Blessed Sacrament Parish, Burton at 6340 Roberta Street, Burton, MI 48509-2438 US - 1962 Organizations

USHERS CLUB "The organizational meeting of the Ushers Club was held in September 1957 at the rectory. The following men were elected officers: Wirth Pickard, president; Howard Jaeger, vice-president; Ernest Hayden, secretary, and Carl Liesen, treasurer. Since Mass was being held at Bentley School gym, the 8:00 o'clock Mass ushers were to set up the chairs and the 10:00 o'clock Mass ushers were to take them down and store them. In March of 1958, Fr. Noeker called on the members of the Ushers Club plus other men of the parish to meet at the rectory for the purpose of a pledge drive for the building of our new church and school. The second meeting of the pledge committee was held at the fire station hall on Belsay Rd. Hugh Curtis was appointed chairman. The pledge drive was promoted by McCarthy Associates. In March 1959, the Ushers Club, consisting of the following officers: Carl Liesen, Wirth Pickard, Marvin Brasseur, Wesley Parker and William Crystal, was called upon to put pews in the new church. The pews were obtained by Fr. Noeker from St. Michael's Church in Pontiac. The Ushers Club was responsible for removing, transporting and setting them up in time for our first Mass on Easter Sunday, March 29, 1959. January 1960, the Ushers Club officers were Francis Donnelly, president; James Compton, vice-president, Paul Miller, secretary, and Raymond Davis, treasurer. In March 1960, the Ushers Club was consolidated with the Men's Club and James Compton was appointed Committee Chairman of Ushers. July 1960, the Men's Club, ushers committee and other men of the parish under the direction of J. V. McCarthy Associates of Detroit, with Donald Seymour and Hugh Cronin as co-chairman started a tithing program for our parish." ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY OF BLESSED SACRAMENT 1958-1961 "During its four and one-half years in existence, the Altar Society of Blessed Sacrament Parish has grown from a new-born organization to its present size of 88 members. Mrs. Ernest Hayden was appointed first president, and with her officers promoted membership and enthusiasm among the ladies of the parish. The first meeting was held in January 1958 in the basement of the rectory, as were succeeding monthly meetings until completion of the church and school. Within the first year formed, the Altar Society became affiliated with the National Council of Catholic Women and participated in the council's programs. The Society delegated a member to attend the shrine of St. Anne de Beaupre in Canada, and in 1960 was represented at the National Convention of the CCW in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the first few months, activities were necessarily limited due to the lack of building facilities, so the only projects attempted were bake sales held after the Masses on Sundays. But within a year of neighboring parish graciously offered the use of their auditorium, thereby enabling the Altar Society to hold its first major project, a card party, which was a big success. Since completion of our own church and hall, other events have followed including a Penny Supper, Spaghetti Dinner, Linen Socials and others. Some of the projects have become annual affairs, such as the Past Officers' Dinner, the Mother-Daughter Breakfast, the Father-Son Breakfast, and the 8th Grade graduation breakfast. The proceeds from the various social activities has made possible some major accomplishments. The debt was paid on the Church Sanctuary, and other altar supplies and vestments were purchased. The Altar Society furnished window screens for the school, many necessities in the kitchen, and supplies for the Convent, such as sewing machine, drapes, etc. Past presidents of the Altar Society in the order in which they served from 1958 through 1961 include: Mrs. Ernest Hayden, Mrs. Leonard Andruski, Mrs. Dave Meredith, and Mrs. Andrew Liska, who was succeeded by Mrs. Richard Ranville. The Altar Society is pleased to have been hostess to The Knights of Columbus councils, Catholic Business Women, and the Daughters of Isabella on various occasions." MEN'S CLUB "The Blessed Sacrament Men's Club was formed December 17, 1959. At this meeting the first officers were elected. They were Harry Novak, president; Paul Miller, vice-president; Wilbur Guelette, secretary, and Richard Preston, treasurer. The membership rose from 28 the first meeting to more than 70 members at the present. Among the first year's activities were a Stag Party, Pancake Supper and Dance Party. The first year also saw the erection of lights for the parking lot. The second year officers were Paul Miller, president; Aubrey Shriner, vice-president; Jack Bostater, secretary and Tomm Boris, treasurer. Among the year's activities were two stag parties. The backstop for the baseball diamond was erected, plus playground equipment for the school children. A garage was erected at the East End of the present building to hold tables and chairs. The third year officers are Richard Preston, president; Walter Sutkowi, vice-president; Joe Mielcarik, secretary and Joe Quinlan, treasurer. The activities so far have been the annual stag party and a dance at Williams Gun Club." ATHLETICS OF 1962 "The Men's Club started the year by choosing Paul Miller as Athletic Director and he picked Dave Meredith, Ralph LaDuke and Leonard Andruski to help him as coaches. We started off the season program with football. It was called "Flag" football or old fashioned touch. We had to do this because of the lack of proper equipment to get in the K.C. tackle program. We had about 116 boys from the 7th and 8th grade and about 9 from the 5th and 6th out for the team, which was a real good showing. We played three games, won one and lost two: Bentley School 12-6, Redeemer Lutheran 6-25 and Bentley Sr. High 18-12. Basketball: St. Francis of Assisi 21-13, St. Marys Mt. Morris 22-9; St. Marys Flint 47-10; St. Johns Fenton 28-18; St. Johns Davison 28-12; Sacred Heart 33-16; St. Pauls Owosso 21-16. Won 0, lost 7. Baseball: Sacred Heart 3-2; St. Johns Davison 5-3; Holy Rosary 7-10; St. Francis Assisi 0-16. Won 3, lost 2. We started our baseball season tying for the divisional championship, which is to be played off later. We have to give credit to Jack Russell for his hitting and pitching ability; Marvin Brasseur for his very good hitting, Raiph LaDuke, Ted Kramer, John Gellings, Tom Giltinan and all the boys who gave a tremendous showing for our school. We had good crowds at the games and the good Sisters were on hand cheering the boys on. It was a very good ending for a happy years in sports for the boys." BLESSED SACRAMENT CONFERENCE ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY "On March 4th, 1958, a group of men from our Parish were invited to attend a meeting with the intention of forming a Conference of the St. Vincent DePaul Society. This meeting was brought about through the efforts of Father Noeker and Msgr. Sheridan. Msgr. Sheridan is the spiritual director of the Flint Particular Council of the St. Vincent DePaul Society. At this very first meeting Msgr. Sheridan explained the duties of the Society, and our first officers were elected. It is my opinion that we were quite fortunate in having Raymond Miller elected our first Conference president because Mr. Miller was the only one of our Parish attending this meeting to remain as a permanent member who had any previous experience in Vincentian work. Other officers elected were: Vice-President, Hugh Cronin; Secretary, Wilber Guelette; Treasurer, Francis Donnely. With the exception of treasurer, the officers remain today as were first elected. Because Francis Donnely left our Parish, he was replaced by Richard Preston. Mr. Preston is still the treasurer of our Conference. While the bulk of our work is in the material assistance to needy families, we have assisted some and are always ready to help anyone possible in any spiritual way. Since 1958, we have helped 28 families with possibly 130 children involved, in the material things of life. We make every effort to give help where needed. We also make every effort to see that help given is really required. To this end we have the assistance of the Catholic Social Bureau. These people maintain a file on people who are assisted by other agencies in the country, and through their help we can better help people meet their own needs end requirements rather than depending on our help. It can be readily understood that material help as we may give is of a very limited nature, but we do follow up a greet deal to try to help these needy people get work or possible county welfare help. Our work is held in deep confidence, nor do we seek acknowledgment for our work, It is through the money given by the people of the Parish to the poor boxes that we can continue our work. A thank you note which was received by our conference certainly should be passed on to you people who have made it possible. It was received from a non-Catholic family whom we had an occasion to assist: Gentleman: Our family has certainly been helped by your spirit of brotherhood. This is a real example of the Christian attitude and we feel that God has truly blessed our home this holiday season. Having been in the home of this family a number of times, I know that there is a great deal of sincerity behind this thank you note. It makes our work very pleasing."

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