Catholic Women convene
The Houlton Council of Catholic Women met for their March meeting on Sunday, March 6 directly after the 11 a.m. Mass, in the parish center. After co-president Janet Barker greeted guests — the Rev. Aaron Dan Bois, Deacon Albert Burleigh, the Rev. Naomi Sam-Kapakra from Houlton United Methodist Church, Gina Clark, Barbara Kelly, Veronica Holyoke and Sharon Lowery — she read the blessing before the luncheon.
Following the luncheon, Rev. Naomi gave an enlightening and heartfelt talk on how she was called to the ministry. Deacon Al and Fr. Bois thanked us for inviting them and we began our meeting with traditional prayers, and hymn.
Our February meeting was cancelled because of stormy weather, so Jane Stile, secretary, gave the minutes from the January meeting. The basket for the Seminarian Fund was available and Bernette Roach gave the treasurer’s balance. Lois Downing read an array of thank you notes.
Judy Reid advised that it is best to wait until Margaret Casey is available to decide on chafing dishes.
Lynette Dobbs helped with Alta Reardon a family of 11 people from Bancroft who had been burned out and lost everything. Betty Ann Childers reported on the Pizza Hut night, which was very successful and held in January.
Officers were unable to attend a state meeting in January due to poor weather conditions. Meetings are scheduled for Skowhegan in April,. Pittsfield in July, Waterville in October and Hallowell will host in January.
Volunteer hour sheets were circulated to be completed and turned in as soon as possible. They will be returned to the state for count.
Janet Barker discussed and reported on the valentine bag project. Workers on these were Alta Reardon, Janet, Molly Bailey, Janet’s granddaughter Aryus. They packed and delivered 36 bags on two days and were greatly appreciated by the recipients.
A shower for the animal shelter will be held at the April meeting. Items needed are food, paper towels, bleach, blankets, towels, kitty litter, cleaning supplies amd monetary donations.
Lois and Janet will compose a letter to the state approved by Council to submit the rummage sale as our project of the year.
Lynette read a letter regarding ordination of eight new deacons in August. An ordination reception for them will be given.
A new slate of officers and volunteers are needed to form a nominating committee. A paper was sent to members for prospective names.
Alta and Jane had leaflets with stations of the cross, Easter, and pocket sized prayer books for sale from the church store.
A rose bud near the tabernacle periodically will be supplied by Council and Betty Ann will be responsible for this. She will also be on the committee for the June banquet, the first Monday in June.
Sharon Lowery has returned from a trip to India. She will speak at one of our meetings, showing a video and having a basket for donations.
National Council of Catholic Women has a campaign project to fight again human trafficking. They wanted to designate St. Josephine as the patron saint but would like monetary help. On Tuesday, February 8 some members set aside some time to remember St. Josephine in prayer.
Patty Johnson, national president attended World Union of Catholic Women Organization in Jerusalem. A news release was available for anyone interesting in reading about this trip with 500 Catholic women gathering including 45 from the United States. Lynette provides for state gatherings and a message from the NCCW president.
Birthdays were recognized and prayer intentions were gathered. Louise Gillette has moved and her new address is 5 Four Seasons Circle, Apartment 1, 532-2391.
Janet heard from Cruz-Cruz and she misses everyone. Judy won the door prize. Judy brought up the fact no meetings should be cancelled because the food was already prepared for luncheon.
The next meeting is in April, date to be announced. Please watch the bulletin.
Oakfield seniors meet
Twenty members and guests of the Oakfield Senior Citizens met at the Oakfield snowmobile club for their March 16 meeting. We had a great lunch as usual. We have some great cooks in our club and some times they outdo themselfs.Thanks to everyone for the food. The blessing was said and the meal was enjoyed by all. Bob Locke led us in the Lord’s Prayer and the flag salute. We want to give our blessings and good wishes to Shirley Smith and Roger Ethier 2 of our members. They were married last weekend in Amity.Many happy years to you both.
Marge Sieler came to entertain us with her readings.She has quite a talent for her readings.We had a lot of laughs.Thank you Marge.Will know by the next meeting when the Easter dinner will be at school.
Attending was Tessie Barrett, Linda Bartlette, Bernice Campbell, Arlene Friel, Mildred Gagnon,Mary Lawler, Ursula Levesque, Wanetta Townsend, Bob and Delores Locke,Charlotte and Don Marley, Larry and Peggy Sanders, Romona White, Geneva Bell, Maeva Buckman, Gladys Coneal and two guests Carrissa Silvestri and Marge Sieler.
TOPS, ME 0233, HOULTON
by Lois Downing
Take Off Pounds Sensibly Chapter 0233 of Houlton met at the Aldergate building on High Street for its Friday, March 25 meeting. A large membership was in attendance numbering 23, 6 were KOPS, (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly).
We all gave the TOPS and KOPS pledges with Joyce Estey as leader. The loser of the week was Diane Folsom with runner-up Margaret Hagerman.
The skinny dish was held over. The contest person gave a review of the contest and revealed that Charlotte Marley had arrived at the ski lodge. Good for Charlotte. There will be two more weeks of contest.
Barbara Troy led us in several minutes of exercises. We each gave our victory for the week.
Joyce announced: March 26 in Van Buren, workshop; SRD in Augusta June 10-11; June 4, workshop in Houlton, hosted by chapter 0233. Brenda Lacostic, Barbara Grant and Denise Clark are on the committee and were reminded of the date.
The next meeting will be installation of new officers. Joyce solicated several items to be used for the installation. Charlotte Marley read some information given by Stephen Farnham, regarding cuts in Medicarte. Charlotte said when you get the information in the mail, please read carefully.
The next meeting will be April 1 at the same location and time. Weigh-in is at 8-8:45 a.m. and the meeting is at 9 a.m. and usually ends an hour later.
If you need more information about the chapter, please call Charlotte Marley at 757-8483 or Betty Ivey at 532-9653. See you at TOPS!
Island Falls news
On March 27, the third Lenten breakfast was held at the Whittier Congregational Church from 7-9 a.m. Don McKellar hosted this breakfast and was assisted in this endeavor with Sharon Grant cooking the pancakes, Candy McKellar making the toast and Don doing the eggs and he also fried all the bacon. French toast was also on the menu, but I am not sure who handled that.
Marion Hoar was our faithful waitress and was assisted by Verna Boone, who also helps out in the dishwashing department. There was also homemade jelly and maple syrup to go with all the good food, which was really enjoyed by the crowd who attended.
I had another nice letter from friend, Clayton Varney, a former resident, and he is now beginning to count the days until it is camp time on Mattawamkeag Lake. And I am sure there are others who live away (like in Rancho Cordova, Calif.) who are anxiously awaiting for their time on Mattawamkeag.
Susie York arrived home Sunday after spending some time on vacation in Aruba. Glad the sun was out to greet her return home.
The pesky red squirrels are still invading the bird feeders, but I make sure the little birds get in there to get some, too, and keep the feeders pretty full, as I’m sure the squirrels can’t eat it all, though they try. I have had lots of deer showing up in my back yard, as their tracks are everywhere. The other morning, about 6 a.m. I looked out and saw several of them wandering around on the crust. I surprised two of them one morning when I went out to get the paper and they were quite startled when they saw me and took off in two different directions. Three still arrive every evening for their snack of apples and bread.
