Meeting Minutes
St. Isidore Parish Pastoral Council
November 9, 2000  

Members Attending: Rev. Richard Butler, Pastor, Deacon Charles Cornell, Marshall Cross, Paul Curley, Nancy Dome, Jackie Downing, Judy Killeen, Patricia Noone, Shirley Ormsby, John Slattery, Mike Statkus.

Members Absent: Donne Cutting, Mike Holt, Julie Orsatti, Margaret Passafiume,

Minutes: Minutes of October 12th accepted

Communication

John spoke of the potential of a digital Sony camera to provide an improvement to the bulletin. He also hopes to arrange for a graphic artist. Target is for the January Newsletter. Value of using the theme of the 40th. Promote greater awareness of the patron saint.

Charlie presented the story of the web site to date. Questions asked on who should have ownership (staff) and who might volunteer to work on it (teens). Need for constancy and steady focus. Problems faced in some parish sites are (a) failure to monitor and keep u and delete outdate pages etc., (b) losing focus as one or another particular phase of parish life begins to dominate and overwhelm the other phases.

It was agreed that Charlie had a mandate from the parish to continue forward.

Priority and goal for 2000-2001

The goal is to celebrate the 40th not simply as remembering the past but also and primarily empowering the future - to recognize the young families moving in and their need for bonding and growing with the parish.
Recognized that this should include a moment of worship and prayer and celebration. Also recognized that this should embrace our efforts of enhanced communication. In particular the discussion returned to the patron saint. We should tell the story of Isidore plowing the fields, living simple life style, husband of Maria (now also a canonized saint. Imagery of "bread of finest wheat", "plowing ahead", etc.
Submit ideas to John Slattery at slatts@nesn.com

Update from the Pastor Brief oral report.

Financial report sent out had been sent out September 28th. Offertory in October was up 18%. Too early yet to see if this will be sustained.
Packard Rd: A purchase and sales agreement has been signed and we hope to close on November 17th.

Renovation: Process is still slow. I spoke with the facilities department of the archdiocese today. We expect to move the furniture through within a few weeks (including the music sign) and the baptistery proposal should be ready in a day or two.

Stewardship is working on having a statement to the parish on stewardship of time and talent soon.

New Business

A number of brief questions and thoughts were raised. Need to let parents know of the multipurpose room - but not in a manner that suggests we don't enjoy the presence of children in the assembly.

Questions about problems with the audio in church.

Value of letting people know in advance of schedules of baptism at Sunday liturgy.

Review of the meeting

"great dialogue" "good humor" "subject was nonproblematical and thus enjoyable" "upbeat: "ditto"

Next meetings:

Dec 14 2000, Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 8, *, May 10, Jun 14, 2001
*Thu. Apr. 12 is Holy Thursday, thus no meeting. Determine in February whether to reschedule or cancel.
Archdiocesan assembly of parish pastoral councils and parish finance councils Mar 10, 2001