St. Isidore Sentinel
November 2003
YLI #235

Dear Sisters,

I am so very proud of our Institute! Then Grand President's Official visit with so many of our members in attendance was an overwhelming success. Thanks to Sandee and her committee for such a beautiful evening.

Don't forget the All Season's Boutique in November. Get your baked goods baked and crafts made. Happy Holidays to all!

God Bless!

In Sisterly Love,

Luci

We are having the See's Candy sale this year to benefit the Grand President's Program, Sisters Helping Sisters. If you did not get an order form and information at the business meeting, please call Norma Ferraiuolo, chairperson, to arrange to get your forms. This is a limited time sale and all orders and money need to be turned in to Norma by November 8. The candy is scheduled to arrive before Thanksgiving. Thank you in advance for your participation in this important fund raiser; you are not only helping the retired Nuns, but you can enjoy the See's candy or give the candy as gifts.

Norma

Saturday, November 22, and Sunday, November 23— Calling all bakers and crafters to bring your baked goodies and crafts to the New Parish Hall from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 22. You can also bring them to the November 13 business meeting if they are nonperishable.Shoppers, we will be open Saturday November 22 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, November 23, from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. See you there!

Lidia Jimenez

Birthday: Feb. 21

Leona Field

Birthday: Feb. 7

Pietrina (Tina) Moscuzza

Birthday: Dec. 6

Flo Meyers

Birthday: July 11

A great big, heartfelt Thank You to all the members that baked, purchased, donated and worked at our bake sale. Without you we wouldn't be here. A special Thank You to ICF for loaning us their sign and screen. What a kind gesture. Thank you to Cille for never leaving me on both days and to our new member Leona for her long hours and collecting the money.

Patti

Presentation to our Grand President

The Grand President was presented with a wreath at her Official Visit. It was presented by the officers and made by Sandee Paez as the pieces were given to the Grand President.

This year our Grand President, Barbara, has chosen for her program "Sisters Helping Sisters." The purpose of this program is to render assistance to these Religious Sisters. There are an ever-increasing number of frail, elderly sisters needing skilled nursing care. As we all know, the costs for health care, including medications, therapies and assistance with the task of daily living, are escalating. The care of aging sisters is becoming a challenge of major proportions.

It was not until 1972 that the Religious became eligible to enter the Social Security system. Unfortunately many of these religious institutes (congregations) could not afford to pay Social Security to "catch up" for the years of service prior to that time. It is those Sisters, 31 years later, who are in the greatest need of our help. Statistics from the Annual Report from the Retirement Fund for Religious show that the average social security payment to a retired religious was $3,579.00 per year in 2001, while the average retired person received $10,398.00. This same report tells us that the average yearly cost in 2001 for skilled nursing facility care was $41,180.00 per person.

The National Religious Retirement Office, which began in 1986, does provide an annual grant to some institutes. There are a few institutes that are solvent and refuse grants. It is the ones in need that we want to reach. The National Religious Retirement Office tells us that the average Basic Grant is $964 per member over the age of 70. The 695 institutes (both men and women) who reported census data on December 31, 2001, reported a total of 40,317 members over the age of 70. Of that number 19,682 were actually over the age of 80.

Barbara has been in contact with various Vicars for Religious and Mother Superiors and has found that there are many ways in which we can help. A volunteer to come in to act as a receptionist to answer the phone and take messages a few hours a week would be greatly appreciated. Some of the Sisters need exercise but are afraid to go out walking alone. A volunteer could take a walk with one or more Sisters. Drivers are always needed to take the Sisters to doctors' appointments. Many of the Sisters have boutiques to help raise funds for their expenses. They can always use additional handmade items to sell.