St. Pius X Parish Pastoral Council The meeting was called to order by Frank P, President, at 7:00PM. Frank
said the opening prayer. In attendance: Frank Pugliano, Sandy Zelka, Tom Christman, Mike Rossi,
Pat Tobin, Frank Hughes, Dick Connery, John DeFilippo, Julianne Ruff,
Jean-Baptiste Zongo, Father Farano, Harvey Bowks, Jackie DeSanti and Marlene
Papa. Absent: Joe Tamer, Brian Evers, Peter Ranalli, Jeanne Pitkin, Dennis
Mullahy, Paul Kutey and Mark Morrison. Frank P. introduced Mike Rossi, our new youth representative and asked
all members to introduce themselves. Welcome, Mike. Frank reviewed the notes of the June 20th meeting. Harvey noted that
the meeting date shown on the notes is incorrect (should be June 20, not
June 13). There were no other additions or corrections. Sandy made a motion
to approve the minutes as amended, and Tom seconded the motion. All agreed. Frank reviewed the Action Items from the June meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS The parish picnic will be held on September 23 in the area behind the
parish center kitchen, the same as last year. Everyone agreed that is
a good location. Sue Krosky will again be the lead; as always, Sue can
use volunteers. The council’s executive committee suggested that there be a council
table at the picnic. They also suggested that all council members wear
a badge whenever they attend parish events, identifying themselves as
council members. The executive committee members all agree that council
members should be more visible so parishioners will know who we are, and
so they will be reminded that the council is active and involved throughout
the parish. Sandy volunteered to make name badges for all members. Tom Christman said that he would like to place a few words in the bulletin
regarding the Prayer Shawl Program. He relayed a very uplifting story
to the group. Sandy thanked the group for all of the acts of sympathy from the council
after her mom passed away recently. She mentioned that her mom was a crafter,
and that her mom left several boxes of yarn that may be useful to the
Prayer Shawl program. Tom said that the program will be very glad to have
the yarn. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Frank P. sent around a sign-up sheet to all members to make certain everyone
is placed on a committee. A copy of the committee assignments is attached. Frank also sent around a sign-up sheet asking that each council member
attend one of the monthly school board meetings throughout the school
year. A copy of the list of council members attending the school board
meetings is attached. MINISTRY FAIR The Parish Council sponsors a ministry fair once every two years. This
year, the Fair will be held on September 29th and 30th after all Masses.
Gayle Bouchard and committee will be in charge. They will be looking for
volunteers. If you are available to staff a parish council table at the
Fair after one of the weekend Masses, let Frank P. know before our September
meeting. Gayle asked the council members if they have any objections or concerns
about a few parishioners speaking briefly at Masses a week or two before
the Fair about their ministry and service experiences. No one had any
objections. Father Farano asked to meet with Gayle and whoever she recruits as speakers,
to ensure that everyone knows what is expected. Frank P. will pass this
information on to Gayle. PARISH CENSUS Fr. Farano, Tom, Pat, Nancy Uruskyj (parish business manager) and Frank
P. met to discuss issues pertaining to a parish wide census. Nancy explained
what information is stored on the parish data system (PDS), and provided
copies of the parish registration form, and samples of the types of letters/documents
that can be generated by the PDS. Following that meeting, Father spoke with Jim Kopp (executive director
of the diocesan Office of Development and Stewardship). Mr. Kopp told
Father that he is willing to meet with us to provide whatever guidance
and assistance he can. Frank will call Mr. Kopp to schedule a meeting
with him. PARENTS DROP-IN Brian Evers and Judy Ranalli are working on an informal drop-in for parents
who bring their children to Religious Ed classes on Sunday mornings. Dick
Connery discussed a drop-in at his previous parish, which started small
and blossomed. SOCIAL GET-TOGETHER Gayle Bouchard has discussed with several people the possibility of setting
up an informal get-together program for moms and pre-school age children.
Finding a suitable space for such a get-together is a problem. There should
be space to store toys and games, and room for the children to move around
in (but not too much room). The only possible feasible space at St. Pius
may be the front half of the parish hall. Gayle had concerns with that
space because of the potential for children to climb the steps to the
stage, where they could fall off. John said the stairs can be easily blocked.
Gayle will talk to Lou Buff about how to make the front half of the parish
hall a workable space for this program. If that doesn’t work out,
she said that she may invite people to her home, to get the program started. Frank would like to place a note in the bulletin thanking people for
their positive response to previous bulletin notes and pulpit announcements
asking people to adhere to the “No Parking, Fire Lane” signs.
Marlene noted that there still is not total compliance with the “No
Parking” request. She said that she was appalled on Saturday, August
18, to see that the “Fire Lane” in front of church was full
of cars after the 5:00Mass. CALLED TO BE CHURCH Frank made a brief presentation regarding the July/August meetings (both
of which were held on the same night in July). The next four meetings
will be held at St. Pius. Our Hospitality group will provide refreshments
for the four meetings at St. Pius. Frank also mentioned the creation of an oversight committee (comprised
of one representative from each of the six parishes in the local planning
group of which St. Pius is a member). This committee is charged with reviewing
all of the ideas, suggestions and proposals that are made at each of the
monthly CTBC meetings (including going back to all of the previous meetings
that have been held to date). After completing their review, the oversight
committee members will make recommendations to the pastors/parish life
director of the six parishes as to what actions the parishes can begin
to implement as a group. The oversight committee has held one meeting,
with a second meeting scheduled for August 29. REVISED TEXT OF PART VIII OF THE COUNCIL CONSTITUTION As a result of discussions at previous meetings, Frank P. drafted changes
to the language of Part VIII of the council constitution (“Standing
Committees of the Council”). A description of “Buildings and
Grounds” was added; the statement about “Christian Works and
Service” was revised; and the statement pertaining to an “Education”
committee was deleted. The changes were approved as drafted. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO COUNCIL CONSTITUTION Frank P. introduced some changes that he proposes be made to the council
constitution: discontinue the use of Roman numerals in the document; change
the statement about how council officers are selected, to reflect the
fact that officers are no longer voted into their positions, but are discerned;
and change the start of the council year from June to September, and eliminate
the requirement that council meetings be held in July and August. The proposed amendments will be discussed at the next meeting (September). PART 7 OF “MISSION OF A CONTEMPORARY PARISH” This is the last discussion piece from the “Study Guide”
for Bishop Hubbard’s article entitled, “The Mission of a Contemporary
Parish”. Frank P. began by saying that he thinks that several of the questions
posed in the “Study Guide” for this section are difficult
to respond to; he isn’t even sure what some of them mean. One of
the questions asks” “What would it take for us to be a loving
community of faith and service?” Frank asked: “Are we a loving
community of faith and service”? Several people responded that St.
Pius is such a place. They cited examples from their own experience as
to why St. Pius is, at least to us, a special place and community. Pat asked the question: “Is there a difference between topics raised
in pastoral planning meetings between churches from suburban areas and
churches in the inner cities? Many parish members in other areas feel
that their parishes may be closed”. Father said that there is a
difference in the climate amongst the clusters during these monthly “Called
To BE Church” planning meetings and discussions. He said that parishioners
in some areas (for example, Cohoes and Amsterdam) are more anxious because
they are concerned that it will be very difficult to sustain parishes
as they exist now. He thinks that the biggest changes most parishes will
see is whether or not the parish will have a resident pastor or a parish
life director serving as administrator, and a priest assigned as a sacramental
minister. PASTOR’S COMMENTS Frank reviewed the Action Items from tonight’s meeting. Frank led the closing prayer, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:30PM. Next meeting: Wednesday, September
19 (dinner at 6:30, followed by the meeting at 7:00) Respectfully Submitted Marlene Papa
August 15, 2007
FIRE LANE PARKING
Father suggested that we continue to include a reminder in the bulletin
about not parking in the fire lanes (maybe once a month). Father also
asked Frank to write a note for the bulletin.
Frank P. said that, in the spring of next year, the parish representatives
who are participating in the monthly “Called to Be Church”
meetings will be making specific recommendations to the bishop about the
future of the Albany diocese. He said that the members of our parish council
who will be serving in the next two-three years will be the ones who will
be implementing the changes that result from the recommendations coming
out the CTBC meetings.