Sacred Heart Altar Society Meets
The Sacred Heart Altar Society members met on Monday, Dec. 4, in the Msgr. Harry Mazurkiewicz Parish Center. The meeting was opened with a prayer followed by the standard financial reports. There was no correspondence to be read. Thirteen ladies attended the meeting.
The Spirituality Chair Marian Tajchman informed members that the month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. She also spoke about the many Holy Days that surround Mary during December. In addition to the Immaculate Conception observed on Dec. 8, we also observe the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12. Dec. 25, Christmas Day, honors Mary as the mother of the Christ Child and Dec. 31 is The Feast of the Holy Family. She reminded members that Dec. 6 is the feast day of St. Nick. The children’s Christmas pageant will be held on Christmas eve prior to the start of the Mass and the Sacred Heart School Christmas program will be held on Dec. 19. Church Preparation Co-Chair Earline Trlicek informed members that theAdvent wreaths are in place and that the altar cloths have been changed to purple for the Advent season. Decorating of the church and Narthex will begin the week prior to Christmas. Volunteers are welcome to assist with this task. Poinsettias have been ordered and donations continue to come in to the church office. It was reported that Peggy Sulik and member volunteers continue to care for the vestments and altar cloths as needed. Elaine Bodine reported that she is taking care of the altar server cassocks and other needs of the altar. She made everyone aware of the need for more oil and candle wicks with the additional candles now in place on the altar. Additional candles are also included in the Advent wreath during the Advent and Christmas seasons.
Under the Service Commission, April Feray reported on the donations made to the Clerical Endowment Fund for November. Karen let members know that a get-well card had been sent to a member during the previous month. If anyone is aware of a member in need of a get-well card, they are asked to contact Emma Proske. Visitation to the sick and home bound has not yet resumed and no funeral lunches had been served during the previous month. Anna Boyd reported that Sacred Heart would serve as volunteers at Second Chance during a week following the Christmas break and encouraged anyone to volunteer whenever possible.
Under the Leadership Commission, it was reported that there were no new members at this time. It was also reported that the last meeting report had been sent to the Fayette County Record.
Under unfinished business the nominating committee provided the slate of officers for the 2024 year as follows: President-Karen Janda, Vice President-Marian Tajchman, Secretary-Trish Pechal, Assistant Secretary-Carolyn Weishuhn, Treasurer-Anna Boyd, Assistant Treasurer-Earline Trlicek and Parliamentarian- Gracie Fucik. There being no nominations from the floor, the members voted to accept the slate as presented. Installation of officers will be conducted at the January meeting. President Janda recognized Elaine Bodine and Ronnie and Peggy Sulik for hanging up the Advent wreaths and placing the wreath on the altar. The dates of June 16 and Nov. 3 are reported as the hosting dates for the After Mass socials by Altar Society members. Doris Lidiak reported on the distribution of cookies to the homebound from our Parish. This is a program co-sponsored by theAltar Society and the CDA of Sacred Heart Parish. Eighty-Three cheer bags were distributed by volunteers from both organizations.
Under new business, members voted on Christmas gifts to be given to Father Brian and Kyle Janda. Discussion was also held on what month to hold the no bake bake-sale which is the annual fundraiser of the organization. The month of February was selected. Karen informed members that NCCW dues are now due and approval was granted for payment. A short discussion followed on the procedure of sending CEF enrollments to members when a family member passes away. The discussion was tabled to the January meeting to allow members to consider if there is a need for a change in the current procedure.
Having no further business to discuss, attendance prizes were drawn and distributed. President Karen Janda led the members in a closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024 beginning at 5:45 p.m.