Chancellor Long asked the ladies to sign up to pray the Rosary for Vocations once a month (the same date each month) and a calendar was filled in. State Regent Martha Dufour is asking all state Circles to recite at least one decade of the Rosary prior to each meeting.
Roll Call of Officers was taken resulting with 16 out of 18 officers in attendance. Robin Fortin filled in as 3rd Auditor in Claire Randolph’s absence. There will be a review of the official seating chart for officers at business meetings. Recording Secretary Jeanine Morneault read the minutes of the October meeting taken by acting Recording Secretary Dolores Martin. Minutes accepted as read with the following correction: Gail Hjort is the Financial Secretary.
Thank-you cards were shared with the Circle from: Madeline Guerrette, and the Faith Formation Site Coordinator Jeanine Morneault for the Daughters assisting with hospitality following the Sacraments Mass. Regent Elaine Haines read correspondence from International Regent Diane Corriveau, International Directory Sharon Hengehold, and Lucille Reif. Meeting ended with Closing Prayers.
December started out as cold, windy and snowy outside, but this did not detour The Daughters of Isabella from having their annual Christmas Party at the Parish Center. Thanks to the December committee: Chair Mary Ellen Field, Nancy Saucier, Debra Chabre, Diane Saucier, Elizabeth Long, Priscilla Foley and Phyllis Belanger, the room was beautifully decorated and very festive for our Christmas gathering. The winner of the 50/50 Drawing was Michelle Hersey, who graciously donated it to the Circle. Dolores Martin was selected to receive a gift for the month of December. “Happy Birthday” was sung to all December birthday ladies. Pastor Fr. Dave Raymond bestowed the blessing for our meal. All present enjoyed a wonderful catered meal by Frederick’s Southside.
Regent Elaine Haines called an abbreviated Business Meeting to order at 6:42 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. It was decided to wait until January to have the Draping of the Charter for our deceased member Iva Deveau. Regent Elaine Haines invited Fr. Dave Raymond and Fr. Agustin to share a few words with the group. Fr. Dave shared with our Circle that it is a pleasure to be our pastor and pleased with all that is taking place during this Advent season, as we look forward to the true light of Christmas, which is Jesus. Fr. Agustin is happy to be with us and stated that the Daughters are a strong support for our Church and he hopes that the Christ child be born in our hearts and minds. Recording Secretary Jeanine Morneault read the minutes of the November meeting, which were accepted as read. Roll Call of Officers was conducted with 16 out of 18 officers in attendance. For correspondence: a Thank you card from Theresa Wunderlich was shared; Regent Elaine Haines read correspondence from our State Regent Martha Dufour who asked: “Is My Heart Ready for Christmas?’ What can we do to prepare our hearts for Christmas? and a reminder that we don’t want to lose the true meaning of Christmas; International Regent Diane Corriveau reached out in correspondence with a message of hope and love that Christ left us, and greetings from State Chaplain Fr. Lionel Chouinard, who composed a poem based on 1 Cor. 13 – “Giving the Gifts of Love That Endures” was shared.
Scribe Bea Pirie reported she would be working on submitting to the Aroostook Republican articles covering our November and December meetings.
Dolores Martin reported Get Well, Thinking of You cards were sent to: Elaine Haines, Doris Nadeau, Phyllis Brown and Annette Harmon. Cards will be sent to: Peg Winston, Germaine Albair, Lou Wark, Martha Dufour, and Daughters of Isabella shut-ins; Thank You cards will be sent to vendors on our discount cards. A current Daughter of Isabella booklet will be sent to Germaine and Lou.
Gail Hjort reported that 4 layettes had been given to Cary Medical, since our November meeting. Our Circle participates in the 40-Week Club fundraiser; this activity helps various projects for the entire organization. The 40-Week Club reported a winner from our Circle, Sharon Perreault.
Please keep seminarians in your prayers, as we pray the Rosary for the 31 Club.
Two members of our Circle have become eligible to receive their 25-year membership pin: Ruth Getchell and Beverly McNeal.
Christmas cards were presented to our three priests. The evening continued with swapping of gifts, door prizes and singing of Christmas carols.
The Order of the Daughters of Isabella is a charitable organization of Catholic women founded on the principle of its motto: Unity, Friendship and Charity. Our Circle wishes everyone: “The true joy of Christmas is the love of Christ, shared with family and friends. May you find His peace, love and joy in the coming New Year.”
