MEETING MINUTES

St. Isidore Parish Pastoral Council

January 10, 2002  

NB Since the meeting a decision was made to advance next month’s meeting to Thursday February 7^th in order that St. Valentine may be observed by all with family on the 14^th.

Members Attending: Rev. Richard Butler, Pastor, John Colonna-Romano, Deacon Charles Cornell, , Marshall Cross, Paul Curley,  Nancy Dome, Mike Holt, Shirley Ormsby, Patricia Noone, Margaret Passafiume, John Slattery

Members Absent:, Donne Cutting, Jackie Downing Richard Martin, Sharon McCann, Rosario Rizzo, Domenique Sexton

Members of the Stewardship Committee present: Kelly Clifford, Jon French, Carol Mahoney, Jack Mileski,

Visitors from the Hudson St. Vincent DePaul Society present: Hugo Guidotti, Barbara DiFonzo, Rita Lawrence

St. Vincent dePaul

The delegation gave an excellent presentation, beginning with prayer, noting a variety of statistical data, identifying personal anecdotes, speaking strongly on the support from neighboring conferences of the region, sharing extensively from the Archdiocesan Newsletter.  They responded to all the questions posed by Stewardship and PPC members.  It was a very positive and encouraging discussion.  They assured us they were ready to help if we were ready to go forward.

After a brief break the St. Vincent dePaul and the Stewardship members left the Council continued with its agenda.

Prayer

Due to time constraints the Council had a brief prayer rather than the full evening prayer, remembering in particular Rosemary Martin who was buried from the parish on Tuesday, and also praying for the Archdiocese in the light of the pedophilia crisis being faced.

Minutes:            Minutes of December 13^th accepted.

Update from the pastor

            Fr. Butler noted the four new members of the Finance Council.

            Thanks were given for the excellent Christmas-Epiphany activity..

            Coffee hour planned for 11:00 a.m. Sat. Jan. 19 as onset for joint service project by First Parish, Union Church and St. Isidore.

            The Lenten mission is upcoming with a new format; rather than several successive days in one week it will be done on Tuesdays of successive weeks: Mar 5 – 12 – 19.  Focus on spirituality: in a wider world of interfaith activity, in the modern family of today, and in the marketplace.

            Social committee has planned Ice Cream social for Feb 1^st, Lenten Supper for Feb 22^nd, Irish Night Mar. 16^th.

            PPC spring election is upcoming.  Mike Holt has agreed to speak with the coordinators of last year’s election and to present a plan by the next meeting.

            Archdiocesan convocation of councils will be on March 9^th -  Plan to attend!

            Cardinal Law’s press conference of Jan 9^th, the Globe Spotlight articles of Jan 6^th and 7^th, and the upcoming trial of John Geoghan were reflected upon. As this process unfolds we will discern if a formal session for open discussion would help.  Meanwhile we encourage all to speak with staff members of their concerns.  Fr. Butler will address the issues briefly in a letter to be inserted in this Sunday’s bulletin.

St. Vincent de Paul

            The Council spoke well of the presentation.  We will await the Stewardship’s reaction.  (They meet next Thursday.)  John will report at our next meeting.

Youth Ministry

            Sharon McCann           contacted John and Sandy Pepi of St. Bridget’s in Maynard  John Slattery spoke with the Archdiocesan Youth Office, including Jim Flanagan.  It was strongly encouraged that we proceed and have them visit us.  After some discussion on how quickly to move it was decided to invite them to our next meeting. Copies of the materials from the Youth Office will be distributed along with these notes.

Review of the meeting

            “very informative”  “impressed with the presentation of the people from Hudson.”

Next meetings:

Feb 14, Feb. 7, Mar14, Apr 11, May 9 2002

Archdiocesan assembly of parish pastoral councils and parish finance councils  Mar 9, 2002