Court Holy Rosary #1476 Catholic Daughters of the Americas

A Note from the Regent

Ash Wednesday is upon us and it is a time to reflect on the suffering and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Scripture tells us:  “For thou art dust and to dust we shall return”.  What a befitting reminder of our way of life here on earth.  We are all a speck of dust and created equal, therefore we cannot look at another person and say we are better.  Ash Wednesday is when the ashes are imposed on our foreheads.  It ushers in the 40 days of Lent.  During this Lent let us reflect on how we are going to live.  Are we going to be forgiving, honest, and patient or are we going to be hateful, unloving, and impatient?  Remembering that we are ‘dust’ should remind us which choices to make.

Valentines Day is also upon us and a very happy occasion to show our loved ones how much we love them and care for them.  We have our Valentine Membership drive with an invited guest.  We also have a Valentine Bake Sale to help augment the proceeds we had from the last Christmas bake sale.  There are a lot of activities to look forward to.  Come and enjoy the spiritual and temporal rewards our Court offers to everyone.

Norma N. Locker

Worthy Regent

God’s love was revealed in our midst: He sent His only Son to the world that we might have life through Him.  1 John 4:9

National News

National Convention, July 13-17, 2010

There is a change in the convention delegate attendance form.  The first position in the list of attendees has been assigned to the newly elected Court Regent, and will be left open.  This will assure the Regent the opportunity to attend the convention.  An alternate will be substituted if the elected Regent cannot attend the convention.

Morality in Media

Once again Morality in Media (MIM) is campaigning for a “Turn-Off TV” day on February 14, 2010.  Some interesting facts about TV:

• Number of 30-second commercials seen in a year by an average child:  20,000
• Time per week that parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children:  38.5 minutes
• Time per week that the average child watches television:  1,680 minutes
• Hours per year the average American Youth spends in school:  900 hours
• Hours per year the average American youth watches television:  1500 hours
• Percentage of Americans that regularly watch television while eating dinner:  60%

Liability Insurance

All CDA courts are now covered under the Wells Fargo Liability Insurance from April 10, 2009 through April 10, 2010.  The contract covers not only meetings in parish halls or other parish facilities but extends as well to meetings or other events outside of the parish.

National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW)

During the NCCW convention in Jacksonville, Florida, the topic of the local court’s affiliation, being under the umbrella of the National CDA affiliation was addressed.  The National Headquarters were told that if a local court wanted to be affiliated with NCCW, it had to pay its own affiliation dues.  Each affiliation has two votes at the NCCW  convention.

New Court Charters   

The fee for a new court charter application is now $30.00.

40 Days for Life saves 2,000 babies from abortion

Operation Morning Star reports that since 2004, thousands of people have stood outside abortion facilities praying as part of 40 Days for Life.  David Bereit, the national Director, said, “We now have confirmed reports of at least 2,000 babies whose lives have been saved from the tragedy of abortion”.

Gardasil vaccine more dangerous than cancer

Life Site News recently reported that controversial human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, do little to reduce cervical cancer rates and may cause more illness than the disease they are designed to prevent.  It was claimed that a girl is more likely to die from an adverse reaction to Gardasil than from cervical cancer. 

At least 41 states have debated Gardasil mandates and state funding for this vaccine.  The debate is still going on in other states because of its cost.  At $360 for the three shot series, it is by far the most expensive immunization mandated.

Some Great Myths on Stem Cell Research

Myth 1 -  Stem Cells come only from Embryos

Fact:  Adult stem cells can come from umbilical cord, placenta and amniotic fluid.

Myth 2 -  Catholic Church is against stem cell research

Fact:  Catholic Church is against using embryos for stem cell research and not from other sources.  There have been successful adult umbilical stem cell therapies reported.  Some are for scar repair in the heart, cure for leukemia, and sickle cell anemia.  Adult stem cell research has shown cures but none for embryonic stem cells.

More news is available at the National CDA website at:

http://www:catholicdaughters.org

“Let the storm rage and the sky darken – we shall not be dismayed.  If we trust as we should in Mary, we shall recognize in her, the Virgin Most Powerful ‘ who with virginal foot did crush the head of the serpent.’”

By Pope Saint Pius X

State News

Quarterly Prayer Intentions

Here are the intentions for the quarter from the State:

• That as sisters in Christ, we will use our time, talent, treasure, words, smiles, and actions to truly help others experience God’s joy, love, and peace this Christmas season.
• That our service men and women will be surrounded and sustained by God’s love and protection, and that their families will be supported and uplifted by a loving and prayerful community.

One of the charitable state projects is the Cameron Colonia near Brownsville.  About 225 children are served with food, school supplies, clothing and other necessities.  Chairman Cathy Bittner states that school snacks are also needed.  Monetary contributions may be sent to: 

Cameron Colonia

Attn:  Alicia Ybarra

2215 Rancho Viejo

Brownsville, TX 78526

Read Across America

Read Across America celebration is scheduled for March 2, 2010 although it can be done on any date before the deadline submission of the report on March 31, 2010.

Texas State Convention, 2011

The dates for this Convention are April 28-May 1, 2011 with Carol Snowbarger, as Chairman.  Vice Chairmen are Cathy Bittner, Mavis Dugas, and Gennie Loggins.

Sheila Martinka, State Regent has announced that the Convention Hotel will be the Houston Westchase Marriott, formerly known as the Adam’s Mark Hotel.

“Do whatever He tells you”

Support for the Unborn     

January 22, 2010

will mark the 37^th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.  State Legislative Chairman, Peggy Supak enjoins all courts to plan some activity to overturn this decision.  Suggested activities include holding a life Mass, rally for life March, prayer service, or rosary.

Elections

Local and State Primary Elections will be coming up in March of 2011.  Election for Governor of the State of Texas will be one of them.  We must do all we can to learn about the candidates and their stance on issues.

Health Care Reform

To monitor legislation on the 111^th Congress and the Catholic Conference’s stand on Health Care Reform, go to the following websites:

http://www.usccb.org and http://thomas.loc.gov.

Swine Flu Precautions

Barbara Molloy, Chairman of State Activities mentioned the following precautions for a flu free situation:

• Wash your hands – keeping your hands clean can stop viruses that are living and breeding around you from causing infection.
• Cover your mouth -  Block sneezes and coughs with your sleeve or tissue, and wash your hands afterward.
• Avoid touching your eyes -  They aren’t covered with skin and can pick up the virus more easily.
• The most important tip of all -    IF YOU ARE SICK, STAY HOME!!!

TexasState website:www.texascda.org

…In loving and serving, we prove that we have been created in the likeness of God, for God is love and when we love, we like God.  This is what Jesus meant when he said, “Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

                         By Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Local News

Election of Delegates

Instructions for the election of delegates have been received from the National Headquarters.  We shall elect 3 of the 4 delegates allowed for our Court.  The newly elected Regent in May will occupy the vacant slot if she desires to attend the convention.  In addition, we shall elect 8 alternates.

The Niagara Falls beckons everyone to attend the 53^rd National Convention in Buffalo, New York on July 13-17, 2010.

Valentine Membership Drive

Chairmen for our Valentine Membership Drive Social are Joyce Bartos and Jeanette Rehak.  They have enjoined other members to help prepare the food and the program for the night. 

Carolyn Malik, 1^st Vice State Regent is going to be our guest speaker with the topic on “Circle of Love”.  Come to our meeting and enjoy the fellowship of your fellow sisters and prospective members.

Publicity

We would like to acknowledge the help of Violet Poncik in publicizing our activities in the local paper.  She volunteered to lead this committee since September 2009 and we have seen our activities already published.

Our monthly mass enrollments to the Catholic Clerical Student Fund (CCSF) is also published in the Houston-Galveston

With this publication one can follow the collection of mass enrollments every month.  Also included is the information on the progress of the burses which are open.   

Highlights from January 2010  Meeting

Marie Walsh, President of Catholic Clerical Student Fund (CCSF) talked about the history of this organization and described the various Mass cards available for everybody’s use.  She also explained how the burses work.

(Note:  At the latest report from Pat Hall, Treasurer of CCSF, the burse for Father Bill has approximately $9,000.  Please keep using the Mass cards for important events in your family)

Rosary for the Unborn

Court Holy Rosary # 1476 in conjunction with the Rosary Guild is sponsoring the rosary for the unborn on January 25, 2001 at 6:30 PM in Marian Hall for Holy Rosary Parish.  Several organizations in the Parish will be invited to lead the mysteries.

Generations of Faith -  Matt Maher Concert

Tina Hollopeter, Director of Religious Education had asked the help of some members to assist her in selling the promotional CDs and T-Shirts at the concert in the new Parish Hall.  About 8 people signed up and helped.  See page 5 for list of helpers.

Hospitality

The court offers refreshment every 1^st Saturday of the month to all parishioners after the Saturday evening mass.  Carol Hollas, Chairman of this committee was busy gathering some members who baked cookies and prepared the munchies and punch.  The members of the parish enjoyed a visit from their fellow parishioners under the pavilion.  Carol is Chairman from January to April 2010.  Rose Pederson will be chairman from May to August 2010.  We want to acknowledge the help of Janey Schumacher and Helen Torres who served as chairs from September to December 2009.

Bingo Crew

A new schedule of leaders and workers was distributed by Dot Scotka and Janice Rejsek, Chairs of this committee for 2010.  The copies of the schedule were given to the team leaders for distribution to their members.  If you did not get a copy or if you have any questions or concerns, you may call the chairs of this committee. 

We appreciate the Knights of Columbus #2801 for allowing us to serve the refreshments every Thursday Bingo night.  The Knights pay the Daughters a certain amount which helps our finances.

A Leader is:

-  Not about controlling but about influencing    

people in a positive way

-  Someone who uses power to serve

-  Somebody who encourage people to

follow them in wanting to do well

-  Willing to do what’s right – even if they are

the only one doing it.

Fund Raising -  RAFFLE

By Beverly Torres-Waddle / Vice Regent

Hello my Catholic Sisters in Christ. It's that time again for our Annual Raffle Fundraiser event which will be held on May 16th 2010. I am in need of donated Raffle Prizes to make this raffle a success. Here is an outline of when I need the prizes.  

Outline:

March Meeting- Finalize Prize list for Raffle to submit tickets, get tickets made and mailed off

April Meeting - Turn in Tickets and donated Prizes

May Meeting- Turn in Tickets and donated Prizes

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me on my cell. My number is 713-822-1736.

Fund Raising  –  MEAL & PROGRAM

We need a chairman to lead and plan the fund raising event on May 16, 2010 which will be combined with the drawing of the Raffle.  This will be the only fund raising we shall have for the period September 2009 - June 2010.

Financial Report for Christmas Party, December 11, 2009, KC Hall

Income:  Meal Tickets                             $849.50

Expenses:

            Meals paid to Lad’s                     $875.00

            Hall Rental (KC Hall)                    $200.00

            Gifts                                           $  84.00

            Decorations & prizes                   $157.08

            Punch & supplies                        $  75.00

Total Expenses                                    $1391.08

Amount Budgeted                                  $500.00

Amount over and above budget:              $41.58

Dankeschon! Gracie! Thank you! Salamat Po!  Merci beaucoup

To those who helped in the bake sale December 12 & 13, 2009:

-   Margaret Ainsworth, Mary Beth Haas, Norma Locker, Rose Pederson, Jeanette Rehak, Janey Schumacher, and Jo Short.

To those who helped in the Matt Maher Concert and GOF, January 16 & 17, 2010:

-  Cathy Bittner, Jill Sumpter, Janey Schumacher, Joyce Bartos, Jeanette Rehak, Helen Torres, Norma Locker, and Amelia Burke.

Member News

Prayer for the Sick

Alma Slawinski, Janice Rejsek, Leona Vincik,  Georgia Krejci, Charlotte Carlson, Georgiana & Julius Nowak, Hattie Ries, Harry Wolff, Dorothy & Herman Pospisil, Jacque & Melvin Holchak, and Bernie Brezina,

Our Sympathy to

Jo Short on the death of her mother Mary Werner

February Birthdays

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Humor Section:  3 Hymns

The Sunday before Christmas, a pastor told his congregation that the church needed some extra money.  He asked the people to consider donating a little more than usual into the offering plate.  He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns.  After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in the offering.

He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his congregation and said he’d like to personally thank the person who placed the money in the plate.  A very quiet, elderly, saintly looking lady all the way in the back shyly raised her hand.  The pastor asked her to come to the front.

Slowly she made her way to the pastor.  He told how wonderful it was that she gave too much and in thanks asked her to pick out three hymns.

Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed to the three most handsome men in the building and said, “I’ll take him and him and him.”

Source:  Senior News, January 2010

Next Meeting

Tuesday February 2, 2010

Marian Hall

Refreshments 6:30 pm

Meeting 7:15 pm 

Alma's Birthday

Alma

Alma with the group

Alma and Mrs Hudec

Alma and Norma

Alma and baby

Birthday cake

Attendees at Alma's Birthday party

Hospitality - January 2010

Carol Hollas with volunteers

Cookies served at Hospitality

Don Rejsek, Drew and Kris Sulak, Joe and Addie Dybala

Dorothy Ryan

Father with Joyce and Agnes

M. Broussard and Shirley Pavlock with their husbands.

Parishioners enjoying the punch

Parishioners in line to get refreshments.