ST. MARY STAR OF THE SEA, PARISH COUNCIL
Council minutes for REGULAR meeting of November 9, 2004
At 7:02 pm, President Bob Bonato opened the meeting.
-Pastor, Father John Golas then read the scripture of the following week's Gospel and members discussed a question posed by Father that related to something in our own lives.
-Father mentioned that today was the feast day of the dedication of the church of St. John Lateran, Rome.
-In attendance were the council members Robert Bonato, President, James Doyle, Vice President, Neil Lynch, Historian, Joseph Fish, Secretary, Carole Charette, Ed O'Reilly, Thomas Carrier, Pat and Paul Robotham, Judy Welcome and Maury Goldberg. Trustees Ed Cruess, Sr. and Clare Archer, Deacon Michael Sponzo and Father John Golas, Rosemary Frombach and Marilyn Slabinski were also present. Absent from the meeting was Rick Daddario.
-Bob Bonato thanked all in attendance and noted that the numerous committees of the parish added to the vitality of the parish. New lists of committee chairpersons were distributed.
-September meeting notes had previously been distributed. Two spelling changes to the minutes as presented were made. A motion to accept the amended minutes was made by N. Lynch, seconded by P. Robotham, and passed by voice vote.
-Brother Robert Moriarty from the Archdiocese Office of Small Church Communities was introduced by Father Golas and Bob Bonato. Brother Moriarty explained the concept of developing small Christian communities in a parish and the benefits to the parishioners of such a program. The talk included a short period of silent meditation and conversation about the concepts he explained. Of note was that some of the ideas that he promotes were not necessarily just for small groups and that Father Golas has his meetings started in that manner already. He concluded with his offer to work with parish resources to develop a leadership group for the commencement of a small church community effort at St. Mary's.
-Father Golas suggested that the parish council consider the program and discuss a strategy at the next council meeting that might lead toward this initiative.
Committee Reports:
Confirmation
Karen Herbert, Youth Ministry Coordinator, reported that the confirmation program this year would include a one-day program at the Cathedral of St. Joseph and a retreat for the confirmation students.
-Karen also mentioned the LEAP program had its first meeting October 25th and would have its next meeting early in November. A schedule for future meetings should be made at the November meeting.
-Karen next read a report sent by Mary Lou Meigs on the K through 8 CCD program. A total of 665 students were enrolled this year, up from 585 last year; 20 more children in the second grade (the First Communion year) compared to last year-86 up from 66 last year.
-At present there are 76 catechists.
-During Advent the first group-Reconciliation for children will be held in early December.
-70 'Shoe Box' gifts were collected in October.
Liturgy
Rosemary Frombach reported the Lector training was made on October 13th and the next training session for new Lectors would be in the spring. Guidelines for Lectors would be finalized soon. Guidelines for Ushers, Cantors and Eucharistic Ministers would be worked on after those for Ushers were finalized.
-The choir now numbers 44 members; the 'Angel Voices' children's choir would sing at the masses on the second Sunday of the month from November through May.
-The Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service would be held on November 24th at 7:30 pm.
-The Christmas Pageant conducted by Donna LeBlanc will be on the 19th of December.
Women's Guild
Marilyn Slabinski reported that:
- The annual Pasta Supper on October 20, was a success, as was the Pie sale.
- The Guild Christmas party is scheduled for December 14th in the Gathering Space.
- The round tables in the Gathering Space were on order, paid for by the fundraisers.
Human Needs
Paul Robotham read from a report by co-chairperson, Paula Sutak:
-September saw a successful school supply drive.
-November is the Parish's turn for food pantry collections.
-The Parish Christmas tree will be up starting the weekend November 27-28,; possible recipients of the aid from the tree will be the Hispanic House Council, St. Elizabeth House, the Tabor House, and St. Justin's of Hartford.
-There will be five baby blankets donated to the Guild of St. Agnes.
-The Christmas Wreath Sale will end on the 14th of November.
-The January meeting will be to plan the spring's activities, to include the Teddy Bear festival to benefit the CT Children's Hospital.
Website
- Ed O'Reilly reminded everyone for updates on the website; there had been an average hit count of 10,000 in each of the last few months. Ed mentioned two domain names will lapse and that the site will retain the domain name www.stmary-unionville.org.
-Bob asked the heads of the various committees to inform Ed O'Reilly of details of their committees, including photos, so that Ed can include them on the site.
Parish Photo Directory
-Judy Welcome reviewed offers from three firms -Olan Mills, PAC and Artistic Images concerning a possible parish photo directory. In all three cases, the parish would need to provide 10 to 12 volunteers over four evenings for photographing parishioners. There appeared to be no cost to the parish in any of the offers to complete the project. There were a few points to be discussed with each of the vendors before a decision could be made. St. Mary's would submit photos and historical information. It's planned for after Easter.
New Church
Father Golas reported on the following updates:
-There is a completely new design in the hospitality room courtesy of the efforts of Donna LeBlanc.
-Ed Mack is to install the wainscoting from the old church building in the hospitality room.
-The round tables and stackable chairs for use in the gathering space are on order and should be coming soon. The stackable chairs will replace the folding ones and be used for mass overflow this Christmas.
-The last items on the builder's and architect's lists are being attended to over the next few months.
Old Church Committee
-Bob Bonato reported that with help from a referral from the Archdiocese office, Denis O'Sullivan sought the bid for abatement work which was approved by Jon LeBlanc's committee and the $73,000 process had begun. The demolition work, contracted to Jones Destruction of Farmington, would commence upon completion and certification of the abatement program, when a permit would then be sought from the Town government. Jones Destruction's contract includes 'grass scaping' on the lot once the materials are removed.
Ceremony for Old and New Churches Committee
- Ed O'Reilly reported that the structure of the old church is not safe for a service, so the 'closure' for the old building would coincide with the first anniversary of the 'new' church. The program will possibly consist of Vespers and a homily on the 13th of February 2005. The possibility of photographs from parishioners being displayed of weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies was brought up. A decision to start a committee in January to work with parishioners who would be willing to share photos was made.
Old Business
Bob reviewed old agenda items
-The Habitat for Humanity project is in the stages of completion.
New Business
-First evening event of the parish Fun Committee led by Rick Daddario is Game night on January 14, 2005.
-The Red Cross had requested the Parish to consider a Bloodmobile. James Doyle mentioned the Knights of Columbus host a bloodmobile, and that the Knight's facility is better suited to the logistics of a blood drive.
Building and Grounds Committee
-Bob Archer reported that the first meeting had been held with a review of the Hart House for possible improvements; a driveway extension, repairs to front porch and steps, hatchway repair and boiler maintenance were all reviewed.
-The Rectory had been reviewed and landscaping, paint and exterior patching to the rectory building, repairs to secure the garage and replace the wooden garage floor were all listed.
-At the parking lot near Perry Street the walkway needs improvement.
-The Cemetery now has a meditation area near the top of the hill in section 1A; in the spring there will be plantings to finish the work done in the fall.
Other Notes
-The passing of Usher, Ed Myers and Marilyn Slabinski's mother in law was noted. Masses will be offered.
-Father Golas reported the formation of two groups of the "Legion of Mary "in the parish. Each group had six to seven members-one meeting at 9:30 AM and the other at 7:00 PM. One goal is that of visitation of parishioners.
-Bob Bonato reported that a parishioner, Dee Dee Mihaliak, started a group of the "Little Flowers of St. Therese" which had 10 girls ages six through twelve. The meetings are monthly and Dee Dee was looking for additional speakers for the meetings. The girls work on projects and have discussions on the saints and the virtues.
-Bob Bonato asked the Parish Council to thank Donna LeBlanc for the work she had done on the Hospitality Room. It is now much warmer with a clever use of color and designs, all planned and executed by her.
-Father Golas led the Council in a closing prayer. The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Joseph Fish, Secretary
-Please let Bob Bonato know if you can serve on any of the committees.
-Next meeting: Tuesday, January 4.