The Church of Saint Timothy
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
March  11,  2009

President Paul Travers called the meeting to order at 7:35pm.  Members in attendance were Tom Policelli, Ned Wentworth, Mary Ruddat, Teresa McGrath, Joan McGauley, Marilyn McGoldrick, David Moran, and Bette Marafino.  Ex-officio members; Fr Cody, Pat Pruitt, and Cici Baker.  Guest: Matt McGrath

The minutes of the February 11, 2009 Parish Council meeting were accepted.

The order of the agenda was adjusted so the new business of the Archbishop’s letter re- General Assembly Bill 1098- a bill which would “amend certain sections of the existing CT General Statutes dealing with the laws under which the Roman Catholic parish corporations are presently organized..” and the subsequent rally against the Bill at the Capitol on March 11^th be discussed.  Parishioner Matt McGrath and Teresa McGrath attended the Rally and spoke about the Rally and gave their reactions.  Prior to the Rally, the Bill had been withdrawn.  After a discussion of the contents of the Bill and its reason(s) for its being both drafted and withdrawn, it was decided to ask Jayne O’Donnell to attend the next Parish Council meeting to discuss the Bill and the role of Voice of the Faithful.  "There was a discussion of the letter sent by the Voice of the Faithful in the Diocese of Bridgeport endorsing Bill 1098; This Bill, if enacted, would " place control of the temporal affairs of Roman Catholic parishes in the lay members of those parishes."  Mary Ruddat offered that this letter be placed in the minutes.  The Voice of the Faithful in the Diocese of Hartford did not endorse or have any part in the position and letter from the VOTF diocese of Bridgeport.

Pat Piano submitted a Pastoral Associate report.
 

C O M M I T T E E    R E P O R T S

CCC/YOUTH GROUP:  Ned Wentworth reported that 35 students in the Confirmation Class attended the weekend retreat at Camp Woodstock.  Father Cody also came and spoke to the students.

LITURGY COMMITTEE:  The Liturgy committee met on March 3^rd and reviewed and made final recommendations and preparations for Holy Week and Easter.   The second Mass for the Deaf was on Sunday, March 8^th.  After Easter, two new RCIA candidates will begin the process of becoming members of the Catholic Church.

ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE:  Committee met on February 8^th.  The committee is looking for help to decorate the church for Easter, beginning on Holy Saturday at 8:30am.  The 50^th Anniversary Banner is up and looks presentable.  The new processional candles donated by Stan and Mickey Bartus’ family have been ordered and should be in use by Easter.  The family of Mary Ann Salas purchased a new vestment for Fr. Cody for the Lent/Advent season.  Thanks to the family for this kind gift.

ADULT EDUCATION:  A forum on the three Abrahamic Religions, a product of the joint work of the Hartford Seminary Foundation and the Saint Timothy Parish Adult Education Committee will be held on Tuesday, March 24^th at 7:00pm in Milligan Hall.  The play Haunted by God was a huge success, proceeds from this event in the amount exceeding $2,000.00 was donated to St. Martin dePorres (Hartford Catholic Worker House).

STEWARDSHIP/EVANGELIZATION COMMITTEE:  The new tri-fold Welcome brochure is on hold until we can obtain some better pictures of our parish.  Plans are continuing for a Fair, the weekend of May 31^st, (Pentecost Sunday) to invite everyone to be more involved in parish life. 

PASTORAL CARE:  The team continues to visit hospitals, homebound, and frail and elderly; and anyone who is sick and needs a visit.                                                     .

FACILITIES/BUILDINGS/GROUNDS:  Joan McGauley noted that the concrete on the new sidewalk is starting to deteriorate.  Father Cody stated that he spoke to the engineer in charge about fixing the walk.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH:  Mary Ruddat reported the committee met on February 24^th and discussed the following activities:

March 28^th - 29^th Easter baskets filled with toys and clothes will be collected
                                      for Gifts of Love

April 25^th - 26^th is a book drive for Bergoff Clinic and Clark/McDonough Schools

May 2^nd - 3^rd.  diaper drive for Family Life Education

June 6^th - 7^th summer camp supplies drive for Catholic Worker House

July (entire month) back to school supplies for Gifts of Love

April 21^st, at 7:00pm at Saint Timothy Middle School (STMS), through the Office of Urban Affairs, Tom Ulrich will conduct a workshop focusing on how to create Parish vision for social ministry and how to help leaders develop an effective and active social outreach program in their parish.  During this workshop, a five-series program, called Salt and Light aimed at Catholic Social Teaching will be announced, beginning in the fall.  Pre-registration is needed for this April 21^st workshop.

FINANCE COMMITTEE:  No report

PARISH LIFE/SOCIAL COMMITTEE:  Dave Moran reported a Blood Drive at Saint Timothy on Good Friday.  Mary Zeman is organizing the parish Easter egg hunt.  Thanks to Pat Pruitt for her organizational skills in helping on Hospitality Sunday.  The Knights of Columbus has offered to help with the next Hospitality Sunday.

SCHOOL BOARD/EDUCATION:  Marilyn McGoldrick reported that the STMS Board met on March 9^th.  The Board reviewed the school budget which is being created.  Enrollment is on track with last year. Next year a sixth grade student with severe disabilities will be accepted.

Paul Travers asked Teresa McGrath to prepare a report on the status of Bill 1098.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Bette Marafino