Frank P. called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.  Frank led the opening prayer and asked us to remember Judy Ranalli in our prayers.

In attendance: Dick Connery, Tom Christman, Frank Pugliano, Julianne Ruff, Jackie DeSanti, Joe Tamer, Mike Rossi, Frank Hughes, John DeFilippo, Fr. Farano, Brian Evers, Dennis Mullahy, Marlene Papa and Paul Kutey.

Absent: Mark Morrison, Peter Ranalli, Jeanne Pitkin, Harvey Bowks, Jean-Baptiste Zongo and Sandy Zelka.

Frank reviewed the December notes.  Dick made a motion to approve the notes as drafted, and Jackie seconded the motion.  All agreed.

Frank reviewed the Action Items from the December meeting.

COMMITTEE/PROGRAM REPORTS

Prayer & Worship

Elizabeth Simcoe, director of the diocesan Office of Prayer and Worship, conducted a training session for five new lectors and several of our current lectors.  A lot of material was covered.  Joe Tamer said it was the best presentation on lectoring that he has attended.

School Board

Pat represented the parish council and the January school board meeting, and reported on the following items that were discussed at the meeting:

• Winter’s Night Out – largest fundraiser event for the school each year
• Bullying Program – one purpose of the program, which has been very successful in Guilderland, is to have anyone (including students) who witnesses a bullying incident, become proactive.  Another objective is to keep parents involved.
• Open House will be held on Sunday, January 27, from 2:00 – 4:00.

Jackie will represent the parish council at the school board meeting in February.

UPDATES

Mom’s Group

The Mom’s Group is off to a good start with increasing participation.  Tables are set up in the front half of the Parish Center to block out some space.  Fr. Farano suggests that the church can buy some moveable barriers that can be used instead of having to use tables. Pat will talk to Gayle Bouchard about Father’s suggestion.  The group will continue to meet twice a month.

Credit Verification Report

The members of the Finance Committee discussed the possibility of having the parish pay for a credit record verification for parishioners who had checks stolen during the break-in of parish property.  To this point, no one who had a check stolen has reported any problem with the checks or their bank accounts.  The school is not offering a credit check to families.

Google Map of Church/School Parking Areas

Mike Rossi did a wonderful job producing a “Google map” of church and school grounds, identifying where people may park for liturgies and events at the church and school, and where they are not allowed to park.  Thanks, Mike.

We have been reminding people at Mass about parking restrictions via notes in the bulletin and occasional announcements in church.  We will discuss at the February meeting whether we want to supplement those efforts by printing the map and inserting it in the bulletin for the information of our parishioners.  We may also want to post the map to the parish web site, for the information of visitors to St. Pius.

Parish Survey

There has been a minor delay in finalizing the survey document that has been drafted by Dr. Don Levy and his staff at the Siena Research Institute.  However, comments on the latest draft have been sent returned to the SRI, and a meeting to complete discussion of the survey document, and to put dates on the various steps in the survey process is scheduled for February 7.

A note about the survey was placed in the bulletin in late December, and a brief announcement about it was made at all Masses in mid-January.  Fr. Farano will discuss the survey from the pulpit before it is disseminated to all parishioners.

Proposed Amendment to Council Constitution

A notice to parishioners concerning a proposed amendment to the council constitution was published in the bulletin.  No parishioners have come forward with comments, so the council members voted to approve the amendment.

The change that has been approved gives council members the ability to determine what changes to the constitution should be referred to parishioners for consideration and comment.  Previously, all proposed changes to the constitution, regardless of how insignificant, had to be referred to parishioners for consideration before they could be adopted by the council. 

Pastor’s Comments

• Ann Smith will be filling in for Judy Ranalli.  Ann will be working a couple of days a week.
• The diocese will conduct a drawing for tickets to the Pope’s visit to New York City.
• Father thanked Ellie Peterson, Brian and Jerry Forenzo for all of the work they did in preparing for, and coordinating, the memorial service for Senator Bruno’s wife.  The senator was effusive in his compliments to Fr. Farano (Marlene added this comment).  Thanks to all of the parish staff.

Jackie asked if there is a point when the parish can say “no” to a request for the use of our church or hall.  She noted that, often, these events entail a great deal of work for our staff.  Father cited a few instances when he has said “no”, particularly when the event is on a weekend.

Frank said the closing prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Marlene Papa

Next Meeting……………….Wednesday, February 13 * at 7:00 pm.

*  Our next meeting is one week earlier than usual because of school vacation.