The Daughters of Isabella held their first hall meeting on Sept. 1, 2015 at the Holy Rosary parish center.
Regent Mary Ellen Field welcomed everyone back after the summer break. The 50/50 raffle was won by Vice Regent Elaine Haines. Happy birthdays for the month of July went to Elizabeth Beaulieu and for the month of August went to Gail Hjort. Each received a small gift and “Happy Birthday” was sung.
Past Regent Gail Hjort led in the opening prayer, the Ode and the Pledge to the Flag. Roll call of officers showed four absent.
One of the Past Regents of our circle, Irene Cyr, died during the summer. An Our Father and a Hail Mary were recited for the repose of her soul.
The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were accepted as read. Cards were sent out to Lucille Wark, Annette Harmon and Jeanine Belanger. Cards will be sent to Elizabeth Beaulieu, Diane Saucer, Annette Damboise and Ginette Jandreau. Cards from Judy Dubois, Doris Albert and Jeanine Morneault were read thanking everyone for their prayers.
Layette committee chairperson Gail Hjort reported that four were given out during the summer and she has four more ready to go. She will be looking for onesies, baby sleepers especially for boys, sweater sets, Pampers size 2 or 3, and crib blankets. The circle usually brings items for the annual baby shower that is held in December.
Our 40-week club started this month. There will be more on this at the October meeting where we can sign up and the State of Circle will draw for two months. It was moved and seconded that Holy Rosary Circle participate as a member of the 40-week club.
Dolores D. Martin spoke on the only fundraiser for our circle. These are the discount cards that the Daughters sell to raise money for our parish fuel fund and many charities. Eighteen vendors from Caribou and Presque Isle are on the cards and they can be used every day of the year. Holy Rosary Circle thanks the vendors. Cards will be available at the October meeting and anyone wanting to purchase may contact any of the Daughters.
Plans are under way for the circle’s upcoming 75th anniversary celebration. Invitations have been mailed and more were available at the meeting. Deadline is Oct. 2, 2015.
The celebration will include Mass celebrated at Holy Rosary with Fr. Labrie. The Daughters will march in procession. A memorial service will follow at the church for all the deceased members of our circle, then we will proceed to the Knights of Columbus Hall for a catered meal put on by the Knights.
A history of the past 75 years will be available where members can put in an order if they want to receive one. Our scrapbooks will be displayed and there will be door prizes given.
The installation of officers will be held at the end of October or early November. Also, the date for the training of the new officers will be set after the installation. Installation will be with our sister circles, Santa Maria in Fort Fairfield and St. Mary’s in Presque Isle.
The obligation was taken and closing prayer recited. The next meeting will be Oct. 6, 2015 with a potluck supper/open meeting at 5:30. Members can bring guests.
The Regent thanked refreshment committee for September, Tina Sirois, Sandra Gagnon, Mary Ellen Field and Phyllis Brown. The October refreshment committee is Debbie Chabre, Madeline Guerrette, Lue Wark and Jeanine Belanger.
