Update from the pastor to parish pastoral council 9 January 2003

Archdiocese

                Since our last meeting, the Pope accepted the resignation of Cardinal Law and appointed Bishop Richard Lennon as Apostolic Administrator.  The transition seems to be moving well.  Prayers for all are appreciated.

Shirley Ormsby

                Our thanks to those who assisted in the brunch on December 29^th honoring Shirley Ormsby.  As she requested, we kept it low key but the appreciation of parishioners made it indeed special for her.

                At this point we do not plan to address the opening of the pastoral associate position immediately.  We will be watching the transition of coming weeks and after a few months reassess needs and potential of staffing.  Present staff and individual parishioners are filling in well – especially in those areas to which Shirley had special responsibility and interest, e.g. Baptismal program, RCIA, Pro-Life, social outreach, Sunday sacristan activity, etc.

Christmas

                Our thanks to all for the generous response to all for the many facets of our Christmas celebration.

Finances

                The offertory continues to be below budget.  Response to the St. Vincent dePaul needs has been good.  Response to the new Parish Reserve Fund is encouraging.

Pro-Life

                The annual baby shower is being conducted this month under the direction of Andrea Rizzo and Christine Don.

Lenten Renewal

                We have begun to set in place the Lenten Renewal with March 15-16 statements at Mass, evening plenary session, followed by small groups around April 1 (Lent), May 1 (Easter), and June 1 (Pentecost).  St. Malachy’s has agreed to assist us.

Office of Child Advocacy

                We have additional parishioners being trained this coming weekend in the VIRTUS program and we should be ready by early spring to move forward on both VIRTUS and TAT at the parish level.

Ecumenism

                The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held Jan 18 – 25.  On Wednesday evening January 22 we will be hosting an open discussion on Ecumenism as we enter the twenty first century.

AIM

                The parish is hosting the Archdiocesan AIM seminar on The Triduum and the Liturgical Year on six Monday evenings beginning March 3rd.

Witness for Peace

                The Acton – Boxborough – Stow clergy association is organizing a Witness for Peace on Thursday February 13^th.  Interested parishioners are invited to speak with the pastor.

Ice Cream Social

                The traditional social for young and old will be held on Friday January 31^st.

Adult Social

                The plan for an adult social in mid-February did not get as large a sign-up as hoped for.  The committee will be deciding this weekend how and if to move forward on this.

Haiti

                Fr. Butler will be going to Haiti missions February 14-20.

Youth Commission

                The busyness of the recent holidays and holydays had pushed to the back burner the task of getting a youth commission set up.  We hope to move on this soon.

Parish Pastoral Council Election

                In 1999, in addition to the regular election of members a number of  additional parishioners were appointed.  Thus no election was held in 2000 and no members are completing terms in the summer of 2003.  To get back into regular rotation it was decided to have an election of  four new members in the spring of 2003 for a three year term 2003-2006.  The council should move on this in February or March.

Archdiocesan Convocation

                Traditionally on the second Saturday of March there is a convocation of Pastoral and Finance Councils.  With the recent agenda and transition of archdiocesan leadership, it is not clear at this time whether this is on schedule or not.  Council members will be informed as soon as we have a clear statement.