ST. MARY STAR OF THE SEA, PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting, March 7, 2006
Attendance: Bob Bonato, Jim Doyle, Bob Archer, Rick Daddario, Maury Goldberg, Bob Slabinski, Nelson Waters, Barbara Wolf, Judy Welcome and Janice Rimiller. Jon Leblanc was also in attendance as Liturgy Chairman.
Absent Pat and Paul Robotham, Joe Fish
Building and Grounds Committee- Bob Archer
New plantings will be installed in the cemetery. Quotations are being provided to the Finance Committee regarding repairs on the Hart House and Rectory.
In the spring an announcement will be made in the bulletin regarding spring cleanup around the rectory and Hart House. Volunteers will be requested to offer continuing aid in the beautification of the Hart House and Rectory.
Bob Bonato asked about the request to put lighting in the parking lot; it was noted that it would be costly.
Judy Welcome questioned the appearance of the new graves in the cemetery in regards to reseeding at the gravesites.
Music Committee- Rick Daddario
The choir has been invited to sing at the televised Easter Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Mansell.
Rick is working with a consultant getting a quote to alleviate the sound problem in the Gathering Space.
Fun Committee- Rick Daddario
Approximately 70 people attended the Welcoming Reception in February. Rick Daddario and Bob Bonato felt it was successful welcoming for the new families in the parish who attended. Ministries were represented.
The ski trip was successful. The Easter Egg Hunt is being planned for April first, the Saturday before Palm Sunday.
May 6 is a Spring Dance with a DJ; tickets free to parishioners on a first come basis.
Game night continues to be a success.
CD sales netted over $4700 to date, 500 additional CDs have been ordered.
Human Needs Committee
Meeting scheduled for Sunday evening March twelfth.
Liturgy Committee- Jon LeBlanc
Plans for the Holy Week services have been made.
Holy Thursday- Knights of Columbus will have their Honor Guard present.
Palm Sunday will have distribution of palms starting with a procession at the vigil mass on Sat.
3 candidates for R.C.I.A. will be present at Holy Saturday Mass.
Easter Masses will be on a normal schedule with planning for extra seating.
Appreciation for all the volunteers in the ministries was discussed.
Barbara Wolf suggested we honor our local service personnel by name perhaps one Mass a month. A note in the bulletin could request names to be honored.
Small Church Community
Six members met with Brother Bob to help develop a core team. Steven Ferraro was elected chairperson and Ginny Cooper assistant chairperson. One of the concerns of the group is to get more people in the group to get a more diverse representation- mainly people in their thirties to represent that segment of the parish.
Legion of Mary
April 2- the Legion will host a meeting with other Legion of Mary chapters at our church. It will consist of a renewal of their allegiance to Mary with a prayer service followed by a reception. Members of the Legion will be recruiting new members this Sunday at the Coffee after mass.
Finance Committee
The letter about annual finances and the budget from Fr. Golas to the parishioners was reiterated by Bob.
L.E.A.P.- Karen Herbert
Eighth graders were invited before they enter high school. Some college students were interested in forming their own group. On March 31, a movie and discussion led by Father Meade will be held.
Confirmation will be celebrated on May 21. Students are painting at the Hart House as a service project.
Religious Educ. -Mary Lou Meigs
Information on the "Child Lures" program which will be offered to parish students in 5th, 6th and 7th grades on March 25th was presented.
87 students are studying to receive their First Communion on April 29th. This is the largest class to date in the parish.
Social Justice -Pat Messina
Catholic Concerns Day will be April fifth; details will be printed in the parish bulletin. Included is a mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph at 9:30 followed by going to the Legislative Office Building. A Social Justice meeting sponsored by the Office of Urban Affairs will be held in Hartford on March 30 and interested persons are being sought.
Respect Life- Bob McGinnis
A baby shower was successfully held for women associated with St. Gerard's Center for Life.
Landscape Committee -Jon LeBlanc
The committee will be scheduling its spring meetings shortly according to Jon.
By Laws -Jim Doyle
Jim Doyle, Bob Slabinski , Nelson Waters and Maury Goldberg met to review the present By-laws. There will be a special meeting of the Parish Council to discuss their suggestions. The meeting will be held on March 18 at 9 AM.
Committee for Father Golas 25th Anniversary of his Ordination
There has been one meeting already held and the second meeting is set for April fourth. The mass and reception will be on Sunday, September twenty-fourth.
New Business
-A Nominating Committee for coordinating the nominations and election of 4 new Council members was selected: Maury Goldberg, Nelson Waters, Judy Welcome and Barbara Wolf. Dates may be adjusted to accommodate the Easter services.
-The CD sale profits will be used to purchase votive candle racks to be placed in front of the Statue of Mary.
-Thank yous and well wishes will be sent to various persons for their contributions to parish life.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 .
Father Meade closed the meeting with a prayer.
Next meeting Tues. May 2, 7:00 at the Gathering Space