MINUTES OF PASTORAL COUNCIL, APRIL 18, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

Those attending were: Amanda Venafro (President), John Rowe (Vice-President), Nancy Penaskovic (Secretary), Judy Odom, Sandy Halperin, Mike Collins, Ray Collins, Bob Sevchuk, Deacon Don Canonica & Fr. Jack Kane, C.M. Absent were Bonnie Sevchuk & Herbert Quintero.

1. PRAYER
Nancy Penaskovic lead the Council in Prayer based on Henri Nouwen’s thoughts for “voluntary displacement” and the Gospel of the day, John 10: 1 -10. We are asked to step “out of the ordinary”, the common, what we’re used to and reach out to others, the new, the unknowns of our community.

2. TWO IMPORTANT PROGRAMS OF THE PARISH

A. “Why Catholic?”

Deacon Don Canonica gave an update of how things were progressing. Amanda Venafro is in charge of publicity. Fr. Kane was asked to write a letter for the flyer that will be distributed. The weekends of 13/14 and 20/21 August have been chosen as Sign-up Sundays.

B. Long Range Apostolic Planning Program

John Rowe mentioned that a good number of questionnaires have come in and some are still coming in. John will try to enter the data into a statistical package program on the computer. As regards the “listening sessions” held after the weekend Masses, there was a small group on Saturday evening, 22 participants after the 9:00 am Mass and another small group after the 11:15 am Mass. Fr. Kane conducted the session in Spanish at the 5:00 pm liturgy.

In general, people commented that the worship/liturgical services are well accepted. There is a general concern for “youth programs”. Some requested more frequent bi-lingual celebrations. The ushers continue to count the participants at our Masses during the month of April. As of this meeting, the average is 60 people per Mass. The final count will be made on May 1st.

The next step will be to set up realistic goals as a result of the data and other information gathered. This will be presented at the Deanery level and then the Archdiocesan level.

3. Social Hall Addition

Bart Van-Nieuwenhuise will present a diagram to the parish and the members of the parish will be asked to make a finacnial commitment to the project. To obtain a loan from the Archdiocese, the parish must have a least half the needed amount in the bank as well as pledged.

Our Social Hall is a gathering place for all parishioners. Some donations have been received to purchase a large screen television and a DVD player. We have to look into the need for cable and the expense that this would involve.

4. Other Business

The Men’s Club will meet on the 25th of April to plan a “Fish Fry” for May 14th. Fr. Kane will check into the idea presented to St. Mary’s of starting a “Life Teen” Religious Ed Program for the youth of our parish suggested by Cathy Green, from the parish in Lannett.

5. Next Meeting

The next meeting for the Pastoral Council will be Monday, May 9th, at 7:00 pm