The Church of Saint Timothy
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
October 21, 2009
President Paul Travers called the meeting to order at
The minutes of the
C O M M I T T E E R E P O R T S
CCD/Youth Groups: Jayne O’Donnell reported that all CCD teacher slots are filled and 157 children are in the program. Some parishioners have remarked on Jayne’s clear explanation of the sacrament of Reconciliation to teachers and parents of children who will be receiving this sacrament on Dec. 9th. First Communion is on May 8th. The Prime Time Kids Mass will be Sunday, October 25th at 10:30 A.M. Jayne will not be overseeing the Christmas Eve Children’s Mass. Camille Ferreira will be taking on this duty. Each of the classes will be doing a social outreach project this year.
Bobbi Moran reported that Grades 6-10 are running smoothly. The 10th grade class has over 50 students enrolled, and a group retreat to Camp Woodstock, January 16th-17th is being planned The 6th grade class is running a service project for local food shelters.
Maureen Brouillard is following up with teachers who have not yet received training for “Protecting God’s Children”.
Liturgy/Environment/ Evangelization/ Music: Pat Piano reported that the Stewardship committee met and discussed ways our children can be more involved in the stewardship of the parish. With the help of the Parish Council and parish staff, there was a Welcome Coffee for all newly registered parishioners on October 4th. The committee met on Oct. 18th to discuss ways to “tighten up” efforts to welcome more new people.
It was suggested that pictures of church staff, parish advisory council be at the entryways of the church.
It was moved, seconded and passed that the first Sunday of each month continue as “Donut Sunday”. Children will be asked to contribute /donate some of their money at the Masses on the first Sunday of the month.
The Liturgy committee met on Oct. 6th and discussed the following: The Annual Mass to remember our beloved dead will be Sunday, Nov. 1st at
St. Tim’s Adult Education: The committee met on Oct. 5th to plan for 2010. On Nov. 17th, Rev. Barbara Jamestone, minister, Unitarian Society,
Pastoral Care: The team met on Oct. 20th with guest speaker, Eileen Clery, R.N., a dementia educator at St Mary’s Home. The knitting ministry received an award for its support of cancer patients and others in need. Prayer shawls have been a source of comfort to many. The committee is looking into filling the need for gluten-free hosts.
All Eucharistic Ministers have been asked to sanitize their hands before distributing communion.
RCIA: The process moves forward with two catechumens.
Facilities/Buildings/Grounds: Theresa McGrath and Mark Colbert are working on some projects. Mark is continuing to work on a sign for the front lawn. He has met with several people who would be responsible for doing some of the work. It is hoped that the total cost for each sign will be around $5,000.00. It was suggested that Regina Neal might want to be included in this project as a consultant. Mark will be at the Nov. 3rd Finance Council meeting to discuss this project.
Mark Colbert showed how he keeps track of various warranties, etc. He is willing to share his database and expertise to keep track of St. Tim’s warranties and provide a better projection of our expenditures.
Mark and Theresa will meet with Dennis O’Sullivan and then Dennis Rusconi to discuss spread sheets, etc. and further discussion of the condition of the sidewalk.
Community Outreach: Maureen Brouillard reported on the work of the Outreach committee. The Sept. 19th-20th School Supplies drive to benefit Clark, Milner and McDonough schools in
The Outreach committee met on Sept. 17th and , after careful consideration, distributed charitable donations in the amount of $35,000.00 to 11 organizations. Priority was given to those organizations providing basic necessities: Birthright, Catholic Worker House, Coop Parish Sharing, Family Life, Foodshare, Hartford Rescue Mission, Hopeworks, Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford, Mercy House, My Sister’s Place and Tabor House.
The Outreach committee plans to have the 2010 recipients determined in January 2010.
Finance Committee: The committee will meet on Nov. 3rd. Thus far, $59,000.00 has been pledged for the Annual Appeal. $54,000.00 has come in. The goal before the Dec.31st deadline is $1600.00.
Parish Life/Social Committee: Kudos were extended to Bob Shea for the successful October Hospitality Sunday. Plans are being made for the November and December Hospitality Sunday. Ned Wentworth will be the “back-up Santa” for the December Hospitality Sunday.
There was some discussion to look into having wine and cheese after the
Bob and Paul Travers will meet with Mary Zeman to discuss the spaghetti dinner.
Website: Pat Pruitt thanked Bob Shea and his family and friends for staffing the table during Hospitality Sunday to get parishioners to sign-up to receive email notices of St. Tim’s events and news. So far, 93 members have signed up. At the request from Pat Piano that she be able to use the e-mails on the website, Pat Pruitt learned how to do it and spoke with our webmaster, Jim Smith, to see if she did it correctly Pat has and will get together with Pat Piano to show her how it works.
Safe Environment: Maureen Brouillard reported that a workshop on “Protecting God’s Children” will be held at St. Tim’s on Oct. 27th. This is open to the diocese. Everyone working with our children in any capacity is required to attend.
School Board/Education: No report
Because of the lateness of the hour, the Goals for the Parish Council were tabled until the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Bette Marafino