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Sacred Heart-LIFE Meeting
June 3, 2023

Attendees:
Ross Martinez
Pete Roberts
Shannon Lowery
JJ Arias
Peter Boylan
John Shoemaker
Ellen Markwalter
Ann Harper
Joann McClure
Don Allen
Laura Pangia

Our meeting was enjoyable and filled with discussion, covering from now through August. We opened with the Our Father.

We will be leaving the Baby Shower crib up for another week because Ross had taken the fully loaded crib items to the pregnancy center and upon returning to the hall the crib had four large bags of baby items in it! Leaving it up for another week will enable others to add to these items.

Ross informed us that the Supreme Knight will donate $400 if we raise over $2000 or more to support the pregnancy center. We will donate all the money raised in the BBB to Caring Solutions and the extra $400 to the Kolbe Center in Macon, which is the only Catholic crisis pregnancy center in the Diocese of Savanah.

Ross informed us that during the KofC State Convention the Knights of Columbus councils collected over $54,000 in donations for the Kolbe Center. The Supreme Knight’s Council will increase Council donations by 20%, up to $5,000 per Council.

If we can coordinate it, at some point in the near future we would like to have someone from the Kolbe Center and Caring Solutions’ local pregnancy center, come to Sacred Heart to talk to us collectively to the Campus Catholics, CCW and the Knights to discuss their organization’s operations.

The Baby Bottle Boomerang began on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023. Ross had signed up for 125 bottles. This fund raiser ends on Father’s Day, June 18, 2023, but we close out in July to give stragglers a chance to turn in their donations. Sacred Heart parishioners have historically donated 25% or more of all funds collected from all participating Milledgeville organizations.

To encourage people to return their bottles, we will be putting announcements of the collection times, different ways to return them (box in the back of the church, give them to Cindy in the office, etc.) in the bulletin. We will also ask Father Young and Father Bryan to make announcements from the pulpit after Mass.

We discussed ways to collect Baby Bottle money. Some people collect their change all year long and put it in the bottle. Some people just write a check and put that in the bottle. Some donate any money they find on the ground. Ann Harper consolidates the money and takes it to the bank to be deposited. A check will be cut in late July so we can give the center one check, which simplifies things and enables Sacred Heart to know how generous we were. J

We discussed the fact that this is a tax-deductible donation. There are papers in the bottles to fill out so that the pregnancy center can send a verification of each person’s donation.

The Father’s Day Banner will be put up on June 14, 2023 and taken down June 21, 2023.

Spiritual Adoption will begin in August 2023 and end on Mother’s Day 2024. We put an explanation of what Spiritual Adoption is and how it works in the bulletin in July along with a copy of the card we pass out, which includes the prayer. The card is to be separated so that the adopter will have the part with the prayer and the other part will be filled out so that the adopter can get a monthly email of the development of the baby. By putting this announcement in the bulletin in July, people will have a chance to choose a name and gender of the baby.

The adopter can choose the gender and name of the baby and pray that this child will not be a fatality of abortion throughout the 9-month period. Some people fill out the card right when we pass them out. Others take them home and return them the next week by dropping them in the collection basket or handing them to a LIFE team member.

This year we may include the story of Izabella, Diana Roger’s granddaughter. We might also have developmental baby models at the table to show parishioners when the cards are handed out. Ross will be checking into this.

Ellen and John told us about an organization called Walking With Moms in Need which helps pregnant women know what resources are available in their areas to help with their needs during pregnancy and after the baby is born. This resource enables people and churches to answer the question, “Now what do I do?” John and Ellen brought some resource lists that can be used to put together this resource. Twenty parishes in the Archdiocese of Atlanta are associated with Walking With Moms in Need.
John will see if he can get it together to present to Father Bryan when he gets here.

Knights of Columbus has donated $1000 to the FOCUS missionaries. They and the Campus Catholics undertook walking alongside a young pregnant woman this past academic year.

Peter Boylan recommended a couple books for summertime reading. Pilgrim’s Progress and Bhagavad Gita. Pilgrim’s Progress will enable you to see a Christian walk through life with God and Bhagavad Gita had a concept of two gods which seemed to imply the Holy Trinity.

Our next meeting will be June 3, 2023 at 3:30pm.

Sacred Heart-LIFE Meeting
March 11, 2023

Attendees:
Ross Martinez
Shannon Lowery
JJ Arias
John Shoemaker
Ellen Markwalter
John Geist
Laura Pangia

Our meeting was short and to the point, covering from now until June.

We will be having the Baby Shower and the crib which is usually set up by Dan Smith. Ross is going to check into getting the crib if Dan is busy caring for Susan.

The Caring Solutions Fund Raiser is on May 4, 2023 and will be held in Macon at the Coliseum with the guest speaker being Tim Tebow. There are two ways to attend: 1) Become a Sponsor with donation levels from $10,000 to $500. These levels include anywhere from 10 tickets down to 2 tickets to the dinner table plus entrance into VIP Reception to meet Tim Tebow. 2) You can purchase individua tickets to the dinner at $50 per guest by calling (478) 755-1343.

The Baby Bottle Boomerang will begin on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023. Ross will again ask for 125 bottles. This fund raiser ends on Father’s Day, June 18, 2023, but we close out in July to give stragglers a chance to turn in their donations. Ross informed us that the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus will donate $400 if we raise over $2000. We will donate all the money raised in the BBB to the crisis pregnancy center and the Knights will donate the extra $400 to the Kolbe Center in Macon.

Ross spoke about the Kolbe Center. In 1988, pro-lifers effectively shut down Macon’s only abortion clinic with their persistent protesting and wreath-laying at the dumpster where fetal baby parts were discarded. The doctor who performed abortions later vowed never to perform abortions again after a teen died days after a procedure. He surrendered his life to Christ, and Macon has not had an abortion clinic since. The Kolbe Center, is a Catholic organization which helps women with crisis pregnancies “in adherence to Catholic teachings” and on the “belief in the sanctity of the human person and the dignity of human life.” In 2022, The Kolbe Center served 608 families vs 365 in 2021. They also provided 425 pregnancy tests and 155 ultrasounds. Through 1/19/23, they already had 362 visits vs 197 visits in all of Jan. 2022.

Ross and Jody Klaassens went to the March for Life that was held in January in Macon and sponsored by the Kolbe Center. Hopefully next year there will be enough prior notice of the event for more people to attend.

Ross reminded us of the Memorial Day ceremony, where the Honor Guard of the Knights of Columbus perform, held at the Georgia Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery. Things had tapered off because of the pandemic but now are beginning again on May 29, 2023.

There was discussion on asking FOCUS missionaries and Campus Catholics to join us as they were so enthusiastic about helping the young woman with her decision to keep her baby.

Ellen told us about an organization called “Walking With Moms in Need” which helps pregnant women know what resources are available in their areas to help with their needs. Ross thought of 7 such places in Milledgeville that he knows of. John and Ellen will check into what it takes to put this resource together and how to become a part of Walking With Moms in Need.

Our next meeting will be June 3, 2023 at 3:30pm.

Sacred Heart-LIFE Meeting
December 3, 2022
Attendees:
Ross Martinez
Laura Pangia
Shannon Lowery
LouAnn Lucky
Don Allen
JJ Arias
Mary Becker
Joann McClure

We opened with the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)
On January 18, we will set up the Crosses for Life display after the noon Mass in memorial of the Roe v Wade anniversary. We will ask the Campus Catholics to help us. We will take them down on Thursday, January 26, 2023 after the noon Mass.
Ross handed out the 2023 Calendar of Events and he had invited all the people who say the Rosary during the week to the meeting so we could invite them to participate in the Rosary for Life Novena, which will begin January 18, 2023 and end January 26, 2023. Ross handed out a sheet with dates, Mysteries and suggested intentions. We have volunteers for all the Masses. Thank you all!
We discussed making handout cards to state the dates for the Novena for Life and to invite parishioners to come join us. They are to be given out the week before, after all the Masses and left in the pews for daily Mass attendees. An announcement will be placed in the bulletin in advance of the event.
We were reminded that the Christmas Program and the Birthday Party for Jesus are on Saturday December 17, 2022 after the Saturday Vigil Mass. Don’t miss it! You never know what the shepherds will be up to.
We were also reminded that Ash Wednesday is on February 22, 2023! The Knights of Columbus will be doing the annual Fish Fry beginning the Friday after Ash Wednesday (February 24^th).
There was discussion of welcoming new parishioners and giving them an open invitation to join any of the various ministries of the parish. It may even be called the R&M Newcomer Committee! Mary Becker expressed some interest in possibly heading up this committee.
We also had a discussion about a past ministry called Camp Good Grief which helped children who were grieving the loss of a parent or other family member. We should possibly investigate the status of this outreach ministry. Might somehow work with the Bereavement Group.
Our next meeting will be March 4, 2023. Same Bat time, same Bat channel. (OK, so how many of you know what “Bat time, Bat channel” means?? I had to ask!!)
Attached is the Rosary Leader’s “Novena For Life” schedule.

Novena For Life
Jan 18 through Jan 26, 2023

The following individuals have volunteered to lead the Holy Rosary on the specified dates for the intentions as stated. The comments preceding the Rosary are just suggestions and are there for your edification. It is preferred that something be said about the devotion prior to starting the Rosary.

Jan 18 (Wednesday): (12:10 Mass LuAnn) Today is the first day of our Nine Day Novena For Life. We will be praying a different Mystery every day prior to each Mass for the next nine days in support of some facet of life.
Please join us in praying the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary as we pray for an End to Abortion, for the Sanctity of Life and for the Conversion and Salvation of those poor souls who are performing, supporting or advocating abortions in any manner.

Jan 19 (Thursday): 12:10 Mass JoAnn) As we continue praying the Novena For Life, Please join us in praying the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary for those struggling with life issues and who are in need of prayer.
Jan 20 (Friday): 12:10 Mass Don) Today we will pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary for those who are Abused and Neglected, especially for those who are defenseless against their tormentors.
Jan 21 (Saturday): 5:50 Mass Ross) Please join us in praying the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary for all women who have had, are having or thinking of having an abortion, and for those who encouraged or assisted them, that they may come to know the Grace, Mercy and Forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jan 22 (Sunday): 9:00 Mass JoAnn) - 11:15 Mass Shannon) Please join us as we continue the Novena For Life by praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary for the lives of all the Unborn whose lives are in danger of abortion, and for the Conversion and Salvation of those poor souls who are Performing, Supporting or Advocating Abortions in any manner.
Jan 23 (Monday) 12:10 Mass JoAnn) As we continue the Novena For Live, let us pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory and for all the poor souls throughout the world who are dying and who have no one to pray on their behalf.
Jan 24 (Tuesday) 12:10 Mass Laura) Please join us in praying the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary as we celebrate and honor all lives especially those poor souls who do not know the Love and Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jan 25 (Wednesday) 12:10 Mass LuAnn) As we continue the Novena For Life, please join us as we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary and pray for an End of Assisted Death, Abortion, Euthanasia, Genocide and for the life of those on Death Row.
Jan 26 (Thursday) 12:10 Mass JoAnn) On our final day of our Novena For Life, please join us in praying the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary as we pray for the Heart and Soul of our Nation, that God in His Great Glory will wrap his Loving Arms around our Country as we go forth into the future.