ST. MARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
February 3, 2015
1) OPENING PRAYER – REFLECTIONS
2) ROLL CALL: (12 Absent)
J Bednarek, S. Coelho, G. Griskewicz, K. Hunter, J. Loughran, T. O’Leary. N. Stannard,
K. Rojas, Rucci, G. Staves. Stratton (class), P. Taylor
3) SECRETARY’S REPORT: Joyce Catania
a) Minutes of Previous Meeting: Accepted: 1st P. Van Bramer/2nd K. Dwelley
b) Correspondence:
4) TREASURER’S REPORT
BALANCE at last Report
$3,078.76
No Activity this month
Balance In Account
$3,078.76
5) COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a) COMMUNICATIONS: P. Taylor
No Report
b) CYO: P. Van Bramer
We are in the process of learning how to put on a pancake breakfast fundraiser.
We need a lot more practice on using the St. Robert’s kitchen and cooking for a
group. We have met and are deciding on when and where. Stayed tuned….
c) EDUCATION: M. Stratton
Grade 2 students will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation on March 11
and 12. The next parent meeting and Mass is scheduled for Sunday, February 8.
Grade 9 students have missed three weeks of classes because of snow and holiday
closings. The test which was scheduled for April 8 will be postponed to a later
date so teachers and students can catch up on lessons for the test.
Hopefully, we will have a full week of classes next week before February vacation.
d) EVANGELIZATION – Nancy Stimac for G. Staves
A mailing to everyone in both Parishes was sent out today, inviting all to attend
our Lenten programs:
Four Food and Faith evenings will be held at St. Robert’s Parish Center. A
supper catered by Maneely’s will precede each scheduled talk:
1. Wed. 2/25/15. The presenter will be Sister Elaine Betoncourt, CSJ from Holy Family
Retreat Center in West Hartford. The topic will be “As We Pray, We Live”
2. Wed. 3/4/15. The presenter will be Bill Walsh, assistant retreat director, from the Holy
Family Retreat Center. The topic will be “Ten Commandments: Laws of the Heart”.
3. Wed. 3/18/15. The presenter will be Ben Winiarski. The topic will be “How May I Help
You?-Living in the Spirit of Generosity.”
4. Wed. 3/25/15. The presenter will be Amy Ekeh, an instructor at the Archdiocese Biblical
School. The topic will be “An Evening with Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel”
The Lenten Mission this year will held at St. Mary’s Church, on March 8-11. The
presenter will be Deacon Art Miller, an author and radio host from the Archdiocese of
Hartford where he is the Director of the Office of Black Catholic Ministries. His topic
will be “Struck by God’s Love.” After retiring a few years ago from the Catholic
University of America, he was appointed Pastor of St. Mary’s in Simsbury.
An evening program on Ignatian Spirituality is in the planning stages for May and as
well, many other programs are under study and will be announced as soon as the details
are finalized.
Ongoing programs include:
The CD display cases at both churches. The focus is on children, teens, and adult topics.
There are books located at the CD display cases at both churches. These cover all age
groups.
Centering Prayer continues to be held every Sunday from 5:30 – 6:30 PM at St. Mary
Parish Center and on Wednesday’s from 1:00 – 2:00 PM at St Robert parish Center. (The
Wednesday prayer group has an added Lectio Divina Bible meditation focus) Details in
the bulletin
Bible Study continues to be held every Sunday from 7:00 – 8:00 PM at St. Mary Parish
Center. 31 signed up and bought the Stephen Binz commentary to go along with the
study of the Book of Revelation. Details in the bulletin
Please promote these programs within your committees.
e) GREETING MINISTRY - F. Borchetta
“Come here and listen, O nations of the earth, let the world and everything in
it bear My words.” (Isaiah, 34:1).
Why might it be difficult for some of us to see this world in general that has
become very anti-God, and rejects His love and helpful admonitions? What does
this have to do with being a greeter? It is possible if the greeting is dealt with in
heart and soul, the person or persons entering the Lord’s house might be primed to
listen and partake of the actions that occur during the Eucharistic celebration.
f)
HEALTH MINISTRY: T. Farr/S. Quagliaroli
No Report
g) LITURGY: Fr. O’Grady
Lent will be here before you know it. Little black books are here. We will have
noon Masses, Stations of the Cross on Fridays: Living Stations will be on Good
Friday. If your committee would like to do one of the Fridays, please call me to
sign up. Small Christian Communities signed up tonight.
h) PRO-LIFE: Hal Larson for Jim Loughran
The Washington trip was a success. We made $530 from the bake sale. Less than
what we hoped for, but we were happy to receive the money. Traffic was
congested at the sight of the march. There was something else going on, and there
was the presence of police, fire trucks in the area. Fr, Delvecci talked about
Catholics. Everyone got back on time.
They are still picketing in Enfield for Planned Parenthood Monday at 9:00 on
Hazard Ave.
i) REFLECTIONS: K. Dwelley
Our January meeting was another intellectually stimulating meeting. We had
lively discussion about our relationship with God. Our next meeting is February
21.
Couples retreat is next week, 2/13 to 2/15.
K of C
We have cancelled three of the last five bingo nights due to snow. Our Soup
Knight on 1/23 raised almost $500 for the Windsor Locks Food Pantry. We are
hoping to have a Fish Knight during Lent and Golf Tournament in May.
j) SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES: M. Danyluk
No Report
k) SOCIAL ACTIVITIES – E. Leary
St. Patrick’s dinner is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, at St, Robert’s hall. We
will have a corned beef dinner. No DJ, but we will have a raffle and door prizes.
Anyone wishing to donate items for the raffle, let me know.
l) SOCIAL JUSTICE: - Emily Leary for G. Grisewicz/K. Rojas
Our shelter dinner was called off due to snow. Theresa Borchetta suggested we
order pizzas for the men. Twenty-five party size pizzas were delivered from
Hartford Pizza. The cost was $600. Parish Council agreed to give $100 toward
the cost.
Loaves & Fishes needs members for their Board. If anyone is interested in
serving, please see Emily.
6) PARISH CENTER REPORT:
No Report
7) OLD BUSINESS:
None
8) PARISH INPUT:
Chris Becker commented that the 9:30 Mass was very noisy before Mass.
9) NEW BUSINESS:
None
10) PASTOR’S COMMENTS:
The windows were started today on the third floor. Finances are good. We are in the black
for both parishes. Expenses are less than income. People have been very generous. Pat
Broderick has been home with a terminal illness. As always, gifts of food would be
welcome. They live on Suffield Street at the corner of Hickory.
Happy Birthday to Frank on his 80th birthday coming up.
Booking of the parish hall has been good. The rectory is being used by the school system.
11) NEXT MEETING DATE: March 3, 2015
12)
NEXT OPENING PRAYER: SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES
13)
ADJOURN: Accepted: 1st K. Dwelley/2nd J. Klocker
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Catania
Secretary