These are highlights from the Social Concerns Meeting held on March 3, 2012.
Present: Craig Koett, Msgr. Mike Yarbrough, Fr. Martin Garcia, J.J. Hansbrough, Laura Hansbrough, Rolland Cole, Debbie Freno, Rita Farmer, Tess Welsch, Beth Roberts, June Montella, Carol Short, Jim Ermis,
Excused: Patrick Fetzer, Jeanne Henschell, Ralph Welsh, Melissa Smiley, Nancy Lee, Bob Short, Joe Lorenz, Monica Arce, Christine McClean, Kathy Fetzer, Bob Lorenz, Dan Wojciechowski, Rose Monday,
Handout: Craig handed out the highlights from the January 2012 meeting.
Opening Prayer: Msgr. Mike led the group in an opening prayer.
Cancer Support Group: Jim Ermis reported on the following: March 2012 marks the one year anniversary of The Cancer Support Group. Meetings are once per month lasting 1.5 hours. Over the year 34 parishioners and one member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish have attended. Attendance averages 9-10/meeting. Meetings consist of introductions and a short opening prayer service. Scripture readings, prayers appropriate for the sick and specifically for cancer patients, caregivers, family and friends…For attendees participation is entirely voluntary. Personal testimonies and discussions are confidential. Attendees agree that a general ‘Impressions’ of the meeting, without any information that would identify persons or personal information, can be published in the parish bulletin. The draft ‘Impressions’ is shared with everyone by email and is sent to Gloria in time for the following week’s bulletin. Editing ‘Impressions’ is at the discretion of the members. Each month during the week preceding the regular meeting the bulletin contains a reminder and an invitation to parishioners. Any special activities for the upcoming meeting will be included in that bulletin…Attendees and family members who have had a parent attend have provided very positive feedback about how helpful the group was and how, in some cases, a patient sought additional medical opinions and with the collaboration of their oncologists proceeded in a new direction for treatment. Helping and praying for each other is the main theme of the group. It is self-help and we will continue. We are awaiting reply from the American Cancer Society about providing a guest speaker, preferably an oncologist who will make a presentation and stay for discussion and questions. When the details are finalized we will announce them in the bulletin…The core of the group which attends every month talked about attracting more parishioners. Everyone knows so many people touched by cancer. It is still a frightening subject. It generates many fears about the disease, treatments, effects on family and friends. It scares people into thinking about their mortality - that uncomfortable, sometimes unable to be faced fear, and it scares spouses and siblings and parents and children. The good news is that the medical profession has made great strides in treating and managing many types of cancer. We see that in the continuing longevity of our members. We see prayer doing unbelievable things. We see that cancer in the face of faith and hope cannot take away the grace that brings peace to patients and caregivers. The Kingdom of God is where you are…People touched by cancer quickly develop the ability, if that’s the right term, to talk about it, face it, and in each one’s own way handle it, somehow. We see courage, optimism and encouragement for others…Finally: this summary serves as our annual report. We thank this committee and the parish for all its support; you have given us everything we have needed and asked for. In whatever way we might help, you only need ask. God bless everyone.
Divorce-Widow(ed)-Separated Ministry: Dan was unable to be with us today due to the meeting takes place at the same time as Social Concerns.
Baby Shower Ministry: Tess indicated that there is a tentative date of August 4^th for this June accented that we have twenty-one (21) blankets available at this time.
Havens Ministry, Meals on Wheels & Prayer Shawl Ministries: Carol reported on this. Havens Ministry deals with those who have Alzheimer’s. We have up to four (4) parish ministers who attend to this…The Meals on Wheels continues…Prayer Shawl Ministry meets monthly. There are details
on in the bulletin. They are considering having an evening meeting as well. The challenge is to find space…There is also a ministry entitled, “Threads of Hope” that deals with pre-mature babies. Help is given with caps, blankets and shawls…Label cost for these will be borne by the parish.
CAM – Christian Assistance Ministry: Rita reported on this. The St. Timothy Blue Jean and Tennis Show Drive 2012 had a total of 12 pairs of jeans and 8 pairs of tennis shoes. These were given out to CAM, 7 jeans, 7 shoes, and St. Timothy 5 jeans, 1 pair of shoes. There was also other miscellaneous clothing and food items distributed to CAM and St. Timothy during the month of February from our Holy Trinity family…We will be having an April Drive for CAM for Children’s Clothing. Time is to be determined.
Rosary Ministry: Beth reported on this. We celebrated six (6) months of this ministry on March 1^st. As of February 29^th, we have 107 registered members…Military Rosaries in the amount of 500 were taken to Fr. Same in February to distribute to troops, another 143 quality checked, packed and ready and 198 out being made…Beaded Rosaries had 365 received with another 198 out being made…We are looking currently for other ministries who might be able to use the rosaries we make. We have a surplus of beaded rosaries, and have just started talking to Cathy Fragoso Diaz to see how we could help with ACTS/Mexico retreats, and will follow up with other new avenues suggested by our members at the March meeting…Wounded Warriors was also suggested as another ministry to help. Beth Roberts will follow up on this…We would like to get the word out that we want to work directly with other ministries and committees in the parish. We feel comfortable with the number of members trained at this point. Advanced planning – in months – is extremely important and dependent upon the type and number of rosaries needed. We have the ability and talent amongst our members to make many types of rosaries and want to contribute to parish needs.
Haven for Hope: Laura & JJ reported on this. In January, HT served 341 meals. All the dates for Lent have been filled! HT’s next time is Jun 2^nd.
Habitat for Humanity: Laura and JJ again reported. They have coordinated with the various parish groups for the lunches we are to provide. The covenant signing is scheduled for the 11:15AM Mass, March 11^th. Our homeowner is Guadalupe Balderas. The Joshua Build – which will be done here at HT – is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13^th, from 8:30AM-2PM. It will be at the upper parking lot, above the Banquet Hall. Lunch is provided by the KCs. The actual build at the site begins on Friday. 16^th, 8AM.
Closing Prayer: SC ended its meeting with prayer led by Fr. Martin.
Next Meeting: Saturday, April 28, 2012, 2012, 9AM-10:30AM, Faith Formation Building