Parish Council Meeting Minutes
January 10, 2007

Gary DeMichele called the meeting to order at 7:30PM.  The meeting took place in Milligan Hall.  Members in attendance were Dick Wowack, Paul Travers, Carmen Brickner, Madeline Milligan, Tom Policelli, David Moran and ex-officio members Fr. Cody, Cici Baker, Pat Pruitt, and Pat Piano.  Member not in attendance was John Alissi and Marilyn McGoldrick.  Pat Piano opened with a prayer.

The December minutes were reviewed and approved with the following changes:

1)             Challah was spelled incorrectly in the Community Outreach section.

2)             It is Matt Byrne of the Archdiocese of Hartford not Matt Berman as noted in the Church Financial Information section.

3)             It should Sunday Mass not Daily Mass in the Holiday Mass Attendance section.

SCHOOL BOARD / EDUCATION – Madeline Milligan

Catholic Schools Week: Steve Balkun, St. Timothy’s Middle School Principle,  talked to Pat Piano — students will be involved in all three masses for the weekend of January 27, 28 Students doing readings, bringing up gifts, taking up collections, On February 4 students will be sponsoring the coffee hour for the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., and handing out thank you cards, Board Members will also be present to set-up coffee

Tiger Ball: In response to Steve’s request letter, Mary Ann Zinzerlla will be the chair of the Tiger Ball, Diane has also received responses from people willing to help

Background Check: Currently no volunteers at STMS have had a background check, only teachers and coaches. Guidelines: Once a month with contact supervised or unsupervised with children you must have a check conducted

Teachers and Steve will be working to mesh STMS document and OCS procedure in place. The purpose overall is to create cohesion of K-8 curriculum, although STMS does not receive information from sending 5 grade teachers, nor does it send information on for 9 graders. Teachers will share information internally. Purpose of the document is to track student mastery, show the strands that are being covered. Idea of being a marketing tool, showing how aligns with state standard. Incoming students are not coming with much information in the way of standards — current 6 graders are coming from 13 feeder schools

COMMUNITY OUTREACH –  Dick Wowak / Marilyn McGoldrick

The Catholic Worker was very appreciative of the socks and clothes brought down by Marilyn and Dick on December 14^th.  Mary Fran Hennessy asked if letter could be read from IECJ regarding an event on January 24 at House of Restoration. Will try to put the letter in the bulletin.

CCD/YOUTH GROUP – Bobbie Moran

We return to the 2007 calendar year with classes and teachers ready and eager to learn.  I have addressed the attendance issue with parents sending home attendance reminders for each grade and noting our policy regarding missed classes.  Thanks to all for your support.

Our next Teen Mass will be Sunday, Jan 22 at 7pm.  The kids are looking forward to this. 

The Youth Group is scheduled to attend a retreat at Holy Family this weekend.  I am checking with Laurie today for final numbers. 

The 10th grade has submitted their dates for confirmation; we are now waiting on the Archdiocese for a final date.  Father Cody has requested that the mass be held on a Saturday at the 4pm mass.  There is some concern on the part of parents however that if we go too far into the month of May the date will conflict with college graduations (typically taking place on the 3rd weekend in May).  Pat Pruitt has helped to organize these dates and I appreciate her support.

I am holding a teachers' meeting next Sunday after classes to review the calendar for the remainder of the year and get feed back from our Catechists as to what is working and what their concerns are.  I will keep the Council notified of any concerns that may arise from this meeting.

FINANCE COUNCIL REPORT – Carmen Brickner - Finance Council has not met recently. 

The drive for Capital Improvements for St. Timothy was incredibly successful, with pledges reaching $700,000.  As funds are received, weather permits, and quotes reviewed, the parish will begin to purchase its new organ and make the changes outlined in the original campaign documents. 

Dennis Rusconi will make a full disclosure of plans along with his Annual Parish Financial Report as soon as all the year end figures are ready.  It looks like the weekend of February 10^th and 11^th.

Tom Policelli suggested we announce just before tax time about using envelopes to remind people of the advantage of doing this procedure.

PASTORAL ASSOCIATE UPDATE – Pat Piano

On February 4th there will be a speaker on the Death Penalty held between the 8:30 am and 10:30 am Sunday Masses.

PARISH LIFE/SOCIAL COMMITTEE – Paul Travers

Hospitality Sunday took place on January 7, 2007.  Carmen Brickner took the lead with the Mother’s Circle hosting the event.  “The Church of Saint Timothy & Saint Timothy Middle School” parish signs were displayed for the parish to review and vote on along with a book signing by one of our parishioners.  An informational and volunteer table was also set up for the Spaghetti Dinner. It was recommended that the donut quantity be increased by two dozen to accommodate the number of participants. 

The next Hospitality Sunday is scheduled for February 4, 2007; to be hosting by the Saint Timothy Board of Education.  The March Hospitality Sunday is scheduled for March 4, 2007; to be hosted by the Mothers Circle. The April 1, Palm Sunday, Hospitality Sunday will be hosted by members of the Parish Council with an invitation for the Finance Council to join us also.

The Spaghetti Dinner Planning Committee is meeting on Sunday January 14, 2007.  Kate Kerchaert and Carroll Conway are again lending their talents chairing this parish event.  The Spaghetti Dinner will take place on February 10, 2007.

FACILITIES/BUILDING AND GROUNDS – Tom Policelli   -   Tom went through the Church and repaired some pews and noted that some others need further repair.

EVANGELIZATION – no report

REVIEW OF OLD BUSINESS:

1. The Creation of a New Parish Sign - The Parishioners who attended Sunday Masses on Hospitality Weekend were able to view the signs but those who attended Saturday Vigil Mass were unable to.  Will vote at another time.
2. Parking and Traffic Control During Sunday Mass - Danna Hallenbach and Town Engineer are going over with Gary/Paul about lot.  Gary suggested group of parishioners to list wants/needs on January 21 at 9:30 am.  Also Council will meet at 6:30 pm before next meeting.
3. Installation of New Church Organ-Organ snag, Archbishop would like Pipe Organ
4. Church Finance Information  - Gary got the 2 DVDs from Simsbury Public Access regarding the talk on Church Financing.  Gary will burn for viewing.  Maybe could show either during / after Spaghetti Dinner.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Website Development - Gary will look at other website and requested that other Council Members as well to get a sense of what they like to help in updating St. Timothy’s.
2. Council Orientation Kit - Carmen suggested that we create a Council Orientation Training Kit and requested from Joanne Moran tapes that could help in this process.

At 9:10 pm, Carman motioned to adjourn the meeting, this was seconded.  Next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 7, 2007.

Respectfully submitted,    David Moran