The Ladies of Blessed Sacrament

President Eileen Foster opened the meeting by welcoming the 30 ladies in attendance. We welcomed first-timer Teresa Chisholm to our group. Prior to the business meeting, everyone enjoyed 15 minutes of snacks and conversation. Snacks were provided by Aimee Kopiwoda, Judy Greene, Dorothy Kociba, and Carol Osier. Connie Latuszek and Dorothy Kociba set up the refreshment table.

Happy April birthday to Sue Gibson (04/08), Maria Quereizaeta (04/10), Chris Sharp (04/20), Eileen Foster (04/23), Mary Stutelberg (04/23), Joyce Cushman (04/28), Fran Davis (04/30), and Jan Morrone (04/30).

Copies of the minutes of our March meeting were placed on all the tables for everyone to read. The minutes were previously posted to our parish website and to our FaceBook page. Secretary Elaine White announced again her resignation effective June 2024 ending six years in that role. Elaine asked everyone to consider volunteering to be the next secretary and becoming a member of the Ladies of Blessed Sacrament board. It’s a volunteer job so no need to commit for years. Try it out to see if this position would work for you. We’ll have an election in November for the secretary position. In November 2025 we’ll vote for a new president and in November 2026 we’ll vote for a new treasurer. The board decided that LBS would benefit from new ideas from additional people.

Judy Kawiecki than introduced our guest speaker Beth DeVries, founder and director of Phoenix Community Farm (PCF). The mission of PCF is to meet the basic need for fresh, healthy produce. PCF grows and shares produce on their one acre farm located at 919 Smith Rd, the site of Windover High School. This non-profit was formed in 2019 and operates with three paid positions and lots of volunteers. Phoenix Community Farm produced and donated over 29,000 pounds of produce in 2023. They also educate the public about growing, harvesting, preparing, and preserving vegetables. For further information and/or to volunteer, please go to their website at phoenixcommunityfarm.com or call 989-875-9451. Judy Kawiecki then presented our speaker a check from LBS and also various gardening tools that were donated by the ladies.

Ramona Lalka then gave an update on our Tuesday, May 7th annual spring potluck lunch. All are welcome, bring a friend. More volunteers are still needed for our annual rummage sale to be held June 2nd through June 8th. Items can be dropped off on Sunday and Monday, Tuesday is reserved for sorting and pricing, Sale days are Wednesday and Thursday. Friday is half price and bag day. Please come and volunteer for any length of time. Lunch for all workers will be served each day.

Treasurer Tana Zemanek reported our current balance is $9377.95 as of the end of March. Anne Boyd then led us in a closing prayer and a bonding exercise where each person was asked to give their greatest strength. Please join us at our Spring Lunch on Tuesday, May 7th.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine White, Secretary

President Eileen Foster opened the meeting by welcoming the 29 ladies in attendance. Prior to the meeting, everyone enjoyed 15 minutes of snacks and conversation. Snacks were provided by Joanne Tanner, Sue Gibson, Linda Wilson, and Gail Schroeder. Dorothy Kociba and Connie Latuszek set up the refreshment table. Ladies were asked for prayer requests and then an opening prayer was said.

Ramona Lalka passed around a sign-up sheet for April refreshments. Ramona then thanked everyone who brought paper products and personal care items for Emmaus House in Saginaw. She reminded everyone that our annual spring potluck lunch will be Tuesday, May 7th at noon in the social hall. Mark your calendar now and please plan to bring a guest. Ramona also gave us an update on our annual rummage sale to be held 5th June through 7th June. A sign-up sheet was passed around for rummage sale workers. Items for the rummage sale can be dropped off starting Sunday June 2nd at noon.

Happy March birthday to Tana Zemanek (03/01), Char McDermott (03/15), Sharon Capriccioso (03/17), Linda Graf, Dorothy Kociba, Elaine Warakomski (all 03/22), and Rose Mikols (03/27).

Copies of the minutes of our February meeting were placed on all the tables for the ladies to read. Secretary Elaine White announced she will resign as secretary effective June 2024 ending six years in that role. Anyone interested in becoming the next LBS secretary, please contact President Eileen Foster.

Elaine White then introduced our speaker, Shannon Forshee, director of Camp Fish Tales. Camp Fish Tales is an outdoor, week long, barrier free 67 acre camp in northern Bay County. This camp provides individuals of all ages and all disabilities with opportunities to gain independence, friendship, and life-long skills. To register for summer 2024 camp sessions, go to www.campfishtales.org or call 989-879-5199. Campers swim, boat, and fish every day and get a chance to participate in many other activities. Camp Fish Tales is also in need of camp volunteers ages 18+.

Linda Graf then gave an update on our funeral luncheons. New cloth tablecloths have been purchased. Perfect Potluck is used to recruit workers and to solicit food donations. Linda said we need more women to serve as leaders. Training will be provided by our current leaders. Contact Linda Graf for more info.

Treasurer Tana Zemanek reported our current balance as of the end of February is $8927.95. Tana has a complete list of income and expenses for anyone to view.

Anne Boyd encouraged women to sign-up for Christ Renews to be held April 13th and 14th. This weekend is given for women by women. You can register online at www.www.blessed-midland.org Wendy Shields asked that we encourage any high school youths to sign up for Youth 2 Youth weekend on April 20th-21st. This is a weekend of self-discovery, faith, and connection with others.

Please join us at our next meeting on Tuesday, April 2nd at 1:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine White, Secretary

President Eileen Foster opened the meeting at 1:30 pm by welcoming the 34 people in attendance. Prior to the meeting, everyone enjoyed 15 minutes of snacks and conversation. Snacks were provided by Janelle White, Connie Latuszek, Linda Graf, and Wendy Shields with refreshment table set-up by Dorothy Kociba and Aimee Kopiwoda. President Eileen then acknowledged and welcomed first timers Annette Clark (leader of Blessed Sacrament Faith in Action formerly known as Adult Outreach) and Norma Perry. Ladies were asked for prayer requests and then an opening prayer was said.

Ramona Lalka passed around a sign-up sheet for March refreshments. She thanked all the ladies who came before the start of the business meeting to enjoy refreshments and conversation. She also thanked all those who brought donations for “Aaron’s Gifts from Home”. We’re grateful for our event photographer Elaine Warakomski. Ramona then reminded everyone of our Spring Potluck Lunch on Tuesday, May 7th. Please put the date on your calendar and bring a friend.

Happy February birthday to Sherry Babcock (02/05), Carol Landis (02/06), Diane Kosal (02/24) and Jan Natonski (02/25).

Secretary Elaine White had copies of the January meeting minutes on all the tables. January minutes have been posted to our FaceBook page and to Flock Notes. Elaine encouraged everyone to take one of the LBS brochures that Kristyn Russell from the parish office made for us and to use the brochure to encourage other ladies to come to our meetings and special events.

Judy Kawiecki then introduced our first speaker of the day, Donna Clarke who is the Executive Director of Saginaw Emmaus House. Emmaus House now has five transitional living homes for safe, sober housing for up to 33 women. They only accept women coming out of prison, jail, or a 30 day rehab facility. They currently have a waiting list. Women must be sober in order to stay in one of their homes. They require all women to attend a daily 12 step meeting, meet with their therapist weekly, acquire a sponsor and recovery coach, and attend the church of their choice on Sunday. Because of this religious requirement, Emmaus House is not eligible for government funding. Donna talked from her own personal experiences. Drugs took her to hell and back. It is very difficult to get off drugs but it is even more difficult to stay off drugs. Emmaus House encourages their guests to stay with them until they are prepared to live independently. It’s a tough program where recovery comes before family at this stage of overcoming addiction. We thank Donna Clarke for updating us on Emmaus House and sharing her personal experiences with us.

Linda Graf gave an update on our funeral lunches. The parish has purchased white round tables that seat eight. We have purchased colored place mats to go on the white tables and new trays to hold the centerpieces. We’ll be looking into buying some new cloth tablecloths for the food and dessert tables.

Treasurer Tana Zemanek reported our current balance is $8855.95 as of the end of January. She has a complete report of income and expenses for anyone to view.

Tana Zemanek then introduced our second speaker Debi Bartley-Ullum, Director of Aaron’s Gifts from Home. Her son Aaron Ullum was killed in Afghanistan in 2011 and the family created this non-profit in his memory. This 501 (c) (3) organization is made up of volunteers who lovingly pack goodie boxes for our troops deployed overseas. Care packages are sent four times per year. Their biggest expense is postage for all the donated gifts.

Judy Kawiecki then closed the meeting with a team building exercise and an inspirational message.

Please come to our next meeting on Tuesday, March 5th.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine White, Secretary

President Eileen Foster opened the meeting at 1:30 pm by welcoming the 23 people in attendance. Prior to the meeting, everyone enjoyed 15 minutes of conversation and snacks. Eileen asked for prayer requests and then led us in an inspirational prayer. We had an abundance of snacks which were provided by Susie Rademacher, Elaine White, Elaine Warakomski, Judy Kawiecki, Tana Zemanek, and Eileen Foster.

Secretary Elaine White provided copies of our last business meeting minutes. Minutes previously posted to our FaceBook page and to FlockNotes.

Elaine then introduced Pastor Lara Freeburg from Midland First Baptist Church which is located at the corner of Washington and Sugnet streets. First Baptist and Blessed Sacrament support many of the same non-profits in our community. Pastor Lara based her presentation on the “The Women at the Well” from John 4 verses 1-42. She provided a deep explanation of this Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus. Pastor Lara’s explanation was impactful and thought provoking. We thank Pastor Lara for sharing her knowledge with us.

Ramona then provided an update of future LBS events. A sheet was passed around to bring snacks to our February meeting. We are happy that so many women are coming at 1:15 for our “chat & chew” prior to our usual 1:30 business meeting. Ramona thanked everyone who brought gift cards to our Christmas potluck for the Midland High Meistersingers and who brought men’s underwear and socks to today’s meeting to be donated to Midland Community Former Offenders Advocacy and Rehab (MCFOAR). We wished a happy January birthday to Gail Schroeder (9th), Indira Oskvarek (14th), Connie Latuszek (27th), and Margie Hollingsworth (28th).

Treasurer Tana Zemanek reported our current balance is $9289.57. She has available a complete report of income and expenditures for anyone to view.

Judy Kawiecki then introduced our second speaker, City of Midland Police Community Relations Officer Brennon Warren. Officer Warren’s topic was “Home Safety and Situational Awareness”. Key points were to be alert and not become complacent. Lock your doors even during the day. Get a fireproof safe for your valuables and hide the safe. Make an emergency exit plan. If possible, use outdoor cameras such as Ring. Make sure you have working smoke alarms. Become familiar with your neighbors. Don’t fall for whatever the latest internet and phone scam is. We thank Officer Warren for sharing his expertise with us.

The speaker at our next meeting will be Donna Clarke from Saginaw Emmaus House. Bring your friends and join us on Tuesday, February 6th..

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine white, Secretary