MEETING MINUTES

St. Isidore Parish Pastoral Council

December 12, 2002  

Members Attending: Rev. Richard Butler, Ann DeChristofaro, Deacon Charles Cornell, Nancy Dome, Kathleen King, Sharon McCann, Shirley Ormsby, Rosario Rizzo,

Members Absent: John Colonna-Romano, Pastor, Will O’Brien, John Sangermano, Domenique Sexton,

Evening Prayer

Minutes:            Minutes of November 14^th accepted.

Update from the pastor

Fiscal report noted that we are running below budget but still surviving.  After the turn of the year the finance council will look to the figures again.  Thanks were expressed for the successful Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.

Discussion of small faith communities

            Council members were enthused with the concept of small faith communities as expressed by Ken Meltz on December 1^st.  Our plan is to have an introductory program Sunday evening March 16^th with folks from St. Malachy’s guiding us.  The program will be from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.  (Noted that parents of young children are freer to come after the children have been fed.)  At the Sunday liturgies that weekend there will be a testimony type statement from a parishioner of St. Malachy.  In the three preceding weeks their will be an insert each week (a) explaining the concept, (b) detailing the process, and (c) offering examples of how it works.  Groups gathering that night will be encouraged to commit to three small group sessions:

            Around the first of April  (Lenten reflection)

            Around the first of May  (Easter reflection)

            Around the first of June  (Pentecost reflection)

            Staff will look to other details, training facilitators, monitoring the process, encouraging a follow-through.

Archdiocesan scandal

                This discussion was tempered by awareness of the presence of the Cardinal in Rome and the potential of his resignation.  It was noted that the resignation was not the solution in itself and we should consider further listening sessions.  The Sexual Abuse Training programs continue and we will be implementing the parish level program in the spring.

New Business

Still on our agenda are the “Family Mass” question and the Youth Ministry.

Thanks

Shirley Ormsby will be leaving before our next meeting.  She was thanked specifically for her many years with the Pastoral Council from its initial days.  A parish reception for her will be held on Sunday December 29^th after the 10:30 a.m. liturgy.

Next meetings

Jan. 9, Feb. 13, Mar. 13, Apr. 10, May 8, Jun. 12, 2003

Archdiocesan Assembly of councils (tentative) Saturday March 8, 2003