The Pastoral Council is meeting regularly again, generally on the first Thursday of the month.  Important information will be included in the bulletin (usually as in insert) and on the website.  Detailed meeting minutes are available on request.

Organization   The Pastoral Council has a membership of twelve parishioners.  Additionally, the two parish trustees (Al Tinger, Ray McGoldrick), the faith formation coordinator (Chrissy Blanck) and the pastor (Fr. Michael) serve as ex-officio members.  Here are the current members:

Martha Harris (mmarhar10@hotmail.com)            Alice Perkins, Chair (perkinsam62@gmail.com)

Austin Partridge (austinleepartridge@gmail.com)              Mary Farmer (mj.farmer@yahoon.com)

Diane Butz, Secretary (dmbutz@twc.com)                         Walt Heinrich (westwall@peoplepc.com)

Diane Grigoli (dcgrigoli@yahoo.com)                                       Marty Rosenthal (rcknrgby@aol.com)

Roger Davidson (davidsonrh@aol.com)                             Vince Solomon (solomonvs@gmail.com)

Owen Kennedy (thekennedyfamily8@gmail.com)      Martha Wilhelm (mwilhelm414@gmail.com)

Please communicate with them or the ex-officio members regarding any concerns, questions or suggestions.  

The pastor presides over and guides final decisions and their implementation.  Formal guidelines for how the council functions are available upon request.

May 1, 2025 Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Father Michael, Alice Perkins, Diane Butz, Roger Davidson, Walt Heinrich, Marty Rosenthal, Diane Grigoli, Martha Harris, Martha Wilhelm, Owen Kennedy, Mary Farmer; Al Tinger, Raymond McGoldrick, Austin Partridge

Absent: Max Koffer, Matthew Perrino, Vince Solomon, Chrissy Blank

1. Alice opened the Meeting at 7:05 pm
2. Opening Prayer was led by Owen Kennedy
3. The April minutes were approved. Motion to approve by Martha Wilhelm; seconded by Roger Davidson; all approved.
4. Ministry Annual Report
5. Garden Ministry (Mary Margaret Kuhn):

• Currently 6 members working to maintain parish grounds, plantings, trees. Mary noted it is “a nice way to pray”
• Use bulbs from altar flowers, many perennials and annuals are donated, others purchased as needed.
• Blessed Virgin Mary statue and surroundings in need of attention. Pavers are settling, may replace with larger slabs to reduce weeding efforts and give a better appearance. Also, statue needs cleaning. Father Michael gave approval for work. He will be consulted if additional funds are required.

1. Bereavement Ministry. (Gayle Smith):

• Group supported 13 funerals, including 8 luncheons in the last year. Grateful families have provided notes of thanks and donations. Generous donations often exceed actual costs. Families appreciate the use of Corelle Dinnerware provided.
• Gayle noted with gratitude the assistance that Sal Grigoli provides the group.
• Challenges: Group is down three members at this time and one of the ovens is not operational.
• Gayle is turning over leadership to Laura Bliss Lamb after 37 years of service.

5. Walk with One Pilot Discussion (Marty)

      As a first step we are reminded to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit. Consider spending time in prayer, Adoration, other opportunities to discern how to move forward. Some Experiences noted thus far include:      

• Delivery of palms provided a chance to talk about challenges, difficulties encountered with the Church
• Conversations with students, answering questions, listening to views on paganism, demonology, Christianity
• Conversations with people in hospital, distributing prayer cards when welcomed
• Posting reason for Good Friday early business closure as testament to faith.
• ”Faith over Fear” slogan – subtle conversation starter
• Inviting participation in Adoration, Bingo, prayer and lighting a candle for special intention
• Welcoming families relocating and connecting them with local churches.
• Appeal to St Monica, seeking her intercession in bringing people back to the Church.

6. Folk Mass (Alice for Vince who was absent)

• Vince provided a written proposal in his absence. 6/22 is the date suggested though it may conflict with   Cooperstown HS graduation.  The Entrance, Offertory, Communion, Post-Communion Meditation, and Recessional hymns would be done by guitar.  All other liturgical hymns would be accompanied by Lucille on the organ.
• There were questions and discussion regarding what makes Mass a Folk Mass and who is it intended to resonate with. Fr. Michael and/or Alice will follow up.
• The Folk Mass discussion expanded to the Grandparents Mass. Given insufficient interest last year for organization and participation, the Grandparent Mass will not be continued.
• Also discussed was Mother’s Day and Father’s Day flowers that have been made available in the past by youth group. This could be considered for next year and possibly be a fund raiser for the Scholarship Fund.

7. Student Membership on Council (Alice)

This will not be continued. Alice will follow up with Max and Matthew.

8. Paint the Church Update (Alice)

Three additional contractors are providing estimates or input as outlined below.  Once estimates are received from 2 of these contractors, all estimates will be summarized and brought to the council.

Perry Lorens:  Perry lives in Edmeston, is a devout Catholic, and his crew is also Catholic. They bring their spirituality to their work – it is why they do what they do. He specifically stated that the love of God drives his work. His forte is restorative plaster and painting. Attention to detail and doing things right is important to him.   He has painted the sanctuaries in St Joseph the Worker in West Winfield and in Richfield Springs.  Early in April he was doing structural work on the tower of Holy Family in Little Falls.  He provides handiwork at Rosa Mystica and mentioned having done the work in the Rosa Mystica relics room.  Perry also does restoration of statues and stations.  He expressed interest in visiting our church and providing an estimate.  Since he comes through Cooperstown at some frequency, he will stop, assess the job and provide an estimate. 

Tom Stroka:   Tom is with Duncan G Stroik Architect, LLC Religious and Classical Architecture located in South Bend, Indiana.  They are active in New York State.  Tom looked at St Mary’s via our website after which he estimated $1M for architectural paint and the painting itself.  They typically work with cathedrals, and he did not feel they were a good fit for our project.  He did send a couple of Sacred Architecture journals which advertise decorative liturgical painters, one of which is Canning Liturgical.  He did comment on Canning saying they were good at color studies and estimates. Understanding our financial challenge, he suggested utilizing someone like Canning for project advice and to choose the colors, and then getting a local firm to do the actual painting. 

Ray Tiedemann: Ray is the owner of J Tiedemann Incorporated which specializes in church painting, decorating, and restoration.  Ray will call Alice tomorrow or early next week to plan a visit.  Ray prefers to visit the church and then provide an estimate within a couple of days.  He can work in phases and will make capital plan suggestions.

9. Round Robin

Alice – Follow up on a couple of items from previous meetings: Strategic Planning Session will be postponed until diocesan reorganization is complete.  Father Michael will consider a walk-through of Mass for the Fall or Spring of next Faith Formation year

Al – pass

Walt – Any interest in presentation on Notre Dame restoration by local craftsman rom Framers Guild of North America

Ray – pass

Austin – Pray for success of conclave’s selection of a good and holy pope

Diane B – Consider including in the bulletin welcome to new parishioners, baptisms and marriages as was done at one time. Coordinate with Kitty.

Diane G – pass

Martha H.- Sister’s talk this week was very good

Mary F – pass

Marty – pass

Martha W – Sister’s talk was delightful; kids responded well

Roger – pass

Owen- Thank you to Mary Kuhn and Chrissy for their efforts with the First Communion Retreat. It was well done.

Father Michael – Encouraged participation in May’s 24hr Adoration; reminder of upcoming speaker, John Acquaviva of Wingate University, on Sportsmanship and our Catholic Faith. May 22 and May 23; a complaint has been received that our bells are too loud. Father has adjusted the volume down.

10. June Prayer Leader – Alice Perkins
11. Closing prayer by Fr. Michael
12. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm

Future PC meetings: Jun 5, Jul 3, Sep 4