Dear Parishioners of St. Therese and Our Lady of Angels Mission,

On behalf of all of us who worked on the rummage sale this past weekend we just would like to say Thank You!

The clothing drive yielded over 80+ bags of clothing. We where truly overwhelmed by the generosity of these gifts! The best of what we received was put on display at the Sonoita County Fair Ground for sale. It was nice to have such great support from both St. Therese & Our Lady Of Angels! I was able to meet many of you for the first time. Your support shows how well our community can work together.

The attendance at The Sonoita Fair grounds, was weak this year, due to a misprint in the local paper; and no sign on the marquis outside. Despite these factors we still managed to raise around $100.00 dollars for both St. Therese & Our Lady Of Angels. We hope to improve this in the future with better advertising.

The positive factor in the sale, is that as a community, we managed to raise some money for us, as well as supply two very worthy Catholic charities with much needed clothing donations.

The First Charity to receive clothing was The Kino Border Initiative. Fr. Don Bahlinger was at our Parish Council meeting on the 19th of March. Fr. Don expressed how great the need was for clothing, shoes & donations to help migrant men, women & children on their journey home. These migrants often have walked so many miles, that their shoes have often disintegrated.

The second Charity was The Pio Decimo Center. This Catholic organization came to my attention by way of the Sisters' at St. Rita's Abby in Sonoita. This organization works on many different levels to supply families in need. Pio Decimo's mission is to help families with everything from a place to stay, clothing, food, to job skills & financial counseling. They help families become self-sufficient. This unique Charity truly works to better families in Tucson.

This clothing drive started out to be a way to raise money for our community. What it has become, is so much more important, a way for our community to help others in need directly. As a community in Christ, we must never forget those around us who are in need. Because of this we will gladly accept clothing donations throughout the year. Our target date for larger donations will still be January - early March for the rummage.

Again, Thank you all for the great donations!

Sincerely,
Secretary, Jennifer Rinaldi

Parish Pastoral Council meeting- minutes

March 19, 2009

Fr. Joemarie Corvera opened the meeting with a prayer at 6:07 PM

Present were Fr. Joemarie Corvera, Juan Urias, President, Jennifer Rinaldi, Secretary, Jon Rinaldi, Carol Conley, Janice Urman, Dave Woods, Vice President, Sandra Monteverde, and Don Hawkins, Elvia Gallaher(former Parish Compliance Officer), Gail M. Eifrig(Ex Officio, Sec'y), Fr. Don Bahlinger, S.J. Kino Border Initiative, Sister Alma Delia Isais Aguilar PBI/Mexico Kino Border Initiative.

President Juan Urias motioned to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Sandra Monteverde & Carrel Conley approved motion.

President Juan Urias Introduced the first item on the Agenda.

(Item I) Rummage Sale-

March 21st-March 22nd. At Sonoita County Fair Grounds.
Jennifer Rinaldi Thanked Members of St. Therese & Our Lady of Angels Mission for their generous donations. 86 bags of clothes were collected. 12 bags & boxes went to Kino Border Initiative. 9 bags are going to Pio Decimo / Catholic Social Services. All other articles are being sold at the rummage to raise funds for St. Therese & Our Lady Of Angels. Total funds collected will be announced at the next meeting.

President Juan Urias asked if there were any questions. There were none. Juan Urias introduced the 2nd item on the Agenda.

(Item II) Elvia Gallaher(Former Parish Compliance Officer) Introduced the new Compliance Officer Pete Firos who was on vacation. Members of the Council thanked Elvia for her service.

President Juan Urias introduced Item 3 on the Agenda.

(Item III) Parish Fund Raising.

Don Hawkins began by talking about how successful the tamale sale was in the past. Jan Urman suggested that the subject of und raising be placed on the Agenda for the next meeting. Jan asked, ” What things are we going to do?” Don Hawkins mentioned fundraising Breakfasts & Dinners in the past. Sandre Monteverde suggested purchasing items to sell at tables during the various festivals. Jon Rinaldi Suggested selling photographs of local landscape. Jan pointed out that not for profits cannot compete with booth sellers at festivals.

Dates for possible events were discussed. Fall Festival (Patagonia) & various small festivals throughout the year. A possible bake sale was mentioned; David Woods suggested a photo booth at Church fundraising dinners. Jennifer Rinaldi suggested a Church Year Book. Elvia Gallaher suggested selling chimichangas again. Juan Urias and Jan Urman suggested we form a committee to further investigate fundraising options to be mentioned in the bulletin. Juan Urias, Jennifer Rinaldi & Jon Rinaldi agreed to be on the committee. Juan Urias asked if there was any more to add.

Juan then introduced the next item.

(Item IV) Kino Border Initiative.

Fr. Don Bahlinger and Sister Alma Delia Isais Aguilar, gave a pictorial presentation on the work of Kino Border Initiative. Fr. Bahlinger talked about the help they are giving to migrant workers on both sides of the border. Kino Border Initiative serves two complete meals a day as well as providing other services to migrants coming and going from Mexico to the US. The project is all volunteer. Fr Corvera & the Parish council Meeting attendees thanked Fr. Bahlinger & Sister Alma for coming to give their presentation.

President Juan Urias asked if there were any other matters.

(V)Other Matters

Carrel Conely suggested that the Thanksgiving Baskets be added to the next meetings Agenda.
Juan Urias asked if there were any plans to have the floor in the dinning hall stripped. There were no plans made for that, said Fr. Corvera.

Fr. Corvera thanked members of the Council, Ex- Officio Members, and Associate Members for their commitments. They're being no further business, this meeting is now adjourned.

Meeting adjourned at 7:05 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Jennifer Rinaldi, Secretary