Daughters of Isabella Jasper Circle #140 celebrates 100th anniversary

Daughters of Isabella Jasper Circle #140 held their Christmas Membership Dinner and celebrated their 100th anniversary as a Circle on December 13, 2021. 

The following is a history written by Jasper Circle #140 Regent Kathy Schneider and delivered at the dinner. Schneider recognizes part of this Information was taken from history written by Henrietta Schmitt for years 1921-1996.

Jasper Circle #140 was organized with the consent of Rev. Basil Heusler, Pastor of St. Joseph Church and the untiring efforts of Mrs Mayme Koerner who made a house – to house canvas during the months of February and March of 1921.  The Jeffersonville Degree Team initiated the Charter class with a membership of 221 on Sunday, April 24, 1921.  This was the second largest class in the State of Indiana and had the distinction of being the largest Charter ever organized anywhere in one parish in the United States.

Mayme Koerner was elected as the first regent and the organized of the circle.  Mrs. Koerner held the office of Regent until her death in 1945.  Father Basil was Chaplain until his death in 1942.

In 1915 Mother Theodore Circle #56, the first Daughters of Isabella circle started St. Elizabeth Home and in June 1921, the Regents in Indiana voted that this should be the State Project for all circles in Indiana and would maintain the home for unwed mothers which is St. Elizabeth Home in Indianapolis.  This has been one of the principal charities and Jasper Circle has contributed a sum annually for the past 75 years (as was reported in 1996).  St Elizabeth Home owes much of its history and success to the Daughters of Isabella.  Over the years members have donated a substantial amount of baby clothes and other items.  As of 2004 two agencies came together to form St. Elizabeth/Coleman Pregnancy and Adoption Services to offer a full range of services.  In 2004, St Elizabeth/Coleman became part of Catholic Charities in Indianapolis.  

In 1922 the circle purchased property on Main Street in Jasper to be used as a meeting place.  However, this was not feasible and the property was sold in 1946.

In 1926 the Knights of Columbus joined the circle and this partnership continued until 1944 when all outstanding debts of the school were paid off, with a grand total of $169.622.26 was raised.  The bazaars were discontinued as other means of revenue for the church and school had been introduced into the parish.

In 1928 the circle sponsored a community drive for the St. Mary of the Woods Endowment Fund.  This was to show our appreciation to the Sisters of Providence for founding their mission in America in Jasper in 1842.

1932 – A junction group for Catholic girls between the ages of ten and sixteen was organized.  This was discontinued in 1942 as the Girl Scout Program, which was then sponsored by the parish, replaced it.

1946- The D of I sponsored bazaars and numerous and other moneymaking projects to raise money to help in the building of Little Company of Mary Memorial Hospital, at Jasper, Indiana.  

1954 – The Circle donated money for equipment and in 1971 donated money for an expansion project for the hospital.

As a means of financing the various charities of the circle, weekly Bingo parties for the public was held.  This continued until 1990 and as a result of changes in State Laws governing the operation of such parties this fundraiser was discontinued. 

In 1949 and 1956 as the population of Jasper increased, two new Catholic Churches were built.  Again bazaars were held to raise money and sizable contributions were given to help these two parishes. Two one day bazaars were held and $38,986 was netted and given to Holy Family Church in 1949.  Several years later in 1956 when Precious Blood parish was organized, a one day bazaar netted $13,752 and was present to Father Ralph Endress, the first Pastor.

In 1962 and again in 1984 donations were made to the school to help pay for improvements.

Generous Contributions were made to the building funds of Sarto Retreat House, Regina Pacis Home, Little Sisters of the Poor, and St. Meinrad Archabbey.  Other donations were given to the Bishops Relocation Project, Family Studies Program at the Catholic University, K of C Columbia Home, Tri Cap, Boy & Girl Scouts, Post Proms of Local Schools, Junior Achievement, and many other local appeals.

To continue to keep the circle thriving we have an annual Dressing fundraiser in November and work at the Jasper Moose Lodge Bingo.

To attain the spiritual aspects of our organization, each year members are remembered at a Memorial Mass and a votive candle is lit for each deceased member.  At the death of a member the circle gathers to recite the rosary at the funeral home, and they are also remembered in 2 Masses and in Perpetual Enrollment at St. Meinrad Archabbey upon the death of our member.  

Projects that are continued today are sponsoring monthly bingo at the local nursing homes.  Mass is sponsored monthly at The Timbers and Good Samaritan Nursing Homes.

The total members in Jasper Circle reached a high of over 1000 members it now stands at 327 as of October 31, 2021.

Serving as State Officers and International Officers from Jasper Circle #140 were:

Mayme Koerne – State Regent and International Director

Florence Fierst – State Regent

Margaret “Magy” Clark, State Auditor, State Vice Regent, and State Regent

Officers for 2022-2024 are Regent- Kathy Schneider, Vice Regent- Marge Beckman, Financial Secretary- Betty Mehringer, Assistant Financial Secretary- Chris Schuetter, Treasurer-Rose Rasche, Recording Secretary-Pam Schneider, Auditors-May Kleeman, Mary Jo Hart, Sharon Gramelspacher, Scribe-Kathy Bachman, Chancellor-Bev Himsel, First Guide-Martha Matthews and Second Guide-Tracy Merkel.

As we read this history of accomplishments, each sister should feel a sense of pride in having shared in it, for it has proven that in UNITY, FRIENDSHIP and CHARITY there is strength.
Happy 100^th Anniversary.