HFB Social Justice
For minutes from meeting on May 21, 2020 click HERE
“Holy Family of the Bluffs” Social Justice Meeting
Minutes of February 20, 2020
Opening Prayer – Prayer led by Father Moser.
Meeting called to order by Father Moser at 3:02pm.
Members present: Cathy Wagner, Donna Johnson, Mary Kernan, Nadine Steines, Marcella Hale,
Pat Wellendorf, Connie Mettille, Lynn O’Hara, Steve Karabatsos, and Father Moser.
Members excused: Karen Olson, Joe and Mary Egan.
Minutes and notes of November 7, 2019 meeting [with addendum] were read and approved.
Old Business:
1 – New parishioner information packet / welcoming committee. Pat Wellendorf and Lynn O’Hara
met with Father Moser. Lynn went online to find more ideas and possible content. A welcome
packet could include: history of parishes, liturgical ministry explanation & signup, explanation
of HFB committees & councils (with contact persons), local dentists & doctors, Kee High
coupon books, contact numbers, web site, pastoral council chairpersons, Main Street Matters
brochure. Lynn and Pat will continue working on this welcome packet; more will be added.
St. Patrick Church (Waukon) does NOT have a welcome packet.
2 – “Neighbor helping Neighbor”. Karen Olson coordinate sending out Christmas cards to some of
our homebound and nursing home residents who are parishioners. Cathy Wagner volunteered
to help Karen Olson with sending out cards in the future. Father Moser will provide a
parishioner list of homebound & nursing home residents for Committee members.
3 – “Act of Kindness” collection – recent and future recipients were discussed.
November 2019 Fuel assistance
December 2019 Retirement fund for Religious
January 2020 Place of Grace [Catholic Worker House in La Crosse]
February 2020 Dubuque Catholic Charities
March 2020 LIFT
April 2020 layettes
May 2020 Stead Family Children’s Hospital – University of Iowa
Suggested or recommended
* Catholic Relief Services: Operation Rice Bowl * domestic abuse center in area
* Jana Troendle – education fund for her children * Daughter of Pastor Sedar
Thank you note from Place of Grace was read and shared.
4 – Prayer Chain. Brief discussion held; names from each parish to help in coordinating and making
phone calls / text messages / emails were offered. Lynn O’Hara will coordinate next step.
New Business:
- Unplanned – a movie that was shown at St. Patrick Parish (Waukon) several months ago.
Lynn O’Hara and Connie Mettille attended. They asked – should HFB host a presentation
of this movie? This question will be addressed at our next meeting.
- Layettes (created by HFB women) are now being distributed at LIFT.
- Next meeting will be on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 3:00pm. Meeting adjourned at 4:16pm.
scribe: Father Moser
“Holy Family of the Bluffs” Social Justice Meeting
Minutes of February 14, 2019
Opening Prayer – led by Father Moser.
Members present: Nadine Steines, Connie Mettille, Marcella Hale, Karen Olson, Lynn O’Hara,
and Marylu Baker.
Members excused: Mary Kernan, Kay Mettille, Myrna Colsch, Wilma Brazell, Pat Wellendorf, Cathy Wagner,
Donna Johnson, and Nancy Hosch.
Father Moser apologized for the confusion regarding the meeting date and for not sending out
his notes (minutes) from the last meeting.
Minutes and notes of November 15, 2018 meeting were read and approved.
Old Business:
1 – Reaching out to shut-ins, homebound parishioners, and neighbors to provide food and visits.
Lots of questions have arisen. The subcommittee met in January and plans to meet after conclusion
of this meeting; they will report at the next Social Justice meeting. Still unsure of what is the exact
purpose or goal of this new effort. Marylu Baker has been added to the subcommittee.
2 – NICA Christmas Family Tree: Thank you to everyone who so generously took part in this.
3 - “Feeding God’s Children” event was held on Wednesday, December 12. Connie Mettille reported that
social justice committee members provided desserts for this event. The response was phenomenal
from HFB to this effort; a large amount of food and clothes were collected by the Foresters.
4 – LIFT is open in Lansing. Contact either Janice Rea or Karen Galema if you want to drop off items
at another time besides when LIFT is open on Wednesday from 4 – 7 pm.
5 – “Act of Kindness” collection – recent and future recipients were discussed.
January 2019 Place of Grace – Catholic Worker House in La Crosse
February 2019 Catholic Charities – Archdiocese of Dubuque
Suggested or recommended
March 2019 Fuel Assistance
April 2019 layettes - ACCW
*Kenyan “Freedom for Kids” *Daughter of Pastor Sedar *NCYC
*LIFT *splash pads [Harpers Ferry and Lansing]
*Lansing pool / summer rec programs *cleaning of stones/monuments in Catholic cemeteries
*after school program at libraries [Lansing and Harpers Ferry]
*transportation costs of Permanent Diaconate candidate [Pat Wagner]
New Business:
1 – Happy Birthday to Pat Wellendorf!
2 – Prayer Chain Question arose – why not create a HFB prayer chain rather than each
parish having their own individual prayer chain? Further discussion and comments at next meeting.
3 – Closing Prayer – led by Father Moser [Cookies were shared]
Next meeting: Thursday, May 16, 2019 3:00pm Chapel of St. Bernadette, Lansing
Meeting adjourned at 3:58pm. scribe: Father Moser