MEETING MINUTES

St. Isidore Parish Pastoral Council

April 11, 2002  

Members Attending: Rev. Richard Butler, Pastor, John Colonna-Romano, Deacon Charles Cornell, , Marshall Cross, Paul Curley, Donne Cutting, Mike Holt, Sharon McCann, Patricia Noone, Margaret Passafiume, Rosario Rizzo, John Slattery

Members Absent: Nancy Dome, Jackie Downing, Shirley Ormsby, Domenique Sexton,

Evening Prayer        

Minutes:            Minutes of March 14^th accepted.                   

Update from the pastor

            Update was brief, beginning with a review of the Mission (poorly attended but well done) and the Triduum which was highly praised by council members.

            English-as-a-Second-Language project is now going ahead.  Enough have signed up that the state is willing to come here to St. Isidore and do a full training program on site May 18.  Additional volunteers are welcome.         

PPC Election

            Few have responded.  Some noted hesitancy due to the archdiocesan troubles.  In point of fact, however, it seems that most council members have not taken the step to invite others.

            Thus the election date of May 18^th will be delayed, pending more responses.  This will probably result in the present membership continuing to the fall.  All encouraged to specifically ask a few to volunteer!

Youth Ministry

            John Slattery and Sharon McCann discussed at length their various conversations and research.  Jim Flanagan is willing to come from the Youth Office.  Question of budget was raised; felt that it would be better first to discuss focus and need here at St. Isidore.  We are still open to collaborative effort with St. Francis, Bolton.  Extensive report of the process at St. Elizabeth; five or six months and still not completed.  Their focus is older older high school youth.  Adult committee and two teen-age committees have accomplished a few activities but as yet there is no director.  It seems our focus is more to the middle school youth at this stage of the discussion.  We will invite Jim Flanagan – but not to the May meeting which will be briefer due to the Ascension Thursday schedule.

Next Step in Responding to the Open Forum of March 10

            Council members spoke of the value of the Open Forum, the rage at the media presentation of the Paul Shanley case, the question of whether the Cardinal would be resigning soon, the various views as to when the scandal will quiet down.  Little consensus on the steps to take.  Fr. Butler is eager to take some step within a month or so to assure those interested that we are still listening.

Next meetings:

May 9, June 13 2002