ST. MARY STAR OF THE SEA, PARISH COUNCIL


Council minutes for REGULAR meeting of March 22, 2004

President Rosemary Frombach called the meeting of the Parish Council to order, for the first time, in the new St. Mary's gathering space at 7:06 P. M.. Present were Rosemary Frombach, Pres.; Robert Bonato, V. P.; Neil Lynch, Sec'y; Fr. John Golas; elected members Tom Carrier, Carol Charette, Jim Doyle, Pat Messina, MaryJane Oliveira, Ed O'Reilly, Judy Welcome; Trustee Ed Cruess, Sr.; and Jane Derasadourian. Absent were Deacons Michael Sponzo and Tom Sutak; elected members Jon LeBlanc and Mary Yale.

Rosemary called on Fr. Golas who, following a moment of reflection and an opening prayer, read the gospel for the following Sunday (John 8: 1-11), after which he commented on it. He then charged the Council members to discuss among themselves the role that unexpected happenings play in our life.

MINUTES: MOVED (Tom, Ed C), that the Minutes of January 26,2004 be accepted. Carried unanimously.

Rosemary, on behalf of the Council, recognized Ed C for his being selected to receive the St. Joseph Archdiocesan Medal of Appreciation by Archbishop Mansell. She also noted that "get well" cards had recently been sent to Mary Yale and Ed Welcome. A Mass requested by the Parish Council in memory of the late Father Francois Croteau was celebrated in early March.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
 Social Action-Pat reported on the "Soup and Bread Meal" which was held Sunday in the gathering space. It was particularly successful this year in terms of the offerings and the number of those who attended.

Website-Ed 0' noted that the web site is celebrating its first birthday and the number of "hits" continues to rise dramatically. A suggestion box will be added shortly to the site. He is always receptive to new ideas.

Women's Guild-Carole informed the Council that information on the annual scholarships is available. She also said that the poor weather last Tuesday kept attendance down for the Guild's St. Patrick's Day party/meeting.

Religious Education-Jane reported on the VIRTUS program for prospective teachers held recently in the gathering space. Despite some technical difficulties, she felt it was worthwhile. She is concerned, however, how the requirement, which entails a year's follow-up, will affect the availability of teachers. Jane feels that the program will have to be offered again in the Fall. She continues to be impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment of the present candidates for Confirmation. MaryLou's written report noted that over 70 catechists attended the "Awareness Training Session". She, iike many of the attendees, felt somewhat overwhelmed by I the requirements. She reported that the first parent/child gathering for First Communion was held in which both groups were informed of the concepts to be stressed during the year. She anticipates doing something similar next year because of its success. The Family Mass seems to be functioning more smoothly than ever this year. Deacon Mike's written report highlighted the Echoes of Faith Series being moderated by him, Father Golas and Deacon Tom. Those in attendance have shown considerable interest in the presentations. His report also discussed the R. C.I.A. program which has six parishioners comprising the leadership team. There are five catechumens and one candidate, all in preparation for the Easter Vigil ceremony.

Liturgy-Father Golas,. assisted by Rosemary, reported on special activities during Holy Week. For example, a full procession will take place at the 9:30 Mass on April 4 but not at the other Masses. Responding to the suggestion that a Mass be added on Holy Days of Obligation, Father stated that he was open to changing the times of the Masses but that adding another Mass was not in line with diocesan directives.

Respect Life-MaryJane reported that, because of the success of the "baby bottle" campaign last year, it will be repeated. She noted that March 29 is Respect Life Day and that there will be special activities in Hartford :hat day. Fr. Golas added that it is Catholic Concerns Day and that many Catholic issues will be pressed on the Legislators at that time.

PARISH MISSION: Fr. Golas further spelled out the activities attendant upon Holy Week. He also discussed the Parish Mission coming up next week.

NEW CHURCH UPDATE: Fr. Golas stated that the new Tabernacle is presently being installed, and that the outside statue of St Mary and the sign in front of the former St. Mary's Church will be moved to the new Church. A meeting of the Decor Committee to oversee the decorations, appearance, care and maintenance of the new St. Mary's has been held. There was some discussion about giving the many new parishioners the opportunity to make a financial contribution to the new structure but there was no resolution reached.

COUNCIL ELECTION:-Rosemary discussed the sequence of happenings leading to the electron of four new members of the Council. A committee chaired by Tom Carrier with members Carol Charette, Judy Welcome, and Neil Lynch will handle the election.

OLD BUSINESS: Issues brought up included the problem of people parking their cars in fire lanes, a path needed for residents of Maple Village to use in getting to church, and the number of newly planted shrubs that have died over the winter.

NEW BUSINESS:
Now that the new Church is up and running, Fr. Golas addressed the problem of what to do with the former St. Mary's. A committee, composed partly of Council members Bob Bonato, Ed Cruess, Sr., Jim Doyle, Jon LeBlanc, Neil Lynch, Ed. O'Reilly, and Judy Welcome, has been charged with analyzing the building in terms of its disposition and the costs involved. No time frame was set for completion of these tasks. Fr. Golas distributed draft copies of Neil Lynch's history of St. Mary's Church since its centennial in 1976 to the present.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place in the gathering space on Monday, May 3,2004 with an anticipated starting time of 7 P. M. Council members are reminded that a photograph of the group will be taken at that meeting. Fr. Golas led the Council in a closing prayer before Rosemary adjourned the meeting at 9:08 P.M.
Cornelius Lynch, Secretary