Parish Council

In attendance:
Joe Notarantonio, Fr. Taillon, Cathy McMahon, Mary Kate Sullivan, Missy Antone, Steve Crawford, Deacon Sullivan, Jackie Baglini, Doris Manganaro

The meeting was called to order at 7:10pm by Joe Notarantonio, followed by evening prayer, led by Fr. Taillon.

The minutes from the previous meeting were accepted.

Reports:

Finance:
Capital campaign met its goal.  More work from Phase I to continue, including repairs to shingles on rear of parish hall, lightning rods installed, trim work painted.  Diocese has approved moving forward on Phase II, converting half of carriage house to residence for priests.  Plans are to be submitted to the town zoning board.
Application for grant funding has been completed.
Collections are up, pew enhancements for STV were OK’d by Finance Committee.
A letter to parishioners regarding the success of the campaign is almost ready to be mailed.

Liturgy:
Pre-Lent penance services have been scheduled.  Easter Vigil will begin at official sunset,
7:35pm.
Summer schedule begins on Fathers Day.

Religious Education:
Many Lenten projects are underway.
Everything seems to be going well.

Our Ladies Guild:
Rose Sale will be held on October 1-2, Respect Life Sunday.
Homebound Mass, Remembrance Mass, and Cookies for the Homebound have all been scheduled.

Social Committee:
Needs a volunteer chairperson to energize this committee.  Going to advertise in the bulletin.
Council recognized the need to move this forward and discussed a number of ideas to put on the social calendar of the parish.

Feast/Festival:
Meetings have been ongoing for the 2011 edition of the Feast/Festival.  Ann Marie Silveira has agreed to chair this event again, but is looking for an understudy to take over her duties.
Pat Capuano, who does all the media relation publicity for parish events, is also looking to pass the baton on to another volunteer.

Youth Group:
Still looking for an adult youth minister to organize activities for the high school-age parishioners.

Mission Trip 2011:
A group of 20 missionaries will be formed to again travel to the Hogar Emmanuel orphanage in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Thanksgiving week, November 19-25.
An Information Night has been scheduled at St. Thomas More on Sunday, April 3 at 5:30pm.

Next Meeting:  Monday, June 13 at 7:30pm (note time change)

Respectfully submitted,

Stephen P. Crawford
Pastoral Assistant

In attendance:

Joe Notarantonio, Jim Pontarelli, Doris Manganaro, Mary Kate Sullivan, Missy Antone, Father TailIon, Kevin O’Neill, Steve Crawford, Deacon Paul Sullivan, Jackie Baglini, Jerry Coll, Cathy McMahon

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by Joe Notorantonio, followed by evening prayer, led by Father TailIon.

The minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and accepted. Reports:

Liturgy

Big event coming on Sunday—new altar of sacrifice will be consecrated by Bishop Evans! Looking forward to the Advent and Christmas mass schedules. This year, New Year’s Day is NOT a Holy Day of Obligation.

Religious Education

Classes have begun—going well. Confirmation retreat has been conducted. First penance for 51 children and 39 in the Confirmation class.

Our Lady’s Guild

A lot going on. Day of Recollection at St. Theresa’s Shrine was a great success. The parishioners at St. Rita’s were grateful for our contributions of diapers, clothing and gift cards this fall. All Souls Day Mass was well attended and a light reception was hosted by OLG after the mass.
World Community Day 2010 was attended at Church of the Ascension on Main Street. 300 bows have been made for the Christmas wreaths!

On January 21, 2011 between 9-4 we will have a digital representation of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Saint Thomas More, followed by a talk. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed at 3:00 that afternoon. Discussion of an exposition of the Blessed Sacrament was had, but no decision was made. This day will acknowledge Roe V. Wade.

Social Committee

New Committee has been formed! Saint Nicholas (Santa) will be at SW, following the 11AM mass!

Pastor’s Report

Remember, Restore, Renew Campaign continues! We are on track to meet our financial goal.

Scaffolding is now down, in preparation for the altar consecration. The new (old) cross has been installed as well! Historical lighting has been planned. Painting will be finished in Spring, due to cold weather. There is also wood damage on the back of the building that will need to be repaired.
New altar has arrived—part from Asia!

The combined Choir is rehearsing for Christmas!

The new Father, Son, Holy Spirit window has been installed at Saint Veronica.

The statue of Our Lady has been installed at Saint Veronica, without much fanfare.

We are looking at the possible restoration of the Carriage House at Saint Thomas More. The water has been treated in the heating systems at both churches. Monitors have been placed in both churches to regulate the heating/cooling system, which will aid in energy saving. The parish is getting GREEN with new bulbs and other improvements!

National Grid has also reimbursed us $15,000 for the blown air conditioning system, due to power outage.

A blower was replaced at Saint Veronica which was causing an annoying buzz, and has saved us a tremendous amount of money.on electric bills!

Old Business

Parish Survey

a sample survey has been developed by our Survey Committee that will be discussed and modified in to the final product which will be presented to our parish family. Copies were distributed to the Council for recommendations. Timing will likely be in the springtime, when our “snow-birds” have returned.

Holy Hours on “first Fridays” will be held throughout 2011 at both churches, schedule to be announced.

New Business

Parish Festival and Feast
Still looking for a couple to Chair the parish Festival. The format has been modified from previous years.

The parish has agreed to do a painting project at Saint Charles Borromeo in Providence from 9:30-4:00 on December 11th. CCD is doing a toy drive for the Jonnycake Center in Peace Dale for Christmas.

Mission trip has been scheduled for November 19-25th, 2011 to the orphanage in the Dominican Republic. Need adult assistance for the wreath sale.

Father Tailion introduced the topic of our waning Youth Group, which has lost momentum since Nick Robenhymer has moved on. Mary Kate offered to speak to other young people to see what interest might exist.

We will be putting our Parish Council minutes on our website, viewable for all in the parish. Father Taillon put the question of a parish Facebook page to the Council for discussion.
Next meeting: Monday, March 21, 2011 Respectfully submitted,

Kevin O’Neill
Parish Council Secretary