The Church of Saint Timothy
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
January  14,  2009

Vice-President Tom Policelli called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm.  Members in attendance were Mary Ruddat, Ned Wentworth, Joan McGauley, Bette Marafino. Ex-officio members- Fr. Cody, Pat Piano, Cici Baker.  Paul Travers arrived during the meeting.  The minutes of the December 10, 2008 meeting were accepted.

C O M M I T T E E    R E P O R T S

CCD/YOUTH GROUPS:  Jayne O’Donnell reported that approximately 60 children participated in the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass.  Preparations for the February 1^st Prime Time Kid’s Mass at 10:30 are underway.

Bobbi Moran reported that CCD classes for grades 6-10 are going well.  Confirmation will be Sunday, May 3^rd for 33 students with a special Mass at 12:30 celebrated by Bishop Rosazza.  The confirmation class will celebrate a Mass of Election on Sunday, March 22^nd at 10:30.  The 10^th grade retreat at Camp Woodstock will be from Feb.28^th-March 1^st.  Fr. Cody and Ned Wentworth will attend along with high school seniors Samantha Moran, Sean Murphy and Jake Spignesi.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH:  Mary Ruddat reported that there will be a socks and underwear drive on Feb. 7^th and 8^th to be distributed to a couple of schools in Hartford.  There was a reminder for more donations of “one can a week”.

FACILITIES/BUILDINGS/GROUNDS:   Ned Wentworth reported that the grounds are in “good shape”.

PARISH LIFE/ SOCIAL COMMITTEE:  No report

SCHOOL BOARD:  Marilyn McGoldrick reported on the minutes of the Saint Timothy’s December 8^th School Board meeting.  The Fall drama production “My One and Only Milo”, a play about race relations, written by Spring Hermann, a Saint Timothy parishioner, was well-received by the students.

The Foundation for Advancement of Catholic Schools attended a recent school assembly and made scholarship awards.  This group is considering increasing monies available for additional resources to the school.

Parishioner Dan DeGalbo, a World War II veteran spoke to the 8^th grade class.

Principal Balkun met with Claudia Hart from Northwest Catholic High School about math courses freshmen should have and they looked at the progression from Saint Timothy Middle School to Northwest Catholic High School.  Math curriculum is coming up for review, so this is an appropriate time to make any needed changes.  There are 12 Saint Timothy Middle School students in honors math.

The balance of the school’s endowment fund has dropped 30% in value given market.

Principal Balkun reported that he attended a Marketing committee meeting with about 20 other principals to look at ways to increase enrollment.  He came away with some good ideas which will be looked at for future use.

There was also a discussion on tuition increases or tuition freeze.  As more information becomes available from the Finance committee, a better determination will be made.

LITURGY/EVANGELIZATION:  See Pat Piano’s report

FINANCE COMMITTEE:  The council looked at Tom Policelli’s report which had been presented at the December Parish Council meeting.  Tom gave an update that as of Jan.5^th, $139,000 had been pledged for the Boiler replacement  and $135,171 has been received.  Tom also raised the point about looking at a “link” between the parish and the school.  For example, should St. Tim’s students be more involved in church drives, etc.?  This will be a discussion for later.

COMMENTS:  Paul Travers returned from his meeting with the St. Peter Claver Parish Council. Paul said it was a brief meeting and the beginning of an open dialogue with the two parishes.   Paul stated that it might be a good idea to have occasional meetings with the two parishes.  Bette Marafino reported that four Hall High students, who are members of the Saint Timothy confirmation class, have been performing their community service work by tutoring elementary grade students from Noah Webster School in the after-school program at First Church of the Living God.  The director of this after-school program is much impressed with their work and commitment.

Fr Cody thanked everyone for his 50^th Anniversary party.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Bette Marafino