For the Daughters of Isabella, Holy Rosary Circle of Caribou, the winter has been very busy.
Every month, the Daughters celebrate their sisters’ birthdays. November’s birthday gift recipient was Vi Cummings Sirois. December’s birthday people were Dolores D. Martin and Phyllis Belanger. Birthdays for January were Claire Randolph, Lucille Wark and Regent Mary Ellen Field. In February, Nancy Saucier, Madeline Guerrette and Doris Nadeau had birthdays. “Happy Birthday” was sung and each received a small gift.
Winners of the monthly 50/50 raffles were: November, Lucille Wark; December, Josephine St. Peter; January, Michelle Hersey; February, Nancy Saucier; and March, Rena Lagasse.
The Daughters are selling the 2016 discount cards. These are $10 and pay for themselves in a very short time. Anyone wanting to purchase one may contact Dolores Martin or any circle member. D of I bracelets are available for $20. Contact the regent.
The blanket ministry is looking for helpers. If there is any interest in a night group, call Ruth Gahagan 492-1960 or Pat Casperson 496-0431.
The following officers were installed in November for 2015-2017, assisted by Marshall Madeline Guerrette: Doris Albert, outer guard; Michelle Hersey, custodian; Jeanine Morneault, chancellor; Priscilla Foley, second auditor; Lucille Wark, third auditor; Bea Pirie, scribe; Dolores D. Martin, recording secretary; and Sharon Perreault, financial secretary.
Books were audited by the state in October and everything was found to be in order. Officer training was held in November.
Prayers were offered, and Past Regent Gail Hjort reminded members to inform her of prayer requests for the prayer line. Donations to the layettes were given by Madeline Guerrette and Judy Dubois, who gave a baby afghan from someone in the community. Judy is starting to knit baby blankets for the layette project. Madeline Guerrette brought in five sweater sets; members voted to get five more sets.
A sign-up sheet was circulated for the 31 Club, where members recite the Rosary on their birthdays and pray for vocations and clergy.
In December, the circle held its annual Christmas party at the Parish Center. The ladies donated staples for the food pantry and layette project. A raffle was held on a baby doll to replenish the layettes; $27 was raised and the winner was Cindy Gagnon. Father Kyle invoked the blessing. Frederick’s Southside catered the meal.
After the meal, a short meeting was held. Father Kyle thanked everyone for their involvement in various parish activities and for their continuing prayers for vocations and clergy. He talked about the Year of Mercy that runs through Nov. 24, and reported he will lead a pilgrimage to Frenchville in June. The circle was asked to participate in the first-ever craft fair, held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Presque Isle in December, benefiting the Hope Project.
The Daughters presented money gifts and cards to Father Jean Paul LaBrie, Father Kyle Dousteau and Regent Mary Ellen. A gift exchange followed. Door prizes were won by Rita Worley, Sandi Gagnon, Dolores D. Martin and Vi Cummings Sirois. Christmas carols were sung.
In January, the meeting room was set up in theater style with each officer being assigned to her seat. The Regent went over each officer’s specified duties. A Draping of the Charter Ceremony was held for deceased sisters Doris Martin and Fern Michaud, followed by the hymn “Oh What Could My Jesus Do More.”
Thank-you cards were read from Father Jean Paul LaBrie, Father Kyle Doustou and Mary Ellen Field for Christmas gifts and from Theresa Wunderlich’s for prayers and best wishes for her recovery.
Four layettes were given out in January.
The Regent reported she and others attended the opening of the Holy Doors in Frenchville in December, with Bishop Robert Deeley and six priests in attendance from the diocese.
She appointed Vice Regent Elaine Haines to chair and form a committee of five members to update standing rules and bylaws. Michelle Hersey is looking into purchasing a stand for the banner; the Obligation was taken by all.
In February, a Draping of the Charter ceremony was held for deceased sister Geraldine Smith, followed by the hymn “Oh What Could My Jesus Do More.”
Thank-you cards were read from Joan Bishop, Theresa Wunderlich and Bob Foley. Throughout the winter, cards were sent to many: Meagan Nadeau on her many accomplishments; and get-well, thinking-of-you or sympathy cards to Debbie Chabre, Diane Saucier, Fern Michaud, Aubri Cummings, Bob Foley and Evelyn Thibodeau, Theresa Wunderlich, Germaine Albair, Lucy Nelson, Joan Stairs, Dolores Martin, Kathy Cunrod, Karla Cyr, Madeline Guerrette, Germaine Michaud, Donna Sturzl, Lucy Nelson, Sharon Ellis, Elizabeth Beaulieu, Doris Albert, Nancy Saucier, Loretta Williams, Omerine Cyr, Joan Bishop, Madeline Guerrette, Joan Lott, Omerine Cyr and Vi Cummings Sirois.
Theresa Ouillette was called, Elaine visited with Loretta Williams and Germaine Michaud.
The circle had its first 40 Week Club winners in a long time: Rita Worley and Rena Lagasse. They received $50 and their names were put back in the drawing for future opportunities.
The international convention will be held at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, Nev., August 7-10. The regent will be going as a delegate.
Members voted to donate $1,000 to the parish fuel fund.
The off-year workshop will be held in Lincoln May 14. The speaker will be Susan Conroy, who lived and worked with Mother Theresa in India for many years. Again this year there will be an essay contest: “How Do I Spread Hope Through My Faith As a Catholic Woman”? The circle will donate $25 each to Share Your Love, Retirement for Religious, State Scholarship and Presence Radio.
Caribou High School’s National Honor Society are instituting a Wall of Fame for CHS alumni who have excelled in their fields. The circle will submit the names of Rita Worley (1972) and Elaine Haines (1982).
Member Michelle Hersey discussed Faith Formation’s goal to have a prayer partner/mentor for each student in the sacraments program. Our group will work toward implementing this program.
The refreshment committee members for the winter meetings have included Dolores D. Martin, Mary Ellen Field, Omerine Cyr, Josephine St. Peter, Brenda Corriveau, Jan Corriveau, Elaine Haines, Theresa Wunderlich, Bea Pirie and Donna Sturzl, Tammy, Paige, Meagan Nadeau, Rena Lagasse and Sharon Perreault.
The Daughters of Isabella is very active and always accepting new members. It is a charitable organization of Catholic women founded on the principles of unity, friendship and charity.
