St. Mary Star of the Sea May 5, 2015 Parish Council Meeting Minutes

Transcription

1 St. Mary Star of the Sea May 5, 2015 Parish Council Meeting Minutes Attendance: Present: Msgr. Michael Motta Ed Kane Betty Faitella Denise Genest Amanda McCaffrey Ed O Reilly Margaret Heath Ringrose Bob Murphy Lynne Murphy Tom Goz Absent: Terry Bonini, Ann Kerr, Rosemary Marek, Deacon Tom Sutak 1. Call to Order Council President Betty Faitella called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Prayer Msgr. Motta provided the opening prayer by praying for the people in Nepal. Monsignor also asked God for his continued blessings, and for all the best possible things for the people of our parish. 3. Minutes of the March Meeting The following corrections were made to the March Minutes: New Business: Committee/Ministry Consolidation It was decided that, at this time, any plans to consolidate ministries would be tabled until sometime in the future would now read By a subsequent executive Committee Meeting, it was decided to table the consolidation of the ministries until sometime in the future. Liaison Reports: Legion of Mary Divine Mercy Sunday took place on April 12 th, not March 15 th and Fun Committee The Easter Egg Hunt took place on Saturday, March 28 th, not on Saturday, April 4 th. The Parish Council Meeting Minutes were amended and accepted. 4. Standing Committee Reports a. RCIA/Adult Faith Formation Denise Genest for Deacon Tom Sutak No inquiries or activity. b. Religious Education Denise Genest for Deacon Tom Sutak Seventy (70) young people were confirmed on Monday, April 27th with Archbishop Emeritus Henry J. Mansell presiding. Sixtyeight (68) were from St. Mary Star of the Sea and two (2) were from St. Ann, Avon. Going forward confirmation class size will begin to shrink (50 ish) in the next couple of years reflecting a trend seen at other parishes in the area. First Communion will be celebrated this Saturday (May 10:00 p.m.). There will be thirty two (32) first communicants. Numbers are down significantly at surrounding parishes, as reported by the Directors of Religious Education (DRE s) at the Bristol Deanery of Religious Education Directors meeting on April 22 nd. Registrations for the 2015/2016 religious education year beginning in the fall continue to trickle in approximately 225 have been received to date. Last year s enrollment dropped from 500 the previous year to 412 this year again reflecting a trend in other parishes. The grade 'K' (kindergarten) class is being discontinued so as not to compete with the new Children s Worship (CW) ministry. Those seeking to enroll their children in a pre religious education program activity will be re directed to the CW ministry. c. Youth Ministry/Altar Servers Amanda McCaffrey The program is going well. There are some new servers starting soon. Monsignor would like to know when their first masses will be so that he can acknowledge the new servers.

2 d. Youth Ministry/Peer Connections Amanda McCaffrey The youth group is finishing up the year. The program will be completely revamped over the summer. Amanda is working with Danielle from the Catholic Lighthouse Publications on a new program. There will be education based nights as well as fun based nights. During the month of April the youth group raised $ to off set the cost of the Teen Retreat through the sale of food items. This will be the 10 th consecutive year of attendance at the high school retreat. Congratulations to the Confirmation Class regarding their attendance at the Retreat. St. Mary s youth were complimented by Holy Family for their behavior and involvement. e. Youth Ministry/Communications and Marketing Amanda McCaffrey f. Youth Ministry/Children s Worship Ministry Amanda McCaffrey The Children s Worship Ministry started on April 12 th. Attendance has been good and it appears people like the program. Interested parents are making inquiries. Instructors are going through Protecting God s Children youth protection program. g. Liturgy Committee Amanda McCaffrey h. Finance Committee Ed Kane The Finance Committee met on April 29 th in the rectory. The goal of the meeting was to review the first quarter results. The first quarter results show that the parish is on budget and there are no major expenses or repairs anticipated in the near future. The only change in procedure will occur as the result of an audit. The new mandate by the Archdiocese requires Monsignor Motta to be responsible for the Ladies Guild bank accounts on a three year schedule. Paula is working with the Treasurer of the Ladies Guild to reconcile their accounts. Monsignor will be signing their checks. The next meeting of the Finance Committee is scheduled for July 22 nd. The Finance Committee would also like to review the cemetery accounts at that time. i. Liaison Reports Council Members i. Human Needs Lynne Murphy Per Committee Chairperson, Alice Crozier, the Soup and Bread Supper resulted in $ for Catholic Relief Services participation was down from last year. Food Pantry Collection for the towns of Burlington and Farmington went well. Approximately $ was collected in addition to the bags of food donated. Upcoming activities include the Collection of Flip Tabs in June and the Collection of School Supplies for the Town of Farmington the first week of August. The next meeting is scheduled for May20th at 7:00 p.m. ii. Building and Grounds Lynne Murphy The Building and Grounds Committee met on Wednesday, April 22 nd. Per Committee Chairperson, Dick Selinga, the committee will look into solutions for the ice jams; it was suggested the insulation be checked. They will also find out if the gutters caused the ice jams or if covers are needed to keep leaves and other debris out. Contractors will be contacted to see what needs to be done with problem areas of the church parking lot. Dick will recruit volunteers to do the painting at the Hart House; he will also look into whether it would be better to hire a painter. Lynne Murphy will paint the remaining doors to the church and the bottom boards (near the sill plate) this summer. Lynne reported the painting she did of the Hart House front steps last summer has again peeled off (most likely due to snow on the steps all winter and the wet area under the steps). Dick will look into adding new steps to the contract for the Hart House porch. Lynne will also remove, polish, clear coat and reinstall the brass on the inner church doors. The bathroom floor will be tiled and Dick will look into getting

3 carpeting for the Hart House hallway. The committee will look into getting someone to power wash the buildings. Mulch will be spread on areas that need it. Dick is working with the architect regarding a railing around the choir areas. Cracks in the church walls will be taken care of at a later date. Members will look into having pine trees near the homes on Maple Avenue removed. Spotlights in the church will be replaced with new LED fixtures. The rectory will need a new boiler. Gardeners will continue making improvements around the property and new volunteer gardeners will be recruited. iii. Cemetery Committee Betty Faitella forterry Bonini iv. Knights of Columbus Betty Faitella for Terry Bonini v. Women s Guild Ann Kerr vi. Altar Caretaker/Décor Betty Faitella Linda Bonato would like to thank Dave Popielarczyk and Bob Bonato for the beautiful new Paschal candle stand, which working out very well. vii. Men s Retreat Betty Faitella viii. Decorations Rosemary Marek ix. Small Christian Communities Rosemary Marek x. Prayer Chain Ann Kerr There was nothing to report. xi. Fun Committee Tom Goz Members will be soliciting ideas for a change in the volunteer appreciation gathering. The Appreciation Dinner is scheduled to take place at 6:30 on Friday, June 5 th. The Committee is looking for additional support in planning and organizing the dinner. It was suggested George s Restaurant be hired to provide the food. Beverage servers will be needed. It was also suggested a sign up sheet be available. Council members agreed to help with set up and clean up. xii. Women s Retreat Tom Goz Per Msgr. Motta, who was in attendance, all went well. Monsignor attended the Retreat to have lunch with the attendants. xiii. Eucharistic Adoration Bob Murphy xiv. Legion of Mary - Bob Murphy There will be a candlelight rosary on Thursday, June 4 th at 7:00. Monsignor will give a short talk about Mary. xv. Scouts Ed O Reilly The Pack campout at Winding Trails will take place on May 8 th. The annual Blue and Gold Dinner is scheduled for May 13 th and will be held at the Senior Center at 6:00 p.m. Scouts will be camping out at Hammonasset State Park over Memorial Day weekend.

4 xvi. Webmaster Ed O Reilly Normal maintenance on the website continues. The new Lector schedule, as well as the new Eucharistic Minister schedule is available. A new page highlighting the St. Mary s golf tournament was added this month. xvii. Respect Life Committee Ed Kane The Respect Life Committee will coordinate the Baby Bottle Drive with the Unionville Crisis Pregnancy Center during the month of May. Baby bottles will be distributed after masses on May 9 th and 10 th (Mother s Day weekend) for parishioners to take home, fill with change, and return over Father s Day weekend in June. Ushers will hand out bottles after the 4:30 mass; Council Members Ed O Reilly, Tom Goz and Lynne Murphy will take the 9:30 mass; Ed Kane will take the 7:30 mass; and Gina will hand out bottles after the 11:00 mass. xviii. Social Justice Committee Ed Kane Clara Ryan reported to Ed that Committee Member Pat Robotham was able to save the Food Share Truck from discontinuing its trips to Farmington. The Food Share Truck, which distributes food to the needy, will now stop every 1 st and 3 rd Tuesday from 9:00 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary s parking lot. The Office for Social Justice is sponsoring an event entitled Hartford Earth Festival, a family friendly activity scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 31 st from 1:00 to 5:00. Details will be in the bulletin as the event gets closer. With Monsignor s blessings, Fair Trade Coffee, chocolate and tea have been ordered. A coffee sampling will take place in June; the coffee will also be available for purchase in St. Mary s Fair Trade Shop. The Office for Social Justice has lent us a wonderful traveling exhibit. The exhibit consists of posters aimed at defining Social Justice and our church s position, as well as illustrating all the Social Justice problems in today s society that need to be addressed. The Social Justice Book Club is now reading Tattoos on the Heart by Father Gregory Boyle. The Book Club is planning to meet in June to share their thoughts on this marvelous book. xix. Haitian Ministry Maggie Heath-Ringrose xx. Adult Choir Maggie Heath-Ringrose The choir is now on summer break. 6. Old Business Committee/Ministry Consolidation Betty Faitella Consolidation has been tabled. We will let Committee and Ministry chairpersons know we are here to offer help. Slate of Officers for 2015/2016 Ed Kane Ed Kane: President Lynne Murphy: Vice President Ann Kerr: Secretary New Council Members for 2015/2016 Ed Kane Ed thanked Lynne profusely for her help, as well as Maggie. There were 76 nominees; 30 were called and 8 agreed to run. One thousand thirty six votes were cast. The following four candidates were elected: Peg Flower, Natalie Gallo, Monique Kucia and Scott Scala. Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors Ed O Reilly We are looking for Eucharistic ministers and lectors. A notice will be going in the Bulletin soon. 7. New Business The Dr. John Lawson Scholarship Dinner will take place on Saturday, June 13 th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Coordinators of the dinner would like each church involved to sell 40 adult tickets and 10 child tickets. Ticket sales will take place at all

5 masses on June 6 th and 7 th. Monsignor has contributed $ towards the dinner/fundraiser. Help with set up and clean up will be needed. 8. Next Meeting Our next Parish Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 2 nd at 6:00 p.m. at the rectory. At that time we will welcome and introduce our new members and say Thank you and bid farewell to our outgoing members. 9. Closing The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Minutes for 5/5/15