The Altar Society was established in 1899 and reorganized in 1940. The patroness of the society is St. Ann, the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The society promotes love of God, charity, and family life rooted in Christ. Society members care for the altars, linens, sacristy, candles and sanctuary items as needed. Meetings are held 3 times per year and dues are $5 per year. Contact the parish office at (979) 732-3430 for more information.

The meeting was called to order with the Apostle’s Creed by Lucy Markwardt.
 
In attendance were Lucy Markwardt, Mary Jane Belota, Janet Glaser, Janie Schmidt, Franny Schaefer, Elizabeth Payne, and Fr. Bob Knippenberg. 
 
Janet read the minutes of the last meeting on April 18, 2024.  The minutes were approved as read.
 
The treasury has an ending balance of $6297.12.  The May Cash Drive netted $2532.  The Eckerman family donated $25 for total income of $2557.  
Expenses to Mary Regina, Sacco, and the F C Ziegler Co. were for candles and church supplies.  Expenses to Country Fresh Cleaners were for altar server cassock cleaning.  Expenses to Hermitage of the Holy Cross were for hosts.   Funeral luncheon supplies were purchased from Amazon, Sam’s Club, Walmart.  These expenses total $3650.67. Carolyn Canik was reimbursed $90.92 for two angel statues for the Festival.  $500 was donated to the Diocese of Victoria Lighthouse—Endowment Fund for Seminary Burse for Rev. Wayne Flagg, Rev. Philip Brune, Rev. Robert Knippenberg.  Total expenses were $4241.59.

Report from the Cheer Group:
Mary Jane sent a Sympathy card to the Eckerman family
and Get Well cards were sent to:
April—Heather & Blake Schramm, Ron Sumbera, John Poenitzsch
May—Lambert & Carol Brune, Betty Gerik, Mike Wostarek, Ryan Gilson
June—Al Gene Canik, Ernie Richter, James Hrachovy
July--Irene Waura, Kandon Kasper, Diane Seidel, Barbara Meyer
August—Donna Vasut
September—Shane Kulhanek
Elizabeth visits Joe Chovanec in Brenham regularly.
Lucy visits True Care regularly to see Evelyn Kneblick, Dorothy Becker, Frances Baron, Lorene Nitschke, Edith Munoz.  She also visits Alice Malota at Jefferson’s Place.
 
Discussion began on finding, possibly engraving, and buying a concrete bench for the Guadalupe tree statue.  Fr. Bob will speak with Mr. Henneke for advice.   Mary Jane moved that the Altar Society would donate to the fund what they could afford, and the church would pay the difference.   Janie seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Discussion continued on the possibility of carving the other side of the tree into the Resurrected Christ.  As a resurrected Christ, He is usually shown with His right hand showing His wounds and His left hand holding His banner. 

The polyurethane seal on the carved Our Lady of Guadalupe must be reapplied annually.  It is about that time now.  

All four officers agreed to continue their positions in 2025.
 
The next meeting will be January 30, 2025.  
The door prize winner was Fr. Bob.
Fr. Bob closed the meeting with a prayer and blessing.

Respectfully submitted,
Janet Glaser

Lucy Markwardt
President
979-732-4287

Janet Glaser

Secretary

832-368-7925