The
Council serves our church family in many ways. They take an active
role in the spiritual growth of the members through retreats and
seminars; they participate in fundraising efforts to benefit the
church and school; and sponsor activities and events that forge
a strong church community.
The
Council is made up of several small groups of women, called Circles,
who share a common objective. Associate members are involved with
the works of the ministry but are not affiliated with a particular
circle. Within the organization are several Commissions whose missions
are to create a community of God’s people who are knowledgeable
and involved in specific areas of the church. These Commissions
include Church, Community Concerns, Family Concerns, International
Concerns, Organization and Legislation. Committees dedicated to
providing service to our parish family include the Altar Committee,
New Parishioners Committee, the Telephone Committee, and the Donut
Committee.
The
Council has a general meeting every other month from September through
May, that all circle/council members are invited to attend. Individual
Circles usually meet on a monthly basis.
“As
male and female are made one in Jesus Christ, so women receive an
off ice in the Truth as well as men, and they have a stewardship
and must give an account of their stewardship as well as the men.”
Elizabeth Bathurst
Visit
the calendar page for a schedule of meeting dates
CIRCLE
1 (ST. MARTHA)
St. Martha’s Circle was created in 2000 by members who had
formed a bond through a Ministry of Mother’s Sharing (MOMS)
session. We actively support all Church, school, and CCW functions.
Each Christmas we adopt a family in need, providing gifts for the
children and gift certificates for food for the family. Social functions
include a Christmas Party with spouses and an end of the year party
for the entire family. We meet the 2nd or 3rd Monday of each month
at 7:00pm in one of our member’s homes.
CIRCLE
3 (ST. Elizabeth Ann Seton)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Circle meets from September-May
on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm in one of our member’s
homes. We have 20 members, who, in addition to participating in
the CCW events, support the Children’s Nursery and help manage
and provide volunteers for the Children’s Liturgy programs
on Sunday Mornings.
CIRCLE
4 (ST. JOSEPH)
St. Joseph’s Circle meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month
at a member’s home. Our members range in age from 62-82. More
than half of our ladies are active members of All Saints Catholic
Nursing Home Auxiliary. We meet with Circle 5 on three occasions
each year. In November we donate Christmas gifts to the Cancer Society
at St. Vincent’s Hospital and hold a raffle with proceeds
donated to the organization. We also help with all CCW sponsored
activities.
CIRCLE
5 (ST. FRANCIS ASSISI)
St. Francis Assisi’s Circle is comprised of members aging
from 35-85. We help at many Church and school activities. We make
goody bags at Christmas with Circle 4 to donate to the Cancer Society
at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Many of our members are involved
with the Bereavement Ministry. We also help with events sponsored
by the CCW as needed. We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at
7:30pm.
CIRCLE
7 (ST. MONICA)
St. Monica’s Circle was formed in 1997. Our members include
young mothers, single women, and grandmothers, most of whom are
active in many programs and Ministries at St. Matthew’s School
and Church. Our Social functions include a Christmas Party with
spouses and a Cinco de Mayo party at the end of the school year.
We support all CCW functions as well as school, church, and youth
functions. Our meetings are hosted by members on the 1st Thursday
of each month at 7:00pm.
CIRCLE
8 (ST. THERESA)
St. Theresa’s Circle began in the 1960’s. In the 1980’s,
Circle 8 and the original Circle 7 joined together. We have many
members who are long time parishioners of St. Matthew’s Parish.
We participate in all CCW activities and financially support the
St. Francis Soup Kitchen. We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month
at 11:00am for a “bring your own lunch”.
CIRCLE
9 (ST. JUDE)
St. Jude’s biggest undertaking is the annual Bazaar. We work
all year long collecting, sorting, and pre-selling donations for
the White Elephant, clothing and book sales at the Bazaar. We also
make goody bags for the homeless and donate money and food to different
ministries. We help out with other Church and school functions as
needed. We meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month in a member’s
home.
