MEETING MINUTES

St. Isidore Parish Pastoral Council

May 8, 2003  

Members Attending: Rev. Richard Butler, Deacon Charles Cornell, Ann DeChristofaro Nancy Dome, Kathleen King, John Sangermano,

Members Absent: John Colonna-Romano, Sharon McCann, Rosario Rizzo, Domenique Sexton,

Evening Prayer

Minutes:            Minutes of April 10^th accepted.

Update from the pastor

            In discussing the program of the Office of Child Advocacy, it was noted that additional P.R. in the bulletin would help.

            In addition to the items listed, also noted:

            Plans evolving for a ministry of welcome to new parishioners with a home visit that would embrace them in welcome and share with them expectations of participation (ministry, liturgy, catechetics, financial).  (Cautioned not to be too aggressive in this.)

            Plans are underway for planning a fall festival/fair.

            Religious Education program schedule for next year will be clarified once it is clear where the public schools are at vis-à-vis schedule and transportation.

Council Elections

            We now have a few who have agreed to be on the slate, a couple who are debating the question, a couple who said no but maybe next year and a couple who said simply no.  If we can gain a few more in the next few days we will be able to run the election as planned.

Family Mass

            It seems clear that the goal is to have the children engaged and at ease in the worship environment.  There is still division of opinion as to how to move on this.  Some would have an occasional total focus on the children (homily, gathered about the table, etc.) with adults observing the participation of the children.  Others would opt for a middle ground.  The experience at St. Isidore in the late eighties was recounted; results were mixed.  Fr. Butler agreed to do an occasional test programming in the fall before getting into any set plan.

New Business

            Questions arose about council members who were called of late to get names of businesses who might advertise.  Fr. Butler explained that the new company providing the bulletin were given adequate lists from the staff.

Review of meeting

            “We all got to talk about the topic; it has been on the agenda too long.  Hope we can move to other agenda soon.”

Next meeting

Jun. 19, 2003