The December 17th meeting was called to order by Frank Hughes, President, at 7:10PM.  Special intentions were requested for friends, relatives and neighbors followed by an opening prayer focused on Evangelization provided by Jeanne Pitkin. Before the meeting, the Parish Council shared lovely groups of appetizers and dessert. 

In Attendance
Harvey Bowks, Kate Burns, Tom Christman, Richard Connery, John DeFilippo, Jackie DeSanti, Brian Evers, Father Farano, Frank Hughes, Paul Kutey, Father Steve Moore,  Mary Nardolillo, Cindy Pettit, Frank Pugliano, Peter Ranalli, Mike Rossi, Jean Baptiste Zongo, Stephanie Brennan (School Board Rep), and Marlene Papa.

November Meeting Notes were previously e-mailed.  November Meeting Notes were reviewed, discussed, and approved as drafted with changes that included making Parishioner comments discussion more concise. Harvey Bowks made a motion to accept the notes with changes and this was seconded by Tom Christman. All approved. The edited notes have since been put on the Parish website.

November meeting Action Items - Reviewed by Frank Hughes, highlights include:

The Parish Survey “Feedback Forum” was held on December 8th giving all Parishioners and opportunity to receive feedback on the survey and the approach to next steps to be taken by the parish as a result of their input.

The Parish Survey Results were posted to the Parish website as provided by Siena.

Committee Reports were distributed to PPC members prior to the meeting and discussed.

Tom Christman wanted to personally thank Brian Evers and Jerry Forenzo for their help with the clothing drive.  They also brought two huge bags to Homeless Action.

A nativity set, complete with a crèche (made to house the set), was donated to one of our Sister Parishes by a generous parishioner.  The cards collected from the Giving Tree were distributed to the Sister Parishes.

Parish Survey Discussion

Frank Pugliano said there were about 40 persons present at the 12/8/08 meeting to discuss the Parish Survey.  The Power Point presented by Don Levy was excellent; clear and concise.

The topic of Evangelization and an Evangelization Committee will be reviewed at the March meeting.  The Bishop’s Task Force on including Fr. Moore and Jeanne Pitkin will be formed to commence the discussion. 

School Board Report

A committee from the St. Pius X School Board has been assembled to discuss strategic planning.  A special effort will be made to try to retain those students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades.  The lower grades and the pre-k program are doing well.

Winter’s Night Out, a major fundraiser for the school, will be held on 2/7/09 at Wolfert’s Roost.  There will be a change in format; prizes and the Silent Auction will be interspersed with the activities all night.  The theme this year will be Roaring 20’s. Stephanie said there will be more of an effort to encourage parishioners to come to Winter’s Night Out.

The State of New York has announced that there will be a cut in the money funded to private schools for mandated services.  It will be even larger in the future since the original cuts (2008) were never restored.  Cuts will have to be made in the budget to accommodate the loss of funds.

Plans and some actions have already been put into effect for savings.

Father Farano’s Comments

The Bishop has all “Called To Be Church” information.  A great deal of cooperation between parishes will be required. 

The announcements will be made in the next few months:

• Some parishes will be merged
• Some parishes will be closed
• Some parishes will have successor parishes where three parishes are merged into one main parish. 

Father Farano said he does not know how much “hue and cry” will be made but all practicing Catholics will need to realize that there will be some changes in parishes.

Father Moore led the closing prayer. 

Father Farano’s birthday was celebrated with a delicious cake!

Respectfully Submitted
Marlene Papa, Secretary