St. Stanislaus Social Justice Committee

Minutes of Meeting

November 7, 2011 6:30

The Committee met at the rectory. Beth Mortensen chaired the meeting. Present were Beth Mortensen, Deanna Van Grinsven, Karen Clifford, Mary Ann Krems, Dennis Ferriter, Shelly Korger, Patricia Boylan.

Excused were Mary Ann Powell, Avis Pings, and Marcy Ferriter.

Sadly, Valentina Lawlor has resigned from the committee as has Marilyn Slusarski who both support and applaud our work but have other commitments.

Mary Ann Krems let the prayer to St. Stanislaus Kostka

OLD BUSINESS:

1. The minutes of the October meeting were approved by a motion made by Karen Clifford and seconded by Dennis Ferriter.

2 Updates.

1. Right to Life Mary Ann Powell is exploring avenues for more awareness and participation on the part of parishioners through information on the bulletin board and will be exchanging ideas with another member of the Portage County Deanery. Shelly has offered to also be a contact from the Diocese along with her husband Kevin to help out Avis and Mary Ann

2. Social Concerns: Pat Boylan has yet to receive any information from the Diocese. Mary Ann Krems will be looking into this.

3. Joint Social Justice Concerns meeting was held at St. Bronislava's with members from Wood, Portage and Marshfield county deaneries present. Concern regarding the fact that the Catholic Times fails to address social concerns other than Right to Life and the belief that Catholic Charities is not known for their services in the Portage County parishes.

4. Deanna Van Grinsven is looking for ways to promote and recruit volunteers for such as the Christmas Dinner with photos on the bulletin board. There is concern that the board is awkwardly placed behind the Script table and a solution will be considered. The same goes for the right to life board.

5. Dennis reported that the food collection for November was bountiful and delivered to Catholic Charities and was very much appreciated. Non food items were given to HIV/AIDS at the same time. Dennis will take the January collection originally assigned to Marilyn to Operation Bootstrap. Members were asked to help gather food collected at the Thanksgiving Day mass. Dennis will make the deliveries.

6. Karen reported that food provision at SPASH continues to thrive and that Mary Ellen Self suggests that cocoa be added during the winter months. About 35 grateful and appreciative students are being served.

7. Terri Knaapen will be contacted about stearing the serving of meals at the Salvation Army. Deanna will contact and Mary Ann will pursue finding of the cookbook and folder.

3 . Discussion and Action.

a. Christmas Dinner. Mary Ann reports that Mark and Josh Wachowiak along with Chris Doubek will be lead cooks. Pat and Mary Ann will host a meeting for volunteers after the Sunday Mass on Nov. 20 at 8:30.

Pat will contact Sue Suchocki about ordering cartons of scalloped potatoes from Cisco. Mary Ann will contact Lee Falkavage at People’s Meat Market about the meat and Tom Firkus at Copp's about the trimmings.

Volunteers will be sought to bake Christmas cookies. Sarah and Spencer Rogers will once again be asked to deliver carry out orders.

Mary Ann outlined what needs to be done by how many volunteers.

b. Gift tree. Rita Brilowski who is in charge of the Advent gift tree has asked that our committee deliver the proceeds to Prenatal Care and First Choice. This will be done twice during the season-on December 11 by Beth to Prenatal Care and on January 1 by Pat to First Choice.

APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET

A copy of the 2010-2011 budget was scrutinized. Income generated by parish giving $2900, an approximate and anticipated amount of $300 from the Thanksgiving collection and a recent anonymous donation of $400 brings the total to $3,600.

Amounts to some recipients were adjusted. Recipients were added, while others were dropped. Mary Ann will prepare and send a detailed report.

The meeting was adjourned and the committee will meet again on December 5. Respectfully submitted by Pat Boylan, Secretary