MEETING MINUTES
St. Isidore Parish Pastoral Council
April 10, 2003

Members Attending: Rev. Richard Butler, Deacon Charles Cornell, Nancy Dome, Kathleen King, Sharon McCann, Rosario Rizzo, John Sangermano

Members Absent: John Colonna-Romano, Ann DeChristofaro, Domenique Sexton,

Evening Prayer

Minutes: Fr. Butler apologized for not distributing the March minutes.

Update from the pastor
Response to the financial appeal was good; too early to measure the long range response. PFC will be meeting later this month to explore the revenue question in more detail. (PPC suggested we promote potential for bequests; also that we have a card available for memorials etc.)
A number of quick notes on a variety of activity; update attached to these minutes. Special note on the success of the First Eucharist Retreat.

Council Elections
The word is getting out but the replies aren’t coming back. It would help if each PPC member could tap 3 or 4 people on the shoulder and invite them. All seemed to agree to this.

Discussion of small faith communities
Attendance at the March 16th session was slim but for those who came the evening was profitable. Several groups are forming and will be meeting over the coming weeks.

Family Mass
Brainstorming revealed much interest, common concerns, mixed signals, and need for continued discussion. As to the purpose, it was agreed that it would be good for young children to feel at ease in the worship environment. Mixed signals were raised at the suggestion that the measure be “what the kids get out of the Mass.” There were mixed signals on the target audience though most seemed to say OK to “K to 5”. Strong reservations were given against the “St. Elizabeth model”; presumably a dismissal process with a children’s liturgy of the word. On the other hand a strong support for the dismissal process was given. It was agreed that children not be asked to ministries that are not age appropriate; e.g. young child attempting to be a lector. Value, yet difficulty, seen in music ministry; needs more discussion. Role of the homily discussed but not resolved. Suggestion of family ministry; e.g. one parent who might be a lector having children stand by him/her. Or a greeter role done by a whole family. It was noted that our present discipline of lectors and eucharistic ministers sitting isolated from families was problematic. (Fr. Butler noted that our present discipline on this is not cast in stone.) All agreed that it was good to have aired such a variety of views. Topic now needs to get better focus.

Review of meeting
“We all got to speak.” “Good brainstorming” “Membership is too small.”

Next meetings
May 8, Jun. 12, 2003