Sacred Heart Altar Society September Meeting Report

The Sacred Heart Altar Society members met on Monday, Sept. 12, in the Msgr. Harry Mazurkiewicz Parish Center. The meeting was opened with a prayer followed by the standard reports by the secretary and treasurer. Seventeen ladies attended the meeting. Five thank you notes were read for remembrances received during the previous month. Under the Spirituality Commission, a report was presented on the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary. The Church Preparation Co-Chair ladies had nothing new to report at this time. They continue to carry out the duties of the altar as needed. The flower committee chairperson, Judy Langhamer reported that flowers continue to be donated by members of the Society, however, there is a need for more participants for flower donations since members are being lost by death, illness, etc. Replacement membership has not grown enough to replace the need of lost members. A discussion followed and it was decided to invite all parishioners to donate flowers for weekend Masses. A notice will be placed in the bulletin to announce this change and invite parishioners to participate. A need also exists to maintain the flowers on a regular basis while on the altar. Karen volunteered to assist for now with Marian Tajchman volunteering to be the replacement in the future. Peggy Sulik continues to care for the vestments and altar cloths. Under the Service Commission, Nina Blaha gave her report on the donations to the Clerical Endowment Fund during the previous month. She also reported that six charity and sick cards had been sent since the last meeting. Barbara Schellberg reported on CEF Enrollments that had been made during the months of May thru August for over 90 birthday celebrations and in memory of deceased members and family members. Visitation to the sick and home bound has not yet resumed. Judy Langhamer reported that one funeral lunch had been served with the family providing catering services. Ladies of the funeral lunch committee prepared coffee so there were no expenses for this service. Anna Boyd reported that the volunteer work at Second Chance continues to move at a rapid pace and encouraged anyone to volunteer whenever possible. Sacred Heart will volunteer again in early October.

Under the Leadership Commission, it was reported that there were no new members at this time. Debbie Greene volunteered to check with Father Brian on the possibility of holding a recruitment weekend to encourage new membership. It was also reported that the last meeting report had been sent to the Fayette County Record. Under unfinished business President Janda thanked everyone who helped with and donated to the after Mass social hosted by the Altar Society in June. Judy Langhamer gave a report on the Brenham/La-Grange Deanery ECCW meeting hosted by the La Grange ladies on July 26. Thirty-nine ladies attended including seven ladies from La Grange. Father Brian also attended the meeting as well as one other priest from the diocese. Under new business, it was announced that the Altar Society will again host the social after the 9 and 11:30 a.m. Masses on Sunday, Oct. 2. Earline Trlicek volunteered to assist with preparations and several ladies gave monetary donations to be used for the purchase of food items. Anna Boyd collected the donations. It was also reported that no third group had yet been appointed for the funeral lunches and that one is still needed. If no one volunteers to lead the group two groups will be established instead of three. A discussion then followed regarding Father Brian’s request for donations to cover the cost of new statues and crucifixes for the school. A motion was presented and passed to make a monetary donation. A motion was also presented to change the requirement of two audits per year to one to be completed after the end of the calendar year. The motion passed unanimously. Members were reminded to support the car wash to be held in the church parking lot in support of the youth of the Parish. 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 at 6:45 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting was held on Monday, Oct. 3, beginning at 5:45 p.m.