St. Isidore Parish Pastoral Council

December 8, 2005

Members Attending: Glenn Bunnell, Rev. Richard Butler, Deacon Charles Cornell, Laureen DiBenedetto, Nancy Dome, Jeff LaPlante, Ed Reverdy, Kim Tocci

Members Absent: Rose Colosi, Mark Douglas, Tim Garvin, Carole Makary, Susan Peabody,

Evening Prayer

Minutes: Meeting of November 10^th reviewed.

Update from the pastor

New Members Welcomed

Census via relational groups

At the last meeting the question of a parish census was lifted to high priority.

Census: Who are we? Parish listing of 600 + families seriously outdated. An effort to discern who is who after all the past coming and going of recent years. Not simply getting names but developing a technique of relational contact with the average parishioner. Perhaps small group gatherings (meetings, meals?) (in homes or at church?) through which all can feel a part of who we are and through which we can know who is still with us etc. This could include special outreach to those who got lost between the cracks in these past two years. This could include a new picture directory.

Glenn Bunnell presented a number of ideas:

Need to clean up our own lists before we chart out any masterplan of outreeach via affinity groups

Affinity groups can be by geography; but also by age, life stage, cultural interests, etc.

Another possibility is to think in terms of town meeting type events or focus sessions or listening opportunities (more effective than a paper survey).

We might want to delve deeper into the parish mission statement written a few years ago or update it or narrow it.

Also important for us to share with the parish and the Stow community what we contribute to the fabric of the town.

Brainstorming revealed consensus in this direction and raised a few additional points. Breakfast groups have gathered working men and women in some communities but perhaps people here leave for work too early for that. Is the possibility of home Masses (e.g. in Lent) realistic. How open are people to entertaining and receiving visitors?

We will take the annual census in January just to keep ahead of the statistical data but we will wait a few months to move ahead with this in depth approach of relational affinity groups. (Each member is asked to draw out an approach to this for the next meeting.

Micah continues to be of interest and we will follow through after the first of the year. (The Metrowest Interfaith Congregations Acting for Hope)

Next meeting January 12^th