Council Minutes

ST. MARY STAR OF THE SEA, PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Parish Council Regular meeting, January, 2005

At 7:00 pm, President Bob Bonato opened the meeting.
-Pastor, Father John Golas led the council in prayer and then read the scripture of the Gospel according to Mathew chapter 3, verses 13 to 17.

-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, Rick Daddario and Maury Goldberg. Trustees Ed Cruess, Sr. and Clare Archer, Deacon Michael Sponzo and Father John Golas; Rosemary Frombach(Liturgy Committee) and BobArcher(Building and Grounds, Cemetery) was also present.

-November meeting notes had previously been distributed. One wording change in the Liturgy committee report section to the minutes as presented was made. A motion to accept the amended minutes was made by C. Charette seconded by E. O’Reilly, and passed by voice vote.

-Bob Bonato thanked Father Golas and all the committees’ chairs for the many activities during the Christmas season in the parish. New lists of committee chairpersons were distributed.

Committee Reports:
Religious Education -Father Golas read the report on K through 8th grade activity from M. L. Meigs: the second grade students received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation in December; 120 gifts were collected by students and presented to residents of Care Manor; the Christmas Pageant was held December 19th, Donna LeBlanc directed the fifty plus children ages 4 through 14 in the ”Light of the World” production. Junior lectors from grades 6-8 are being trained for 9:30 massess.

Confirmation - Jane Derasadourian reported the Confirmation candidates include 55 grade 9 students and 67 in grade ten. The format for study differs in each grade- both groups include a service component which includes, among other projects work with Sands Elementary School in Hartford. There will be a letter sent to parents of the Confirmation candidates about the class trip to be held January nineteenth in the St. Joseph Cathedral, Hartford.

LEAP -Jane also reported on the LEAP (Life Everlasting Awakening Possibilities) program. Twenty-five to thirty students from the ninth and tenth grades attend; recent events included attendance at a Sean Forrest concert on December 19th. A planned, chaperoned activity on January 29th is a ‘Lockdown’ and on May 7th a ‘Home front’ activity is scheduled.

Liturgy -Rosemary Frombach reported that the Parish mission would be from March 12th through 16th, featuring Father Victor Hoagland of the Passionist Order. The themes for the mission will be announced early in February.

The Christmas Liturgies were all well received; the Church decorating Committee did a fine job.
Deacon Tom is preparing a Lenten service program on the Eucharist.
The Liturgy committee reviewed the change of Sunday mass times regarding the 9:30 and 11:00 masses. At the present time, the 11:00 mass attendees overlap with attendees of the 9:30 mass, particularly for parking. After some discussion, it was determined that the Liturgy committee should survey the Ushers, Altar Servers, Collection Counters and Father Gatzak to determine the effects of either time changes of 9:00 and 11:00 or 9:30 and 11:30. Results will be discussed at the next Council Meeting. Changes would not occur until summer.

Women's Guild – Carole reported for Marilyn Slabinski that the Guild Christmas party was held December 14th in the Gathering Space. The party was catered by Emily’s of Bristol, the event was well attended and the caterer’s efforts were praised. The Guild is supporting many of the activities listed under various committees’ reports.

Website Ed O’Reilly explained the working of the parish website and displayed many of its features to the council. The sight is at www.stmary-unionville.org and is easy to navigate and presents many useful features to members of the parish. He encourages committees to submit current information and photos.

Human Needs

Pat Robotham read from a report by co-chairpersons, Paula Sutak and Marlene Lindquist:
Sales of the Christmas Wreaths grossed $1,051.50; the Giving Tree received over $2,300 in donations for the Farmington Fuel Bank and gifts for 23 sponsored families selected for the parish by the Hispanic Family Council, as well as donations to residents of Children’s Medical Center, St. Elizabeth House and the Tabor House. Additionally, food baskets for eight Farmington residents were donated and gifts for two town families. The November Food Drive for the town was also successful
The January meeting will be to plan the spring’s activities, to include the Teddy Bear festival to benefit the CT Children’s Hospital.
The next food drive will be in the month of April.

Ceremony for Old and New Churches Committee -Ed O’Reilly reported on plans for the anniversary weekend of the new church. After Sunday masses are complete, the program will possibly consist of Vespers and a homily on the 13th of February, 2005.

he Women’s Guild will provide refreshments.
A gate fold style program is suggested to be used to mark the occasion.
The possibility of photographs from parishioners being displayed of weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies was discussed. An announcement at the January 16th masses will be made about the collection of photos to be shared; drop off of the photos by participating parishioners would be from January 23rd through February 6th with the photos being returned approximately the week after the ceremony. Other memorabilia from the old church will be displayed also including the cornerstone.

Music- Rich Daddarrio reported on the choir’s participation in the televised mass celebrated by Archbishop Mansell during December. He praised the hard work of the choir for Advent masses.

Fun -Rich Daddarrio reported

The members of the Fun committee will meet at George’s Pizza at 6 pm this Sunday.
On February 6th a welcome to new parishioners will be held in the Gathering Space.
The second Friday of each month has been designated Family Game Night for parishioners over 17 starting on Feb. 11.
There is a ski trip to Mt. Snow, Vermont planned for March fifth if there is enough interest among parishioners to fill a bus. Estimated cost will be $60 per person, $70 if equipment needs to be rented.

Legion of Mary-Father Golas reported two groups presently meet; one has started the process to become a recognized Praesidium. One group meets in the morning and one in the evening. Both have started on charitable work the Legion is known to perform, such as visitations and calling to welcome new parishioners.

New Church -Father Golas said over two hundred people were at the Vigil Mass in the Gathering space, beyond those attending in the primary nave! The level of sound through the speakers in the Gathering Space was discussed; several Council members reported they were told the noise level of the worshippers at the Christmas Vigils defeated the speakers from clearly conveying all of the service.

Old Church Building-Father Golas reported that he met with Bob Jones of Jones Destruction. The application for demolition was made on November 17th. As part of the permit process, any objections filed after public notice of the permit application requires a mandatory 90 day delay for permit processing. One objection was filed, and the process will therefore continue at the end of February. All hazardous materials have been removed from the structure; all utilities except electricity are disconnected at this time.
-The cornerstone of the old church building will be removed and be displayed at the anniversary ceremony of the new Church.

Old Business

The Small Christian Community theme from November’s meeting was mentioned as a worthy part of all parish activities.
A discussion of the parish photo directory was held. A motion to authorize Carol Watt to act on the Council’s behalf in vendor selection and actual products offered by the vendors was made by Paul Robotham and seconded by Carole Charette. The motion was carried by voice vote. This will hopefully proceed soon.

New Business

There was a request for the use of the Gathering Space to hold a fund raiser for the Trust House in March or early April. Discussion included possible weekends to offer the space and which committees might be involved to supply volunteers. A motion to approve the event was made by Neil Lynch, seconded by Paul Robotham and carried by voice vote. The event would include music and storytelling.
Bob Bonato mentioned that Thank you notes on the Council’s behalf would be sent to the Respect Life, Decoration, Décor, Human Needs, and Creche Committees, the Women’s Guild (particularly for the new round tables) and Donna LeBlanc for the work done during the recent Christmas season.

Other Notes
Parishioners were asked to remember the family of Officer Peter Lavery, victims of the recent Tsunami in the Far East, Ed Welcome, and Paul Robotham who will be having surgery soon.

Father Golas led the Council in a closing prayer. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted, Joseph Fish, Secretary

Next meeting: Tuesday, March 1st.