St. Isidore Parish Pastoral Council

March 11, 2004  

Members Attending: Rev. Richard Butler, Rosa Chow, Deacon Charles Cornell, Ann DeCristofaro, Nancy Dome, Kathleen King, Sharon McCann, Susan Peabody, John Sangermano

Members Absent: Glenn Bunnell, John Colonna-Romano, Mark Douglas, Rosario Rizzo, Domenique Sexton

Evening Prayer

Minutes:         Minutes of February 12^th accepted.

Update from the pastor

Attached.  (Census, Archdiocesan reconfiguration, Marriage Affirmation and Protection Amendment, Organization and Leadership Training Center, Irish Night, CleanUp Day, Generations of Faith. Newsletter, Lenten Supper, Finances, First Eucharist Retreat)

Reconfiguration of parishes

            Extensive conversation flowed from the note on reconfiguration in the update.  Sharon and Anne added their perspectives on the process.  Frustration voiced about the process even as the overall need was recognized.  At the level of the cluster it was recommended that there be no change in parish alignment given the growth anticipated, the distance geographically and the lack of any adequate “receiving parish” if any existing parish were to be suppressed.

Election of new members to the PPC

            Election scheduled for May 23^rd.  Mike Statkus offered the materials of the last election to facilitate this election.  (Charlie has them on electronic file.)  We hope to have the first notice in the bulletin by the 21^st.  Aiming to have a slate by Easter.

Generations of Faith

            Nancy reviewed the process to date.  Our local committee will be meeting next on March 25^th.  General enthusiasm for the concept.  Some anxiety on the part of those who have become accustomed to religious education simply as a ‘drop-off’ with little family ownership of the process.

New Business

            Microphones have been fixed.

            The question of youth ministry continues to challenge us.  We cannot get to the stage of professional staffing until we have well focussed adult committee.  (PPC discussion of a year ago with the Archdiocesan Office and with St. Bridget Youth Ministry recalled.)  The hope of a joint effort with St Francis in Bolton went on hold with the transition of pastorates there.

Next meetings

No meeting April 8^th (Holy Thursday)

There will be meetings May 13 and June 10.