Town and Country FCE Club

The Town and Country FCE Club met March 8 at the home of Darlene McCain. The devotion, given by McCain, consisted of two readings pertaining to St. Patrick's Day. Roll call was answered by a disaster plan. Pennies for "Coins for Friendship" were collected.

Mary Klaproth, president, conducted the business meeting. McCain reported on some of the needs for Hope Children's Home and members will bring various school supplies to the April meeting to be delivered to the Hope Children's Home.

The club will put up an educational fair booth at the SEMO District Fair in September. Sue Jones will be the contact person for the project. The club will purchase a luminary in memory of loved ones for the Relay for Life in April. Lois Seabaugh will be in charge.

All club members will bring books to the April meeting, and in addition Jones will purchase 20 books for the club. All books will be given to newborns and children at SoutheastHEALTH.

The following announcements were made:

All Clubs Day is April 2 with all members planning to attend. The spring district meeting will be in Farrar, Mo., April 24.

Members brought items for Easter treat sacks to be given to the students at Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center at 11:30 a.m. April 3. All members brought a doll which Klaproth will take to Jefferson City, Mo., for Child Advocacy Day on March 28.

The program was presented by Klaproth on disaster preparedness. In addition, all members participated in the discussion of "Hearth Fire No. 19, Prepared for a National Disaster."

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 12 at the home of Linda Thompson. The program "Made in the USA" will be presented by McCain.

St. Mary CCW

St. Mary Council of Catholic Women held their meeting on March 15 in the Huels Room. Kate Schaefer opened the meeting with prayer.

Mary Yaremko presented the program on the liturgy and customs of the Ukraine Catholic Eastern Rite Church. She showed pictures of several of the churches and told of their distinct features. The closest church is in St. Louis. Singing is a cappella. Icons play a part in the furnishings, but no statues or the stations of the cross. On display was a basket of decorated Easter eggs and the embroidered towel which covers them when taken to Easter services for a blessing. A number of other beautiful items were shown, including the icons given to her when she was married.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Pat Eftink distributed copies of the treasurer's report.

Commission reports:

Church commission: Brenda Kuhn distributed copies of the bishop's letter on religious freedom.

Leadership commission: Diane Schaefer and Judy DeClue thanked all who brought items for the game basket for the spring assembly silent auction. Diane Schaefer attended St. Vincent de Paul PCCW meeting where the program was on human trafficking. Kansas City and St. Louis are among the worse cities because of their location.

The nomination committee had no report.

A thank-you note was read from Gardis Kump for the birthday card and remembrance.

Portions of the Birthright annual report were read. A shower will be held on April 29 at its office at 2633 Hopper Road in Cape Girardeau.

Four members attended the Region VII retreat held March 3 at St. Joseph Church in Scott City.

Registrations for the spring assembly April 20 and 21 should be made by April 8. Commission chairwomen and officers should give information to Pat Eftink by April 1. Other members should send registration forms and payment directly to DCCW.

Names and addresses of the RCIA class along with cards were furnished for those wishing to send notes. Individually wrapped candy for the Easter egg hunt was collected.

Information on the Marian Conference was available. Several who attended in January told about the priest who spoke about relics and the many that were on display. It may be possible to have them here and invite all the area parishes.

There will not be a meeting in April due to the spring assembly. The officers' meeting and dinner will be served April 19. The next meeting will be held May 17. Kuhn will arrange for the annual May crowning. Mary Ann Hennecke will invite the clergy as their and Lucille Zerr's birthdays are celebrated.

A special thank you was expressed to Yaremko for her informative and interesting program. Also, thanks was given to Dolores Gibbar and Becky McLean for serving the refreshments.

--From staff reports