St. John Fisher - Parish Council Minutes from Meeting November 11, 2014 (with Attachments #1 through #2) Parish Staff/Trustees Parish Council (Term Exp) Other Attendees Rev. Thomas Sas Ex-officio Dcn. John McKaig Gale Busemeyer (T) Doug Meyer (T) Non-voting Kathleen Filosa, DMM Kelly Henderschedt, DRE A R R * Barbara Meyer (P) (05/15) * Gil Thompson (VP) (05/15) ** Matt Wilson (S) (05/17) * Paulette Adams (05/15) * Nanette Frost (05/17) * Carlos Pina (05/15) **Anne Hooker (05/17) R Cheryl Egazarian Nadia Bodey Doug Thibodeau Jim Castellani Sheri Dursin Jennifer O Neill **Hailey Fox (Youth Rep) (n/a) *Elected Members **Appt Members (T-Trustees) (P-President) (VP-Vice President) (S-Secretary) =present R=regrets A=absent A A I. CALL TO ORDER PC President, B. Meyer 7:03 PM Introduction of newly appointed Parish Council members Anne Hooker, Matt Wilson and Hailey Fox (Youth Representative) II. OPENING PRAYER- Fr. Sas Father spoke of forgiveness you are more to me then what you just did III. PARISHIONERS COMMENTS Fall decorations looked beautiful. Kudos to Sandy S. and Christine Czuj and thanks to Paul and Sandy s for donations. IV. REVIEW MINUTES of September 9, 2014 All Based on the fact that there was a quorum of serving elected PC members at this meeting, the minutes for the 9/9/2014 meeting were reviewed and subjected to a vote. All present voted unanimously, yea. Minutes were accepted. Gil Thompson voted to accept the minutes as presented and Nan Frost seconded the vote. V. PASTOR S COMMENTS Fr. Thomas Sas Father Sas thanked everyone who made the Parish Picnic and the rededication of St. Thomas More Hall a success. The Annual Collection was up to approximately 20% participation, with a hope that 25% could be reached. Currently $300 short of goal. VI. DEACON S COMMENTS Dcn. John McKaig No report VII. COMMITTEE/MINISTRY REPORTS PASTORAL CARE Christian Outreach Committee Barbara Meyer Make a Difference Day was hosted on Saturday, October 25 th in St Thomas More Hall. About 20 senior citizens enjoyed lunch served by the middle schoolers, the entertainment from Jim and Emma Henderschedt. Enough food was left over to feed two other families in town, as well as providing 6 take-out meals. Costs are still being compiled, but a 2 nd Annual Autumn Luncheon is proposed for next year. It is hoped that the attendees who enjoyed the first luncheon will help get word out about the next one. 1
A wreath with local restaurant cards created by Donna Bergman was donated to the annual auction to support AHM Youth and Family Services. In a departure from the Giving Tree approach of previous years, the focus of this Christmas Season will be on the needs of our adopted family and the children of the food bank. A display coordinated with the parish decorating contact will potentially include a smaller tree, or a banner and two baskets. It is thought that there will be about 80 gifts requested. An effort is being made to provide more opportunities for parishioners to serve local needs. A monthly Sunday meal for food bank patrons is being coordinated with the Congregational Church and another organization in town. We will have the opportunity to prepare and staff the drive-up meals using the facilities at the Congregational Church. All 100 bags for the Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Food Bank were distributed after Mass. The bag/attached list approach used in the past few years is effective in providing the items requested by the Food Bank. The suggestion was made to contact the Food Bank to see if they needed additional bags of non-perishable staples. Suggestion to provide additional bags and lists for next year as supply ran out for 10:30 Mass. The confirmation class wrapped presents for the Marlborough Health Care Center Comfort & Warmth Prayer Shawl Ministry The ministry is seeking additional members. Ministry meets 1st Saturday of the month at church; knitting may also be done at home (if unable to make the meetings). All supplies are provided. Prayer Line Group is active. It was pointed out that all callers into the Prayer Line may call in anonymously, if they choose. Also, callers may elect to keep their prayers anonymous as well. The Prayer Line call-takers will handle all calls as the caller chooses. Youth Prayer Group Kelly Henderschedt mentioned that the Youth Group was currently on hiatus LITURGICAL Altar Serving Ministry Nadia Bodey 3 rd, 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th Graders were approached to be altar servers, and the response was enthusiastic. Eucharistic Ministry Dcn. John It was recommended that information about the Eucharistic Ministry should be added to the bulletin to help communicate the availability of the service, in addition to adding to the Rivereast News and Notes. Eucharistic ministers provide communion to the home bound, Sunday Eucharist and Eucharist on Fridays to the Marlborough Health Care Center. Greeting Ministry - Bill & Janette Dziatko Fr. Sas reported that the roster of greeters is currently adequate. Liturgical Committee Fr. Sas Fr. Sas reported that new members have joined and are excited about the opportunity to decorate the altar and interior church for the various liturgical holidays, feasts, etc. Music Ministry Kathleen Filosa, Director The Music Ministry Report stated that preparations were underway for Advent/Christmas and a call was put out for Adults and Children interested in singing for Christmas. Lector Ministry Fr. Sas While the roster is adequate, we always need more. 2
EDUCATION & FAITH DEVELOPMENT Faith Formation Kelly Henderschedt, DRE Protect Gods Children Training Almost 100% trained. Expect another session in the winter (2014/2015). 10 th Grade Confirmation Sunday, November 16, 2014 Jen O Neill and Mark Dursin are coordinating. 25 students will be confirmed; 2 students opted to postpone the sacrament. 9 th Grade Confirmation Preparatory Group 38 students. The Advent Retreat Program, Oh Sweet Jesus, Is There Hope for Us? will be presented by Noranne Wamester on Tuesday, December 9, 9:15-10:45 am or 7-8:30 pm. Youth Ministry Jen O Neil, Director Youth Night was a success. More are planned. RCIA- Jim Castellani Sadly, there are no candidates or catechumens in the current season. ADMINISTRATIVE Finance Council Fr. Sas (Trustees or Comm Members) Meeting planned After 4 th Quarter 2014 ends. 3rd quarter review of budget; P&L and balance sheet all look good Collections are good The Parish Annual Appeal started in October. Goal is $27,500. 2015 Budget due to Archdiocese by mid-february In 2013/14 each family was asked to consider a gift of $125 per family. Response was very good and we exceeded last year s goal. Maintenance Committee - Doug Thibodeau Fr. Sas Reported Rectory Chimney Repair Needed and are planned for November 2014. Redo outside lights around the parking lot Down spouts and drain outside the kitchen door to be worked on to reduce ice build up Communications Ministry Cheryl Egazarian Cheryl suggested a new directory and that a St. John Fisher Facebook page be considered. A flyer for Elections was completed following last meeting as well as some printed materials for the Day of Service Senior Luncheon. Press releases coming up will be Picnic follow up picture, KofC pig roast picture, Confirmation picture (the RiverEast is hard to get into during political season) Sheri & Cheryl met to firm up the Advent Offerings informational page and Calendar Featured ministries coming up in 2015 (no set dates yet): Youth Prayer Team, Prayer Line, Website/online giving, Christian Outreach, Lectors Web Ministry Gil Thompson (See Web Ministry Report Attachment 1.) PARISH LIFE Welcome Ministry Sheri Dursin (or other) Name tags were suggested as an aid for new members get to know fellow parishioners. The previous welcome Coffee Hour was discussed, and ideas were discussed on how to increase participation among new member families, many of whom have small children and may have difficulty scheduling when they can participate. Social Activities Committee Cheryl Egazarian An announcement needs to be made to find someone to take over the annual picnic. The Social Activities Committee will be hosting the 8:30 am coffee hour on December 14th. The 4th Grade Faith Formation class will be hosting the 10:30 am coffee hour. 3
First Quarter 2015, we will be putting together a committee for the "40th Anniversary of St. John Fisher Parish being built" in 2016. First Quarter 2015, we will put together a committee to explore the option of a dance. Knights of Columbus Subby Magro Jim Castellani reported: 2 nd Annual Coat Drive is underway Pancake breakfast is planned for January. Men s Prayer Group Peter Yorio, Mike O Neill No report. Regular 1 st Thursday and 3 rd Saturday (morning) sessions continue. All men are welcome. Women s Faith Group - No report. Bereavement Ministry Gil Thompson Gil contacted Lucy Zocco who is listed as a contact for courses at the seminary in Bloomfield. She gave Gil the phone number, 203 230 2460, for the Family Life Office located in Hamden, Ct. She suggested that Gil speak with Sr. Mauryeen O Brien, 203 865 7305. When Gil called the Family Life Office, he was told Sr. O Brien has written books on bereavement and although she is now retired. She is still involved in this ministry. A new director is being assigned and will hopefully be in place in December and the Family Life Office is being moved to the seminary in Bloomfield. They plan to offer courses then. Gil will reach out again after the New Year to see where they are and how we can best get a program setup at St. John Fisher. VIII. OLD BUSINESS IX. NEW BUSINESS Father Sas reported that the priests of the Archdiocese had a very productive meeting last week during their Convocation. A pastoral plan is being developed over the next 3 to 5 years for the Archdiocese. The process used was a review of SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) priests, parishioners and pastoral councils will all be asked for input/suggestions. Parish Council Elections Barbara Meyer was nominated for President, Motion (Nan F.); 2nd (Gil T.), all present voted unanimously, yea. Gil Thompson was nominated for Vice President, Motion (Gale B.); 2nd (Nan F.), all present voted unanimously, yea. Matt Wilson was nominated for Secretary, Motion (Barbara M.); 2nd (Gale B.), all present voted unanimously, yea. X. NEXT MEETING - Tuesday, January 13, 2015; ( 7:00-8:30 PM ) Email Committee Reports to Matt Wilson (mwilsonct@gmail.com) by January 5, 2015 XI. ADJOURNMENT 8:43 PM Motion (Barbara M.); 2 nd (Father Sas) XII. CLOSING PRAYER - Offered by Father Sas - Next time I look for God - I won t think, I will listen. 4
(Attachment 1) (submitted by Fr. Sas November 11, 2014) (Page 1 of 1) Pastor s Report Now that all the negative ads are behind, time for some positive news. The parish picnic got us off to a great start. We lucked on the weather again. Thanks to all who made it such a success beginning with the rededication of the St. Thomas More Hall and ending with the cleanup. The hall was a wow factor for the parishioners who saw it for the first time. Our Annual Collection is going along with almost 20% participation. If we could get 25%, it would be very successful, All the rest I could report is included in other reports. I will make appropriate comment when they are given. The priests of the Archdiocese had a very productive meeting last week during our Convocation. I will make a report concerning Pastoral Planning at this meeting under New Business. 5
WEB MINISTRY Page 1 of 2 - (Attachment 2) (submitted by Gil Thompson, Webmaster/St. John Fisher Parish Council November 11, 2014) STJFChuch.org Website Report 1. Attached Analytics report contains details for September October: a. Summary: i. 1,036 sessions; how many times the site was visited. ii. 3,476 pages were viewed iii. 2 minutes and 20 seconds; average time spent by visitor iv. 66.12% bounce rate; percentage of people who came to the site then left right away. v. 3.36 pages average per visit. 2. Site activity: a. Increased activity with Music Ministry visits b. Bulletin Board, Song List, Father Sas, & Faith Formation next active. 3. In the process of Cleaning the attic on the campsite. a. Removing all files from 2012, most from 2013. Keeping 2014 for now. b. Still on to do list; cleanup graphics files\ 4. All ministries should review their pages on our website with the view of removing outdated information and articles. a. Perhaps need to encourage ministry leaders to utilize the web more? b. Visitors are coming to the site and finding very little up to date information other than the Bulletin Board. 6
WEB MINISTRY Page 2 of 2 - (Attachment 2) (submitted by Gil Thompson, Webmaster/St. John Fisher Parish Council November 11, 2014) 7