ICF BRANCH MEETING 1-28-15
Before the Branch meeting President Jo Bertaccini gave a moving tribute to charter member
and Branch #191’s head Chef Frank Basuino who pasted away last week.
Before Branch meeting Past President Joe Medoro introduced Branch #191’s new president Jo
Bertaccini to the membership.
Jo Bertaccini gave Past President Joe Medoro a plaque in appreciation of his 3 years of service
as President of Branch #191.
1. Branch meeting was called to order by President Jo Bertaccini @ 7:30pm
a. Opening Prayer was led by Branch Chaplain Father Paolo Gobbo
b. Pledge of Allegiance and Federation Salute was said by all members
c. Introduction of Visitors and Guests: President Jo Bertaccini introduced Central
Council member Denise Antonowicz, Central Council Member Emeritus and District
Deputy Jerry Delfino and his wife, Joan, Past Grand President Jim Jones and his wife
Janice, & Branch Chaplain Father Paolo Gobbo.
d. Appreciation Award for Mike Nunziata, and welcome to Joan Delfino, Branch #191’
new Deputy: Jo presented Mike Nunziata with a certificate of Appreciation for his
support to the Branch during his 4 years as Deputy. Jo also gave Lorraine Nunziata
roses. Jo welcomed Branch #191’s new Deputy Joan Delfino, and presented Joan
with roses.
2. Roll Call of Officers: All officers were present with the exception of Treasurer Aldine
Grisenti, who was excused.
3. Minutes: Emily Corral made a motion to dispense with the November 2014 minutes.
Denise Antonowicz seconded the motion. Motion passed.
4. Correspondence: Four letters were read, two from Central Council thanking Branch#191
for the donations made to Gifts of Love Program, in memory of Josie Silva, and to the
Providenza Fund in memory of Shana Portillo. Diocese of San Jose Layette Committee
thanked Branch #191 for the beautiful raffle basket we donated to their Layette Party in
December 2014. Oakland Children’s Hospital thanked the Santa Clara District for our
donation in making their holiday party a hugh success.
5. Financial Report: Camille reported that Branch 191 has 156 members. Camille
introduced 2 new members George & Juliana Midwin. Camille also thanked the
members who have paid their dues. (66 members so far.)
6. Treasurer’s Report: Aldine Grisenti: Liz Donaldson reported for Aldine who was excused.
See attacked report.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a. Apostolate: Jim Jones; Jim reported he is going to promote the charities of the ICF.
Quarterly Masses, Days of Recollection, this year’s Day of Recollection will be held at
Branch #368, with Father George officiating. The District’s outside Mass held at Our
Lady of Peace Church in Santa Clara, on June 14th, 2015 with lunch to follow at
Michael’s Restaurant, our Branch’s lunch program at St. Frances Cabrini Church, St.
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b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
Frances Cabrini Pilgrimage in November, Ash Wednesday soup night’s and the
Central Coast fish fry’s every Friday during Lent.
Prayer Group: Emily introduced Betty Antuzzi who is on the Prayer Group with Emily.
Betty will receive the calls from members concerning the sick, and then Emily will email them to members who have e-mail. Sick members mentioned: Mary Cook,
Marina Clark, & Joe Antuzzi.
Heritage: Tony Spagnolo encouraged members to participate in telling the members
about their families, jobs, trips, favorite foods and their heritage. Then Tony
introduced Father Paolo as our first presenter. Father Paolo gave a short version on
why he became a Priest. He was ordained in Italy over 20yrs ago, his trips to other
countries as a Missionary and how he finally ended up in San Jose.
Membership: Mary Rossette; No report.
Scholarship: Ed Lodi told membership to go on www.icf.org and click on
“Scholarship” to obtain information on the Scholarship Program and to print an
application form. The student must have a 3.2GPA grade point average and meet
the other requirements before applying. The deadline for applying is March 15, 15.
Bocce Courts: Esther Ramonda reported the Bocce Courts may open in April
depending on the weather.
Beg. Bal. as of 12/31/14
$3038.93
Expenses: Maintenance Nov/Dec.
260.00
Awnings Detailed
440.00
Supplies/Liz
36.24
Membership Dues
50.00
Total Expenses:
786.24
Saving Account:
150.00
Total Dispersement
936.24
Ending Bal as of 1/28/15
2102.69
Saving Account as of 1/28/15
3440.35
Total Checking Acct. Bal as of 1/28/15
5543.04
Layette: Lonnie Swarringim reported that the December Layette Party at St. Martin
of Tour’s was a hugh success. The committee had over 30 raffle baskets to raffle.
Lonnie asked if anyone was interested in helping her on Thursdays at the warehouse
to sort & wash baby clothes that have been donated to the layette program.
Phone Committee: Mary Rossetto introduced her phone committee; Frieda
Flocchini, Dottie Ponti, Mary Cook, Josie Daquisto.
Parish Council: Frieda Flocchini : Liz Donaldson gave the Branch a list from the Parish
Council of KITCHEN CLEANING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PARISH/SCHOOL GROUPS and
other organizations using the hall for functions. This year is the Parish’s 60th
Anniversary and Father Mike wants every organization to have an event during the
year. Branch #191’s function will be held on June 26, 2015 with a Continental
breakfast and Bocce in the Bocce Courts.
Sunshine Committee: Jerry Bombaci when called from the Prayer Group will send
get well & sympathy cards to our members.
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k. District Report: Gloria Garcia: Next District meeting will be held at Branch #408 on
Monday, Feb. 9th, 2015. Santa Clara District is having a Day of Recollection at Branch
#368 Santa Teresa, on February 21, 2015, starting with light refreshments at 9:00am.
After reflections and discussions from the attendees a light lunch will be served.
Father George will be the celebrant at a 2:00pm Mass. St. Martin of Tour’s, Branch
#391 is having a St. Valentines Dinner Dance on Feb. 7th 2015. St. Frances Cabrini,
Branch #191 will be hosting the Central Council meeting at the hall on February 14 th,
2015. Everyone is welcome. Light lunch will be served at 12:00pm at a cost of
$16.00. Come and see how the Central Council works and of course to support one
of our members, Grand President Bob Basuino.
8. Unfinished Business:
a. Calendar Sales—Amount #191 earned: Jo Bertaccini-Aldine Grisenti; Jo reported all
50 calendars were sold. The Branch earned $250.00.
b. 50th Anniversary Celebration: Aldine Grisenti-Denise Antonowicz; Denise handed out
refrigerator magnets to all members with the date June 28, 2015. Please put on your
refrigerator to remember the date of the Anniversary Party, JUNE 28, 2015.
c. Polenta Dinner Dance March 7th, 2015: Debbie Piro & Jaime Portillo; Debbie
reported the theme will be UNDER THE BIG TOP!! There will be carnival games,
Balloon Lady, & Face painting. Price per person will be $30.00. Steve Piro will be the
master chef.
9. New Business:
a. Donation to Holy Cross Church to help with their rebuilding and replacements of
articles lost in the fire. Jim Jones made a motion to donate $100.00 to Holy Cross
Church, Marie Antonowicz seconded the motion. After some discussion Ed Lodi
made an amendment to the first motion to increase the donation to $200.00, it was
seconded by John Orlando. After more discussion the amended motion was voted
on and passed.
b. Yearly ICF Branch Calendar: Jo handed the Branch’s yearly calendar of events to the
members.
c. Lenten Soup Suppers: Bob Bombaci reminded the members the 1 st soup night will be
February 18, 2015 after the Ash Wednesday Mass at 5:00pm. The soup nights
started 37years ago, and have served soup on 217 Wednesdays. Branch 191 will be
serving Minestrone soup on March 25, 2015.
d. Day of Recollection/February 21, 2015 at Santa Teresa Church. Father George will be
the presider for the event. Mass will end the session at 2:00pm. The District is asking
for a $10.00 donation to help defray the cost of the lunch.
10. Good of the Order: Joan Delfino spoke about how overwhelmed she was because of all
the Branch activities and the member’s participation. She said KEEP UP THE GOOD
WORK!! Jerry Delfino said that at the District meeting the President asked all the
Branches to give their yearly calendar of events to the other Branch’s. Jerry thanked
Mike Nunizata for being Branch #191’s Branch Deputy for 4 years and for doing such a
great job. Denise Antonowicz spoke on the sharing of Branch calendars with the other
Branch’s. Denise gave a touching tribute to Frank Basuino for being so supportive of
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branch #184 when they were in need of cooks for their dinner dances. He was always
there for from in their time of need.
11. Birthdays and Anniversaries: Jim Jones and members sang Happy Birthday to the
members whose birthdays were in January. No Wedding Anniversaries in January.
12. Jim Jones: Members sang the Italian anthem “Noi Vogliam Dio.”
13. Attendance and raffle drawing: Shirley Catania; Attendance winner was Bill Billings, won
an ICF 2015 calendar. Raffle 1st. Esther Ramonda, will donate her winnings to the raffle
basket account. 2nd Denise Antonowicz , 3rd John Scalmanini, Kathleen Antuzzi won a
ICF 2015 calendar.
Delegates to the District meeting will be President Jo Bertaccini, Gloria Garcia, & Aldine
Grisenti.
Branch #191’s February 3rd Board Meeting will be held at Janice Jones’s home starting at
7:00pm.
Closing Prayer was led by Father Paolo Gobbo.
Meeting was adjourn by President Jo Bertaccini @ 8:45pm
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