Parish Council Meeting Minutes
February 08, 2015
Members Present: Mary Ann McLane, JoAnn Hedrick, Donna Ramage, Mike Duffy, Joan Budd, Patty Zaza, Patricia Szwed, Bob Straub, Dolores Lepori , Joe McClory, Fr. Bill Graney, Jim Nolan, Mike Reis, Deacon John Falkowski, Rich Mayes, Selvam Mascarenhas, James Davidson, Maria Hunt for Cory Zolandz
Members Absent: Tom Leitch
Visitors: Dick Schwer,
Opening Prayer: JoAnn Hedrick’s reflection encouraged us to pause and give thanks to God for the beauty all around us in nature. “Let me sing of the Lord. How good our God has been to me!” (Ps 13:6)
Parish Buzz: 1) At evening masses and 8:15 Sunday the new music sheets are not being taken in and used. Gloria music new but words are familiar. It is the Peoples mass and their contributions bring spirit alive. 2) Large Screen TV has received positive comments about. Suggestions for use : You Tube videos- example Saint of the day, Human Trafficking video, Parish Council Elections. 3) Coffee-experimenting with new milder blend.
New Business: Youth Update: James Davidson reported that Winter Arts Festival was a success fundraiser that approximately half of the goal to support Young Neighbors in Action program was achieved. Next activity planned is the Souper Supper on Ash Wednesday, February 18
th. Confirmation retreat for Parish’s candidates is coming up. And Parish Youth Group will participate in the Carry the Cross Walk with Bishop Malooly on the Saturday before Palm Sunday
. Election Committee Report: Mary Ann McLane recruited Donna Ramage, Dick Schwer and Joe McClory to join her on the PC Election Committee. Dick agreed to be this year’s Election Committee Chairman. Nominations for the candidates for next year’s Council will be sought in April after Masses on 2
nd and 3
rd Sundays. Elections will be held in May on 1
st and 3
rd Sundays.
Finance Committee Update: Jim Nolan reported that both attendance and offertory collections were down for first half of fiscal year. There was discussion on
how to classify the repairs for the Parking lot. It was decided this should be classified as a capital expense and should not be considered as part of the fiscal operating budget. The repair to pay for the parking lot is the primary cause for $8000 deficit, between the budget versus what has been collected in revenue for first 7 months of year.
Pastor’s Comments: Fr Bill reported that input for the Family Synod which will take place later this year is being sought from Catholic parishes around the world. He and the staff will organize a discussion session to collect feedback on questions such as, “Does the Christian community effectively show solidarity and support for families? What is currently being done? What needs further development ay the parish and diocesan levels?” The discussion will be captured and forwarded to the diocese where it will be combined with discussions from other parishes and sent on to Synod.