• Bob Bonato read the gospel from the Mass for May eighth. A sharing on a focus question followed.
• In attendance were the council members Robert Bonato President, James Doyle Vice President, Neil Lynch, Historian, Joseph Fish Secretary, Ed O'Reilly, Thomas Carrier, Rick Daddario, Pat and Paul Robotham, Judy Welcome and Maury Goldberg, Trustees Ed Cruess, Sr. and Clare Archer.
• March meeting notes were reviewed. Neil Lynch moved the minutes be approved with adjustments to the Hail and Farewell report; the council passed the motion with a voice vote.

Committee Reports:

• A report from Mary Lou Meigs was read by Bob Bonato. The spring recruitment for catechists will be announced for May twenty first and twenty second. Also noted in the report were the First Communion Ceremony details, which were all positive. Class scheduling for the fall is being reconsidered, especially in light of a possible mass schedule change.

• Rich Daddario reported that Choir for the spring season will end performances in three weeks. A new Cantor program will feature singing starting five minutes before Mass on Sundays.

• The food drive was held in April. There may be a request to the parish to extend help in the construction of an all-inclusive playground at the West District School. The next Prayer Shawl meeting will be at the Hart House on May thirteenth.

• Ed O’Reilly reported that the website now has a calendar of parish events. The email addresses for the rectory and office have been updated.

• Rich Daddarrio reported that the parish ski trip was a success with the bus full of attendees. The parish softball evenings will have six teams, four adult and two for children. The games will be on Sunday evenings through the end of June, then on Tuesday evenings for the children and Sunday for the adults. There is a Fun Night scheduled for each second Friday until October. There will also be an adult, daytime bus trip to Newport, R.I on Sept. 10.

• Jim Doyle reported the Knights of Columbus pavilion is reserved for the parish picnic at noon until five pm on June twelfth. The Knights will be providing meats to cook and beverages. Parishioners should bring a salad or covered side dish.

• A report from Marilyn Slabinski stated the last meeting for the season will be in May where they will install new officers and award scholarships. The meeting is to be preceded by mass.

• A fund raising project for May will consist of distributing baby bottles to be filled with loose change and returned during the first weekend of June before each Mass.

• Three hundred parish families have signed up to participate in the photo directory, portraits taken beginning on May 24, per a report from Carol Watt.

• A report from Bob Archer said the cemetery plantings were to be completed in May.
Rich Daddario mentioned that technical requirements for additional speakers for the church were being reviewed by Peter Solick, from Sound Engineers, located in West Hartford.

• A report from Father Golas noted the demolition permits were in place, the time for Jones Destruction to begin work had not been finalized.

• Ascension Thursday Masses will be at 7:45 am and 5:30 pm. There will be a Candlelight Rosary May 18th at seven pm.

• A change to the fall mass schedule proposed is still being researched.
• The Trust House Fundraiser run by Sharon Lynch on April 3 was a success.
• Tom Carrier reported the ballots for the Parish Council election were ready, having taken in nominations, and the committee having made calls to determine interest in running.
• A report from Father Golas mentioned further contact from Brother Bob Moriarty following up on the concept of introducing Small Christian Communities in the Parish.

• Maury Goldberg reported the April tenth Exemplification ceremony honoring Father Golas’ Fourth Degree in the Knights of Columbus had 300 attendees. Father was praised for his consistent, conscientious labors
• The Ecumenical Luncheon for May 2005 will be held at St Mary’s; forty attendees are expected.
• A list of Thank You notes sent to non-council, committee chairpersons on behalf of the Parish Council was read by Bob Bonato.
• Neil Lynch suggested the possibility of the Parish acquiring a defibrillator for use in emergencies at Parish functions; there may be further discussion on the possibility at a later meeting.
• Neil Lynch also suggested that the Council consider the inclusion of a non-voting, teenage representative to the Council. Bob will followup the idea with Father Golas, Jane Derasadourian and Karen Herbert.
• A reminder was made that the parish will be making out a year-long calendar for committee persons to plan ahead.
• Bob reminded Council members there will be a 6 pm reception for the new council members. The election for next year’s officers will be at the June seventh meeting which will begin immediately following the reception.
• Please remember Bill Lapointe, Father Golas and Mrs. Schiavo in our prayers.
• Bob Bonato led the Council in a closing prayer and adjourned at 9:15 pm.
• Next Meeting 7 pm on June seventh, immediately preceded by a reception at the Rectory for new and retiring Council members.