Most Blessed Sacrament
Human Concerns Committee
Minutes 9/20/2011

Present: Pat Hilmer, Mary Gibbons, Kelly Butzlaff, Jan Cleaver, Diana Streblow, Carolyn Cada, Jenny Thorn

Absent: Atek Rec, Judy Silverthorn, Belinda Kuester, Sara Pritzel

The meeting was called to order and led in prayer by Mary Gibbons

May minutes were approved.

A change in meeting night and time was discussed. The fourth Wednesday at 6 p.m. was set as a possible meeting night, to be verified with absent committee members.

Update Officers

 Kelly Buttzlaff agreed to co-chair the committee with Mary Gibbons for one year. Pat HIlmer will continue to act as secretary.

Fox Cities convoy of Hope

Mary presented information on the event which takes place Saturday, October 8 at FVTC in Appleton. Committee involvement is up to individuals. Kelly will send information to the church office for printing in the bulletin. Mary will check on putting up posters for the event. Committee members were also asked to pray for participants. The event includes free groceries, health checks, haircuts, job fair, family portraits and other activities.

Warming Shelter Update

MBS will be installing outdoor lighting and a fence to address Sienna Apartment tenant concerns. Angie McCarthy will be acting as the shelter’s executive director. Area churches and organizations have offered assistance with meals. The shelter will open from October 15 to April 15 nightly at 8 p.m. and serve an evening meal. The parish is working with the food pantry to coordinate a bagged breakfast. Mary asked the committee if it might be willing to consider taking a meal night once a month, and also discussed ideas for involving other groups, such as the parish women’s group. The first year goal of the shelter is to keep homeless individuals warm and safe through the winter.

Military Bulletin Board

Mary emphasized the need to remind parish members to bring in pictures for the shadow boxes on display at both parish sites. Diana volunteered to monitor the shadow box at the St. Peter site, while Jenny will check on the one at the St. Mary site, to make sure that the boxes remain good shape.

Poverty Simulation

Head Start will be coordinating a poverty simulation on Friday, November 18, from 8 a.m. until 12 noon at the Oshkosh Convention Center. Kelly Buttzlaff offered volunteer opportunities for the event to committee members. Mary offered to mention the event at the upcoming Women’s group. If anyone is interested in volunteering they should contact Kelly. Mary proposed that the committee donate $100 to Head Start to offset the cost of the simulation (total cost was $500). The committee approved the proposal.

Care Ministry Update

By October 6 six volunteers will be ready to begin serving with the Care Ministry. The program is now looking to connect these lay ministers with individuals in need. Notices will be put in the bulletin and Father Jim will make announcements at Mass. Kelly suggested that the committee give cards and roses to each of the six volunteers.

The Back to School Fair went well.

Kelly will be putting something in the bulletin for Right to Life.

Fair Trade Sale

The committee decided to commit to a booth at the Lourdes Craft Sale on Saturday, November 19, at a cost of $30. Jenny will check into goods from Green Bay or Appleton. Jenny committed to 2 weekends for the sale, Saturday and Sunday, November 19 and 20, and Saturday and Sunday, November 26 and 27.

Christmas Giving Trees

Jenny and Diana will be pickingup/making tags for the giving trees to be put up in November at both church sites.

Mary Gibbons closed the meeting in prayer.

Respectfully Submitted,

Pat Hilmer