ST. PIUX X PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Tom Christman is the contact for coordinating these charity efforts and should be contacted with details to fit into the Church calendar.
November 19, 2008
Frank Hughes called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Prayer intentions were made for Jack Galloway and Dick Dowd and others. Frank led an opening prayer
IN ATTENDANCE
In attendance: Justyn Bates, Harvey Bowks, Kate Burns, Tom Christman, Richard Connery, John DeFilippo, Jackie DeSanti, Brian Evers, Father Farano, Frank Hughes, Paul Kutey, Father Steve Moore, Principal Dennis Mullahy, Mary Nardolillo, Frank Pugliano, Jeanne Pitkin, Peter Ranalli, Mike Rossi, Jean Baptiste Zongo, Dan Smith, Walter Sheahan (Parishioner guest), Jim Thayer (School Board Rep), and Marlene Papa.
Absent: Cindy Pettit
October Meeting Notes were previously e-mailed. October Meeting Notes were reviewed, discussed, and approved as drafted with one change under the heading Parish Survey. The sentence should read: “One goal will be discuss reasons why they are not involved.” Justyn Bates made a motion to accept the change and seconded by Mary Nardolillo. All approved. The edited notes have since been put on the Parish website.
Parishioner’s comments - At the previous meeting we discussed that anyone could make suggestions to add agenda items to the Parish Council for discussion. Walter Sheahan contacted Frank and arranged to speak with the Committee.
Mr. Sheahan spoke to the council members to bring to their attention concerns he has with respect to: the washing of six men and six women’s feet at the Holy Thursday liturgy; the frequent use of a piano at Mass instead of the organ; and the need to recruit more boys as altar servers because this could lead to an increase in the number of priests.
Frank H. thanked Mr. Sheahan for taking the time to come to the council meeting, and for expressing his concerns to the council members. Frank said that Mr. Sheahan’s comments and concerns would be forwarded to the appropriate Committee for consideration.
October meeting Action Items - Reviewed by Frank Hughes, highlights include:
Parking maps as bulletin inserts and also posted at all of the church entrances were discussed. The map will show the places where parishioners and guests should not park. There have been suggestions that it is very difficult to read our maps since they are difficult to duplicate without making them dark. Father Farano said he would put a note in the bulletin discouraging parking in inappropriate spaces particularly handicapped parking and fire lanes. There has been some thought regarding the placing of cones in the front of the church in the Fire Lane.
Tom Christman mentioned that Hannaford is assisting the “poor” with a plan to distribute food items. You may buy food products for $l0.00 and can receive much additional value there. The items will be brought directly to our local recipients.
Committee reports we distributed to PPC members prior to the meeting and discussed.
Over 4,000 items were delivered from the St. Pius X School to our food pantry recipients. Some children helped distribute the food and they had a wonderful time. Pictures were taken.
Parish Survey
There will be a meeting on 12/8 to discuss the results of the Parish Survey. Don Levy from Siena will make the presentation. The presentation will consist of a Power Point presentation by Don Levy and a brief question and answer session. It has been suggested that if anyone had comments regarding the survey their names should be taken at the meeting. Most importantly, if we take names we should call back. Father Farano said that he will edit the comments made in the survey. There were many comments and copies of these will be sent to the respective committees. Father will have the Survey date announced from the Pulpit on Nov. 26 – Nov. 27 and December 6th and December 7th. It has been requested that as many as possible from the Parish Council attend.
Kate Burns will work as liaison with the Welcoming Committee to review the comments
regarding related issues to the Welcoming Committee.
Evangelization Committee
Bishop Hubbard has put together a task force to work on forming Evangelization Committees in all of the parishes. We do not know if they will be a cluster project or if it will be a committee from each parish. There was much discussion and Father Steve said perhaps we should wait until the results of “Called to be Church “are announced.
The Task Force meetings on Evangelization commence on December 2 and will continue for 12 weeks. Recommendations will be made by March of 09.
Eucharistic Minister Training
Eucharistic Minister training and procedures were discussed and Frank P will apply the discussion topics are required.
Other Charities Considered
The Council discussed other areas where St Pius X could assist in the community. Several were mentioned including
Action items from this meeting were reviewed by Frank H and have since been disseminated.
Father Farano’s Comments
Father Farano mentioned that there are many organizations that are looking for assistance where the Parish can help. These efforts should coordinated through Tom. Also, we should coordinate our efforts through Catholic Charities if possible/
Father Farano shared his concerns over the Freedom of Choice Act. The act will eliminate; parental notification for minors, 24 hours mandatory waiting period and will enable partial birth abortion to be performed until the day of delivery of a fetus. Father said that there will be serious problems if hospitals are required to perform abortions and if the staff: physicians and nurses are required to participate in medical proceedings which are against their religious or personal beliefs.
The Parish newsletter was sent out.
There will be an “Open House” for the School
Welcoming Committees are a struggle for many Parishes.
Father mentioned the variation of the rite of washing of the feet during the Easter season.
Closing prayer was led by Father Moore.
The next meeting will be held on December 17. A list was sent around to sign-up to bring appetizers, paper products and drinks.