Council of Catholic Women hold quarterly meeting

The Houlton Council of Catholic Women on Saturday, July 26 hosted a quarterly meeting at St. Mary of the Visitation Church of the Maine Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.  Kelly Douquette, president of the MDCCW, was present to greet everyone. She introduced our pastor, Rev. David Raymond, native of Frenchville. Fr. Dave said our mission is to spread the faith and to carry the word to our friends, relatives and associates.
Pastoral Associate Deacon Albert Burleigh was present too as well as Sr. Carol Martin and Sr. Juanita Robichaud, Francisan nuns, formerly stationed at St. Mary’s in Houlton.
Bernette Roach and Ethel Mersereau registered approximately 50 ladies. Breakfast time was 8-9 o’clock and included tea, coffee, orange juice, muffins, doughnut holes and other breakfast food.
Houlton Council President Betty Ann Childers thanked everyone for coming and introduced her daughter, Anita Hubert. Anita showed slides of her trip with Ana Ritchie to Peru. St. Mary’s in Houlton sponsors a Sister Church in Peru. Anita depicted each slide and related to us how the people in Peru were very generous, even though they were very poor. Our money is worth three times theirs. The Peruvians are also creative and they made many articles, including post cards and other cards. Her presentation was well received with a question and answer period.
Betty Ann introduced Rev. David Raymond, pastor of St. Mary’s. He is now our HCCW counselor and was there to welcome the ladies from Gorham, Westbrook, South Paris, Windham, Augusta, Waterville, Bangor, Houlton and other communities. His message was we are women of faith and to spread the Word of God in our mission to our friends, relatives, and other associates.
After the Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Raymond in the church at 11:30 the group gathered again in the parish hall for a buffet luncheon. The hot dogs and hamburgers were grilled by Shirley Reardon, Jimmy Dobbs made coleslaw, the ladies contributed salads, beans, and other foods for a delicious meal, topped off with ice cream.
The newsletter “Keeping in Touch,’’ was distributed to the ladies by president Kelly Duquette. Here are the other state officers: First Vice, Ruth Warren, Second Vice, Lynette Dobbs, secretary, Sharon Prest; Assistant Treasurer, Joan Giroux, Parliamentarian, Pauline Frechette;
Also, Historian Cruz Cruz, Member at Large, Julie Brawn, Immediate Past President, Anna Saar, Community Concerns, Elizabeth Childers, International Concerns, Louise Guillette, Legislation, Ginette Gates, Church Concerns, Joanne Adams, Family Concerns, Ella Bourgoine, Organization, Anna Saar and the Newsletter, Lynette Dobbs.
Janet Barker distributed 50/50 tickets to the group. The winner was Betty Ann Childers. Then there was an auction, also conducted by Janet Barker. Fun bags were auctioned off and some contained Pepto Bismol, nails, flour, candles and other gifts that made us laugh.
The next meeting will be a general assembly at Gorham October 25 at St. Anne Church. If you need transportation, please see Betty Ann Childers.