The Houlton Council of Catholic Women started the new year 2013-14 with Lynette Dobbs, president. Mass and Holy Eucharist were celebrated in the chapel with the Rev. David Raymond, moderator, and Deacon Albert Burleigh. We assembled in the parish center after Mass where Father Dave said the prayers before our meal.
Our guests were Bill Roach, Susan Hardy Freida Bither, Charlene Tabb and her daughter Bethany. We said traditional prayers from the booklet.
Vice President Jane Mitchell, in the absence of a secretary, read the minutes of the June 4 meeting. Treasurer Mary Grant gave our treasury balance to be filed for audit.
Father Dave had to leave early, but he reminded the ladies of their importance as they were likened to the Bible. Women are the backbone of the church. The gospel of Luke is considered the gospel of women and to the present, the ministry of Jesus.
For correspondence, Lois Downing read thank you notes, one especially from the children of Paul McGillicuddy for the sanctuary lamp offering in his name at the time of his 100th birthday.
Our president Lynette updated the group on activities during the summer. One is they offered a sanctuary light for Father Dave in recognition of his 10 year anniversary of ordination and faithful service he has provided HCCW and for his ordained ministry. Council also bought two cases of bananas for the athletic program, sponsored by the EDGE program.
A group also met during the summer to clean the closet in the living room. Janet Barker gave a report on the progress of the annual rummage sale. She talked about advertising the sale, mentioning we need workers to fold clothes, and to work at the sale too. Items for the sale are being accepted at the church but only during certain times., Please look to the Houlton Pioneer Times for the sale schedule.
This past summer ladies worked to organize the closet in the living room. Some items were discarded and some were returned to families of those who donated them.
The wording of the hymnal should read, ‘’For the Living and Deceased Members of the Houlton Council of Catholic Women.’’ There is only two committees: members are on a rotating list of every other month. All Catholic ladies are welcome. Lynette shared a brief article Rita McDade brought dating back to 1957 and showing Council winning second place for a July 4th parade.
Traditionally October is the month animals are blessed and is when we originally held an event for the animal shelters. At some point, it changed to March. In October we (Council) will bring items for the animal shelters. Items may be bleach, towels, padding, canned food for dogs and cats, etc.
Jane Stile talked about the Giving Tree, not too early to make plans for Christmas. Prayers were offered for families: Richard and Cecelia Rhoda, Gary and Sally Blake, the crisis in Syria, Kathy Clark, Nancy Topolosky, Ruth Rooney, Elizabeth Ann Childers, Faith Formation, RCIA, Cordell Wilson and two special intentions.
Birthdays and anniversaries were recognized and Lois Cassidy won the door prize. Before we closed, a survey was given to each to be filled out and returned to Lynette. The survey is about activities and what Council can do or not do. Surveys can be left at the church rectory or placed in an envelope at the church collection time. Prayers were said at the ending of Council with the September committee in charge.
