SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
August 25, 2012

Present: Craig Koett, Msgr. Mike Yarbrough, Fr. Martin Garcia, J.J. Hansbrough, Laura Hansbrough, Dan Wojciechowski, Tess Welsch, Patrick Fetzer, Kathy Fetzer, Debbie Freno, Carol Short, Bob Lorenz,
Excused: Jeanne Henschell, Ralph Welsh, Melissa Smiley, Nancy Lee, Joe Lorenz, Monica Arce, Rose Monday .Rolland Cole, Jim Ermis, Rita Farmer, Christine McClean, Grace Minus, Bob Short, Beth Roberts,
Opening Prayer: Msgr. Mike led the Social Concerns Committee in an opening prayer.
Divorced, Widow(ed) & Separated Group: Dan spoke about this group with the following: The group met on August 4^th with the following highlights. Five (5) members of the DWS Group to review and decide on a Catholic Based Divorce Support Program to offer at Holy Trinity this fall. Over the past several weeks we have reviewed in detail two Catholic Based Divorce Support / Recovery Programs. One was Divorce & Beyond which is structured as a self-help program and has been utilized extensively in both the Archdiocese of Cleveland and the Archdiocese of Chicago. This program dates back to 1983 and was revised in 2004. The other program - Catholics Divorce Survival Guide (CDSG) was developed in 2011 and per the data provided has been utilized in 70+ parishes and endorsed by the Bishops of both Oakland CA. and Toledo, OH. The CDSG program utilizes 12 videos which incorporate the views and comments from six (6) experts – an author and speaker, a Catholic Psychologist, a Catholic Theologian, and three priests. The videos also incorporate divorce and recovery comments from Catholic men and women. This program was inspired by Divorce Care, a Protestant video program that has been very successful. CDSG is based on the teachings of the Catholic Church and 100% faithful to the Catholic Church Magisterium. Additional information regarding CDSG can be found at www.CatholicsDivorce.com. The DWS Group has recommended that we go forward with the CDSG program. Some of the issues we need to address are as follows:
1. Covering the Costs – Will the parish pay for the materials? The Participation Kit that I have on a 45 day approval costs $350. The 45 days expires on August 26. The kit includes the 12 DVD videos plus two Facilitator Guides and seven Participant Guides. Additional Participant Guides are $15.00 each excluding postage. If the parish will pay for the Participant Kit I recommend that we ask each participant to pay for the guide - $15.00 per person. We could also charge $20-$25.00 per person to help recoup the costs of the videos. [Pastor’s Note: Msgr. Mike already emailed that the parish would bear the cost.]
2. How do we increase awareness of the program? – A minimum we need to add an insert into the Bulletin announcing the program. We would think we would need to do this starting 3-4 weeks prior to the start date. CDSG has provided us with some samples that we can update and use for the insert. A brief pulpit announcement at the end of each weekend Mass coinciding with the first bulletin inserts would be helpful. This could be included with the other announcements made by the presiding Deacon at the end of each Mass.
3. Start Date – The recommendation is to start the program in September and conclude the 12-week program before Christmas with a tentative start dates as one of the following: 9/8, 9/15 or 9/22. We should conduct the programs on 12 consecutive weeks skipping any week that conflicts with a holiday. Whether we do this on a Saturday or weekday will depend on participant feedback. Since we had been meeting on Saturday mornings, we initially propose continuing with the Saturday meetings.
He also suggested that the Widow(ed) group become separate. We already have two groups at HT who deals with this: Bridges Beyond Grief and the Beginnings Experience…There is a core of about 6-8 people who attend the bi-monthly meetings. There are 10-15 who come when we have a guest speaker. And we have 34 people on the email list…There will be a flyer in the upcoming bulletins in regards to the proposal.
Hugs Ministry / Baby Shower Update: Tess spoke on this. June Montella will no longer be able to handle the Hugs Ministry due to family circumstances. It was suggested – and agreed upon – to transfer this to the Prayer Shawl group. She also stated that Ann Viera will be overseeing the Baby Shower Ministry, along with Laura from the Social Concerns Committee…Ended up with thirty-five (35) blankets for the baby shower…Seton Home did not join us this year due to a failure on their part to put it on their calendar…Guadalupe Home had nine (9) mothers and ten (10) children attend to the gathering held on August 4^th in the Faith Formation Gathering area. For the Baby Shower, children are to be one year old or less. We had three (3) who were not. We have new members who have joined the Baby Shower Committee and we have a total of eleven (11) who are currently participating…We received a total of $169 for our ministry that helped with expenses…We will set the Baby Shower Date 2013 at our February meeting.
Havens Ministry-Meals on Wheels-Prayer Shawl Ministry: Carol spoke on this. We have added another couple to our Havens Ministry. Bulletin advertising has helped. This is a ministry in visiting people with Alzheimer’s Disease…Since our last meeting, in our Meals on Wheels Ministry, three (3) people have died and that reduces the number we visit to 4-5 people for our deliveries…For the Prayer Shawl Ministry, a question: Are we touching all those in need? Please contact Carol as needed. A devotional book, entitled, Mary, Undoer of Knots, is also handed out.
Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM): No report for this meeting.
St. Timothy: Bob gave this report. He had a handout for bulletin insertion. Msgr. Mike will make sure this is done. St. Timothy is our sister parish. We offer assistance in a variety of ways, including financial. The handout accents clothing needs which would be distributed through their Society of St. Vincent Paul group. Question: Is there a conflict with CAM and this ministry. The committee thought not. …Suggestion was made to have a donation box for clothing items. Msgr. Mike’s concern is the growing lack of space for this. Perhaps in front of the Parish Office building might be a better location. Craig and Bob will work on this and report back at the next meeting.
Haven for Hope: JJ & Laura reported on this. The next scheduled lunch that HT provides and serves is scheduled for October 6^th. Serving is done at 11:30AM. It is done at the St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen at the Haven, affectionately known as “St. Vinnie’s Bistro”.
Rosary Ministry: No report.
Christmas Under the Bridge: Dates were already determined at the January 2012 Social Concerns meeting. Christmas Under the Bridge bags would be available the weekend of November 3-4. Collection would then be November 10-11 and November 17-18.
Angel Tree: Again, dates were determined at the January 2012 meeting. Angel Tree: Trees go up November 24-25; Collection would be December 1-2 and December 8-9. A time line was given to the SC for its response. Craig will check with John to make sure the various accommodations at the BH are reserved for this. Those who will benefit from the Angel Tree include: Seton Home, Children’s Shelter, Hill Country Youth, Mentor Families, CAM, St. Timothy, Guadalupe Home, St. PJ’s and Blue Santa…Msgr. Mike requested that Kathy do a similar report on the Angel Tree project that was done last year. It was complete and quite detailed as to where the various gifts were donated.
Closing Prayer: Fr. Martin led the SC in a closing prayer. Next Meeting: October 20, 2012, 9AM-10:30AM, Faith Formation Building