MEETING MINUTES

St. Isidore Parish Pastoral Council

June 13, 2002  

Members Attending: Rev. Richard Butler, Pastor, John Colonna-Romano, Deacon Charles Cornell, Paul Curley, Ann DeChristofaro, Nancy Dome, Donne Cutting, Kathleen King, Sharon McCann, Will O’Brien, Shirley Ormsby, Margaret Passafiume, Rosario Rizzo, John Sangermano, John Slattery, guests John Pepi and Jim Flanagan

Members Absent: Marshall Cross, Jackie Downing, Mike Holt, Patricia Noone, Domenique Sexton,

Evening Prayer         

Minutes:            Minutes of May 9^th  accepted.

Introductions

New members were welcomed and those completing their term on the council were thanked.  In a special way Mike Holt was thanked for the process of the election.

Youth Ministry

After a brief recap of the past months discussion on youth ministry (for the sake of the new members), Jim Flanagan was introduced.  He is on the archdiocesan staff.  He spoke with great enthusiasm of the variety of activity going on throughout the archdiocese including the C.L.I., the Gospel Road weeks, the Basic Skills training program, the High School convention, the middle school rally.  He appreciated our slow pace and acknowledged the need to assess needs of youth and of parents as we form a team and set goals and objectives. He recommended the U. S. Bishops’ “Renewing the Vision”, the courses offered by A.I.M., and the Worcester Diocese’ Certificate of Youth Ministry (an eight week-end session).

Deacon John Pepi of Maynard spoke of the program they follow  which is rooted in a volunteer system.  They have 120 in junior youth group.  Their accent is SSS (service, social, spiritual).  Important in working with youth to remember FFFF (faith, fun, friends, food).  Communication is important.  They use a September letter to parents, visits to religious education classes, bulletin notices, fliers, personal contact and electronic mail.

All agreed that both gave us encouragement to move ahead next year.

Update from the pastor

            Fr. Butler – very briefly – noted a number of items including the voice of the faithful, adult education in Concord in July and here in August, Promise for Tomorrow (our participation in archdiocesan endowment fund scheduled for next fall), Parish Visitation (a process of self evaluation to begin next spring and climax with a visit from the bishop at the end of December), the newly formed St. Vincent de Paul Society, and a review of the very tight financial picture.)

PPC Overview

As John Slattery comes to the end of his term of office, he reviewed some highlights of the past three years:  the church renovation, reconfiguration of the rectory, new social committee, the garden, the 40^th anniversary, the pictoral directory, the new St. Vincent dePaul, the response to 9/11, the MLK program and follow through of ESL, the Lenten missions, Theology for a Summer’s Eve, RCIA, etc.  Thanks were extended again to John and the others who are leaving.

Looking ahead

            The late hour prevented much detailed looking ahead.  We will continue as is through the summer and in the fall elect a vice-chair, review the process of secretary etc., look at calendar questions, setting priorities for 2002-2003.

            With all members having internet access we will attempt sending minutes and notes by internet.  We have been meeting on the second Thursday of the month.  We will check the view of members later this summer as to their preference for next year but the first meeting will be set for 7:30 Thursday September 12.  An outline of the process of evening prayer will be distributed.

Next meeting:                                    September 12 2002