Meeting Minutes – November 8th 2022

Ladies of Blessed Sacrament (LBS) – Meeting Minutes – November 8^th 2022

President Eileen Foster called the meeting to order at 1:30 and welcomed 23 women which included newcomer Fran Davis. Fran moved to Midland from Macomb County over a year ago. Welcome Fran! Our president read a prayer for our country on this mid-term Election Day.

Special thanks to Dorothy Kociba and Connie Latuszek for setting up a beautiful refreshment table and to Joanne Tanner, Isabel Viges, Sharon Capriccioso, and Deb Rey for providing snacks.  Susie Rademacher, Karen Adamcik, and Dorothy Kociba signed up to bring refreshments to our next regular meeting in February 2023.

Secretary Elaine White read the minutes of our October 4^th meeting. Minutes were previously posted on the Blessed Sacrament website and on the LBS FaceBook page.

Treasurer Tana Zemanek reported that our cider and donut fundraiser on October 16^th was very successful. A second cider and donut fundraiser will be on Sunday, November 13^th. Money raised from these two fundraisers will be used to cover the cost of the fleece for the blankets that we are making for the homeless and disadvantaged in our community.

Anne Boyd reported that our second blanket making session will be on Wednesday, November 9th from 9-2. We hope to complete the making of 50 blankets. All are welcome to come for all or part of the time.

Anne Boyd asked us to “Save the Date: Advent Time of Reflection” to be held on Saturday, December 3^rd from 9-2 at Assumption Church in Larkin Township. This event, co-sponsored by Blessed Sacrament, will be led by Sr. Nancy Murray.  Also “The Chosen”, which depicts the lives of the followers of Jesus, will be at shown at the AMC Theater in Saginaw November 18^th-20^th at 3 and 7 pm. Anne highly recommends both events.

Treasurer Tana reported a treasury balance of $14,754.11. At our last general meeting, we decided to gift $10,000 ($1,000 each) to ten non-profit agencies. Before our speaker and before a brief break for refreshments, each meeting attendee was given 10 tickets to use in voting for the organizations of their choice. We thank Judy Kawiecki, Tana Zemanek, and Ramona Lalka for coordinating the voting process. Votes were tabulated and announced at the end of the meeting.

Meghan Dahl, Behavioral Health Therapist from My Michigan Medical Center in Midland, was our speaker. Meghan is offering a five week series focusing on loneliness and social connection called “Bridge to Belonging”. This series is in collaboration with Midland Senior Services.

This free virtual Zoom series will be on Tuesdays, November 15^th to December 13^th from 1-2:30. Registration closes Thursday November 10th. Register by calling 989-837-9090 or at www.mymichigan.org/bridge. Meghan gave us strategies to use to decrease our feeling of being alone and to help us feel more connected and positive about our lives. We thank Meghan for sharing her expertise with us.

Instead of a business meeting in December, we will hold our annual Christmas potluck on December 6^th at 6 pm. The Meistersingers from Midland High will provide the entertainment. Watch the bulletin for more details. All are invited to bring a guest of your choice.

Tana Z and Ramona L announced the results of our voting. These ten charities will receive $1,000 each from Ladies of Blessed Sacrament:

1. Global Compassion
2. Blessed Sacrament Emergency Fund
3. Shelterhouse of Women and Children
4. Toni & Trish House
5. Sleep in Heavenly Peace
6. Emmaus House
7. Midland Community Former Offenders Advocacy and Rehab (MCFOAR)
8. Home to Stay
9. Wings of Mercy
10. Guatemalan Stove Project

 

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine White, Secretary