Region 3
Catholic Committee on Girl Scouts and Camp Fire
September 10, 2016
Attendance:
Allentown Joanne Loeper Camden Joe Brennan
Sue Matour Harrisburg Carolyn Pfeifer
Greensburg Fr. George Saletrik Donna Kelly
Fr. Doug Dorula Paterson Joanne Ponnwitz
Fr. Matthew Morelli Lorraine Hrycyshyn
Charmaine DuBois Philadelphia Pat Antonacci
Vickie Butchko
GS Eastern PA Carla Hickey
Sue Matour led us in an opening prayer service based on caring for our communities – as a Good Samaritan and as a reflection of God’s mercy to our Girl Scout Communities.
After introductions, minutes of the 2015 meeting were corrected to show that Father Morelli attended. Also, on page 2 under NFCYM News, the name should be Bob McCarty, not Joe. The minutes were approved as corrected on a motion by Charmaine, seconded by Joe.
REFLECT & RENEW
Father George led us in a reflection on the Spiritual Works of Mercy and the Corporal Works of Mercy. Mercy is giving more than is deserved. No one can do everything that is needed, but everyone can do something. Father challenged us to grow as disciples, growing together to do the work that Christ commissioned us to do.
GSUSA UPDATE
Carla presented four items:
1. Anna Maria Chavez resigned as CEO of GSUSA. Sylvia Acivedo is interim CEO.
2. In 2017 GSUSA will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Cookie Sales.
3. The fifteen outcomes of the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience have been condensed to five, making marketing to donors easier.
4. The My Promise, My Faith program is being emphasized as a religious emblem that can be earned by girls each year. The program links the Girl Scout Law with faith in action.
MEMORIANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg has signed a MOU with Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania (GSHPA). This document could be used as a model by other dioceses, especially Altoona-Johnstown and Scranton, which have Girl Scouts in GSHPA.
Pat and the committee in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia have been working on a draft MOU. Carla would like to present the draft to the new CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern PA. The goal is to get an agreement signed and mounted on the diocesan web site prior to the 2017 Cookie Sale.
NFCYM News
Bob McCarty has retired as Executive Director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. The new executive director is Christina Lamas. A restructuring of NFCYM is underway. Among the proposed changes are membership by individuals rather than dioceses and virtual meetings. Under consideration are changes to the bylaws, corporation documents and standard operating procedures. At the Annual Membership meeting in February in Pittsburgh these changes will be up for vote. Pat Antonacci will attend.
OTHER DISCUSSION
Pat reminded the attendees that the Mary Jane Hart scholarship is available. Although we voted to contribute $500 to the scholarship, that was not done because procedures for administrating the scholarship still need to be established.
At the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry, NCCGSCF will host a luncheon with Marilyn Santos from the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States.
NCCGSCF has developed a new program for Ambassador level girls called Misso Dei / Missionary Discipleship which is now in draft form. An additional Women in Scripture program about Venerable Pauline Jaricot, moving force behind the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, is now available on the NCCGSCF website.
Pat has been contacted by a vendor in China who is able to produce affordable and attractive pins for the various diocesan religious emblems. Pins for the Angel on My Shoulder, Child of Mary, and Saint Kateri are ready for production. Child of Mary 2, Holy Family, and St. Katherine Drexel will be made by the same vendor.
Please forward news to Pat for inclusion in Spark & Flame or send it directly to nccgscf.org.
AWARDS
In the absence of Claudia Reed, recognitions chair, Pat A. presented the Crystal Cross to Vicki Butchko and the For God & Youth emblem to Joanne Loeper.
DIOCESAN HIGHLIGHTS & SUCCESSES
Reports from the dioceses were included in our packets. Representatives from each diocese spoke about their successes and challenges. One challenge is the declining membership in GSUSA which limits the number of girls we can reach.
FINANCIALS
Pat distributed the financial report. The total income as of September 2016 is $1637.54; expenses $937l21, leaving a balance of $4974.36. A question was raised re the need for calendars at a cost of $199.63; perhaps that is an unnecessary expense. We need to retain at least $500 in the account for the pledge to the Mary Jean Hart scholarship.
Dyana Salve received a scholarship from the committee to attend the November 2015 National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis. Pat read her letter of thanks.
The National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry conference for adults will be held in San Jose on December 1-3. Conference registration for Sue Matour is already paid. Vicki moved that Region 3 offer a scholarship to an adult to attend the conference in an amount to cover the registration fee. Joanne P seconded the motion; motion carried. Christie Smith of the Diocese of Greensburg is interested and will submit an application.
NEW BUSINESS
Pat Antonacci and her husband will be retiring from their volunteer jobs so that they can spend more time travelling. Pat W was the first chair of Region 3; Pat A took over in 1999. Since then, scholarships to attend various meetings have been established and the committee has a healthy bank account.
Looking forward, the job that Pat has been doing could be divided among various individuals. Claudia will continue with awards, Julie with the website, and Carolyn as secretary. Other jobs that need to be done are treasurer, reports to national, representation at NCCYM Annual membership meetings, and meeting arrangements. Pat will distribute the job description to everyone via email. Joanne P. suggested that everyone prayerfully consider our options and how we should proceed.
The meeting adjourned at 3 p.m.
Father George, assisted by Father Doug and Father Matt and Deacon Black, celebrated mass at 4 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Pfeifer, Secretary
2 / 2016 Region 3 Minutes