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Preliminary Parish Pastoral Council Minutes
March 13, 2006

Prior to our meeting, the following committees emailed their reports to me.  I collected the reports and distributed them to everyone on council one week prior to our meeting.   

Children's Religious Education-submitted by Joan Parker
Social Action Committee-submitted by Ed Walls 
Publicity & Community Events-submitted Carol Johnson
 Parish Outreach Committee -submitted by Frank Blee 
Building & Grounds Report

These reports can also be viewed at (click here)

The following committees did not submit a report for this month:

Vocations Committee
Youth Ministry
Family Life
Liturgical Committee

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Pastoral Parish Council

MINUTES

March 13, 2006

 The Meeting:

·        Meeting called to order at 7:00pm

·        Opening prayer: Bob Senese

·        Attending:  Matt Macready , Bob Senese, Ray Ring, Carol Johnson, Frank Blee , Addie Blee, Joann Malecki, Ed Walls, Rev. Mr. Bill Peters, Connie Peters, Pat Bentley, Fr. Bob, & Fr. Cosme

·        Absent:  Kevin Walls , Joan Parker , & Rev. Mr. Joe Becker

·        No correspondence was reported

Last Month’s Minutes:

            Changes: none

            Motion to approve minutes:  Ray & Carole seconded

            Motion was accepted & minutes were approved

Committee/Group Reports:

Prior to our meeting, the following reports were submitted and distributed to council.  As always they can be viewed at our website www.stelizabethannseton.com

Building & Grounds Report
Publicity & Community Events Committee
Children’s Religious Education 
Social Action Committee
Parish Outreach Committee

The following committees did not submit a report for this month:

            Family Life
Liturgical Committee 
Vocations Committee
Youth Ministry

Discussion of Committee/Group Reports:

  1. Building & Grounds Report: Denny Mulligan will probably start sprucing up the church grounds soon.  Also, the windows in the rectory and an alarm system for the 2 buildings is being considered
  2. Liturgical Committee-  Addie is currently holding a prayer service every Wednesday between 10-12am at Addie Blee’s house.  Also last Saturday, she helped conduct a meeting for American Mothers.  Among the topics were “Drugs & Alcohol” and getting help for the teenagers.  It was attended by approximately 30 people. 
  3. Vocations Committee-  Connie & Bill spoke about one of the four meetings the diocese has had to stir the pot for deaconate candidates.  They mentioned that the meeting was well attended and that our bishop is determined that there will be more deacons in the parishes.
  4. Family Life-  Joanne is now trying to coordinate something with Sr. Celeste (from Brigantine).   Possibly setting up a help group for divorce couples.  Other ideas that were thrown out for Joanne to consider included:
    5. bulletPeriodically setting up a check your blood pressure opportunity for those interested after a mass
    bulletA young adult program set up like a coffee shop
    bulletConduct a bereavement group ( although like many of the suggestions, such an undertaking would probably require a counseling degree)
    bulletNatural Family Planning workshops
    bulletSetting up a children’s play group.  Again Chris Lourge’s name was mentioned here.  Chris is supposedly interest in such a group.  It was decided that Matt will tell Chris to contact Frank Blee .  Frank stated that the diocese already has developed the framework for such a program.  Of which, Frank states is pretty involved.  Once Chris has had a chance to see what is involved, it was suggested that he put his thoughts together and present them to Joanne.  Joanne will then present it to council

Old Business: 

  1. Recruits for Vice President-  there are still none.  The council has been asked to once again shake the bushes and see if we can find a volunteer.  Also Matt suggested that Kevin and himself speak briefly at the Sunday masses one weekend.  Explaining that we have a council, what it does, and if anyone would like to get involved in it.  I also mentioned I would speak at a Saturday mass.
  2. Pending discussion items from February’s minutes:
    1. Increase exposure of Assumption Regional School in church bulletin-  Council felt that this had been accomplish.  (closed)
    2. Add Assumption Regional School phone numbers to our telephone listings-  Fr. Bob will talk to Joanne about making this happen (still pending)
    3. A purpose for having a Family Life Committee- already discussed above (still pending)
    4. Matt’s draft of an amendment for our election bylaws-  due to a computer glitch Matt was unable to present that to council tonight.  He promises to have it next month (still pending)
    5. A vice presidential candidate (still pending)
    6. More specific numbers from the diocese regarding the Assumption project, specifically the subsidies and what is expected from the capital campaign. (still pending)
    7. How to develop Chris Lourge and his wife’s interest in the Family Life committee (still pending)

 New Business: 

  1. Hospitality for new pastor- Fr Perry Cherubini has been named Fr. Bob’s replacement.  Someone said they would ask Mary Ann Learn if she could prepare some sort of after mass reception for Fr. Perry.  It would probably be Father’s Day weekend
  2. Chicken Barbeque Plans- Carole is trying to be on top of this.  All of a sudden is appears that the City of Absecon is being difficult in allowing these events.  She is already applying for the necessary permits and hopefully they will be awarded
  3. Future council meetings- Off in April (because of Holy Week), then May 8, but what about June.  Fr. Bob’s last day is June 11, the June meeting should be June 12, but will Fr. Perry be here by then?  I have already emailed Fr. Perry asking him for his advice and if he could me know before the May 8 meeting.
  4. Transition plans for changing president- Because Matt is unavailable for the May 8 meeting, tonight was actually his last meeting as president.  Council thanked Matt for the many hours of hard work that he put into the job.  As the really the first president of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Parish Council, he was handed a tough job.  But four years later, I think Matt can look back and take pride in the things we have accomplished.  Kevin will take over the presidential duties at the May meeting and tentatively be officially installed at the Pentecost Mass (June 19).  Finally, until we find a replacement for Kevin, the Vice President position will remain open.

Open Forum

bulletIt was noted that when the new Assumption Regional School is built, Sister Jude will no longer be the principal
bulletFr. Bob encouraged us all to support the house of Charity Campaign.  Our $91,000 parish goal will be used to help the needy and the poor.
bulletFr. Bob also asked us to participate in this Lenten season through increase prayer, through good works and/or participation in the Stations of the Cross
bulletFr. Bob also noted that when someone volunteers to say the prayer at our meetings, they should make sure to allow opportunity for others to include petitions.  
bulletWe welcomed Fr. Cosme and he noted his desire become familiar with our parish’s vision and how that coincides with the vision of the diocese.
bulletPat thanked Fr. Bob and Deacon Bill for rearranging the Stations of the Cross so that more children could attend

Summary of topics discussed:

Those Pending: 

bulletAdd Assumption Regional School phone numbers to our telephone listings.  Fr Bob is working on it
bulletA purpose for having a Family Life Committee
bulletHow to develop Chris Lourge and his wife’s interest in the Family Life committee
bulletMatt’s draft of an amendment for our election bylaws
bulletMore specific numbers from the diocese regarding the Assumption project, specifically the subsidies and what is expected from the capital campaign.
bulletCouncil was once again asked to find a vice presidential candidate and submit that name at the next meeting
bulletMatt, Kevin, & I are to briefly speak at all the masses some Sunday to promote the Parish Council

 Those Closed

bulletIncrease exposure of Assumption Regional School in church bulletin

Those Tabled-nothing noted

Next meeting

Monday May 8, 2006    
Time 7:00 pm  

Pat will lead us in prayer

 Respectfully submitted by:
 Bob Senese ,
Secretary

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