Update from the pastor to parish pastoral council 13 October 2005

Parish Pastoral Council Election

Our thanks to John Sangermano for the nominations and election support.

Laureen DeBenedetto, Carole Makary, and Ed Reverdy were elected.

Anna Lopez

As announced last week, Anna Lopez will be leaving us as secretary but will continue as bookkeeper on a part time basis. We plan a reception for her after the 10:30 on October 23^rd.

We have noted in this week’s bulletin that the secretary’s position is open. We are looking for someone Monday to Friday 9:30 to 12:30.

Generations of Faith

We got off to a good start in September and the next round begins with this coming weekend. Topic this month is Anointing and Pastoral Care of the Sick. Emerson Hospital chaplain will be with us.

Anointing of the Sick

Communal service planned for November 5^th.

Apple Fest 2005

Special thanks to Scott Drugotch and all who pitched in for another good Apple Fest.

St. Isidore Garden

Thanks to Dave and Eve DiMasi and others for a good year.

R. C. I. A.

An open meeting is planned for September 26^th; hopefully this will restart this program.

Newsletter

We did not get out a Fall Newsletter due to the pace of events in September.

State legislation on marriage and family

As requested by Archbishop Seán, information was distributed to all about the proposed referendum. The following week there was opportunity outside the entrance of the church, for those interested, to sign petitions.

Stewardship Committee

Stewardship Fair is scheduled for November 5 –6.

Liturgy Committee

This was tabled during the summer and will resume after the Stewardship Fair.

Vocations

The archdiocese is interested in the formation of parish vocation committees and we will be addressing that in the coming weeks.

Micah

Now that the reconfiguration issues have past, we hope to bring interested parishioners into the Micah activity (interfaith work of folks 128 to 495 / route 9 to route 2.

Finances

The Finance Council reported to the parish at the end of September and income is improving slowly; not yet up to the goal.

The 40,000 deficit of last year (now nearer 50,000) is in accounts payable to the archdiocese for insurance etc. We met with the chancellor a week ago and he is willing for us to get back on our feet first. We will be addressing that more directly in the 2006-07 budget.

Outreach to new people moving into Stow.

The September 18^th Mass was enjoyable; attendance was thinner than we had hoped.

A more detailed strategy must be designed to make contact with both old and new parishioners.