Paul Travers called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm. Members in attendance were Theresa McGrath, Marilyn McGoldrick, Tom Policelli, David Moran, and Bette Marafino. Ex-officio members in attendance were Father Cody, Pat Piano, and Pat Pruitt. The September minutes were reviewed and approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
OUTREACH: submitted by Mary Ruddat. The committee established the following dates for its Fall/Winter drives: Blanket Drive - October 25-26; Coat Drive - November 8-9; Bag-a-Meal - November 22-23; Christmas Toy Drive - December 6-7 and 13-14. No events are currently scheduled with Emmanuel Synagogue. Father Cody would like to continue to collaborate with Emmanuel on an event, but more volunteers are needed.
SCHOOL BOARD: Marilyn McGoldrick reported that minutes were not yet available. Good enrollment in all grades, and the 8th grade enrollment is maxed out. Book Fair is currently being held.
CCD/YOUTH GROUP: Reports submitted by Jayne O’Donnell and Bobbi Moran.
CCD - Religious education began September 14 with approximately 180 children. There are 19 teachers/assistants who have attended Virtus training sessions. Teachers/assistants will be commissioned at the 10:30 Mass on October 26. Children in Grades 2-5 will be working on a social outreach project. Jayne will form a Religious Education Board (at the suggestion of the Parish Council). Members will help organize for special occasions, serve as consultants and offer support.
YOUTH GROUP - Teachers have been recruited for grades 6-10. Parents of 10th graders met on October 5 with Bobbi and Bernie Moran to discuss the requirements for confirmation.
FINANCE COMMITTEE: No report.
PASTORAL ASSOCIATE UPDATE: Pat Piano reported the following information:
Liturgy Committee - met on October 7 to discuss the Mass for Father O’Neill; new altar servers will start training on Sunday, October 19 after the 10:30 Mass. The committee is preparing for Advent Season and for the Parish/Mission Retreat with Father Vincent Youngberg
Environment Committee - planned for Father O’Neill’s Mass and new fall altar arrangements; organization of all our flags and banners is being worked on.
Adult Education Committee - the West Hartford Catholic Adult Education Committee in conjunction with the Voice of the Faithful hosted a lecture by Father John Rohn from the restructured parishes in East Hartford, North. This meeting at St. Thomas the Apostle was attended by two hundred people from all six West Hartford parishes. We are working on a project/meeting of St. Timothy Parish and St. Peter Claver as a follow-up to the meeting at St. Thomas. Plans have been finalized for adult education in 2009 at The Church of St. Timothy.
Stewardship/Evangelization Committee - the committee met on September 21 and finalized plans for the new welcome book. There was a reception for new parishioners on Sunday, October 5 at 9:30 am. The committee met on Saturday, October 4 with Light of the World Ministries for an overview of this evangelization program and will meet in October to evaluate and decide whether or not to go forward with this effort.
Pastoral Care Team - will meet for its bi-annual meeting on Tuesday, October 14 at 12:30 in the Rectory. A representative from the Archdioceses of Hartford will update the team on abuse among elders.
50th Anniversary - Monday, October 20 as part of a three-part series to honor parish authors, Denise Lynch will have a reading of her play on John Donne. Father Cody is cast as one of the actors.
A motion was made and passed to approve all reports.
FACILITIES/BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: No report. Father Cody said that the new boiler project is going along smoothly. A chair is needed for this committee.
OLD BUSINESS: Radko Popov, Seminary student from Bulgaria, is currently being hosted by three parish families. It is hoped that other families will volunteer as hosts.
NEW BUSINESS: Safety volunteers are needed during the masses to sit in the back of the church and be alert to parishioners. Father will speak to this and encourage parishioners to volunteer for this task. There will be safety training for Lectors, Eucharist Ministers, Cantors and others on Sunday, October 26. Dave Moran volunteered to chair the Parish Social Life committee. Paul Travers volunteered to help out.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bette Marafino
