Mindy, Leslie, Louise, Ross, Bob, Rick, Michael, Mark, Pat, Clare, Julie, Bernie.
Julie Madden gave us a description of the vision for the new SJA Ministries International organization. Ministries International is an umbrella for lots of stuff going on at SJA. She said that Sister Parish is a model for these relationships in that the focus is on mutuality and systems change not charity. We brainstormed for a while about different ways to integrate all this into the parish. The next Ministries International meeting is November 29th at 7:30 a.m. Leslie is attending these meetings as a representative of the Sister Parish Committee. Others are always welcome as well.
We have 15 to 18 people interested in being part of the next delegation. August was the most popular time. We set a tentative date of 4 - 14 August 2006. A youth delegation is not part of the plan for the youth program at Saint Joan of Arc this year, so we will consider a "youth focused" delegation (youth accompanied by parent or guardian) if there is enough interest and more than can be accommodated in the August delegation. A possible second date of June 16 - 26 was suggested for a second delegation. The next delegate interest meeting will be 12/11/05 with $100 deposits due by January 6, 2006. Mindy will publicize the next interest meeting.
There has been a good response and we have collected $1370 to date. Of that amount, $675 was already sent to Efrain's family. The remainder will be sent to TN2 for the committee there to manage. If not all of the money is needed by his family, they can decide how to use the remainder. We will make suggestions such as relief efforts for Hurricane Stan, donating to their local clinic, or keeping as a fund for future health emergencies.
An application was made (Nov 1) to the Justice Fund for some money to send to SP to help with hurricane Stan relief. An amount of $500 was requested. This will be sent through Sister Parish, Inc who will use it to buy medicines that will be distributed by organizations in Guatemala such as the Red Cross.
Louise and Bob reported on the board meeting at Decorah last weekend. Louise was elected as a board member, changing her status from representative of the Northern Assembly to a director. Bob is going to contact the archdiocese to promote linkages and asked if anyone would like to help with that. Louise summarized the situation of SP in El Salvador. Fund raising was a big topic at the meeting. Goals were set and a consultant was hired to help out. They also talked about strategic planning. Louise volunteered SJA to host the October 2006 meeting and we agreed that we would do it.
Tim and Mary Beth will coordinate it. We will have a candle prep meeting on November 16 at 7:00 p.m. to get everything ready. We also need people to help with sales on Sunday Nov 20 after both the 9 and 11 masses (gym and church).
The book discussion is underway with a good turnout. The dates for the discussion meetings are:
You can purchase a book from the Sister Parish box on the book cart for $26.10. A few copies are still available.
Note: On November 16th St. Steven's is having their "A Day in the Life" event. People participating in this event will spend a day experiencing life as a homeless person.