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.
December 5, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Father Michael, Alice Perkins, Diane Butz, Roger Davidson, Vince Solomon, Walt Heinrich, Marty Rosenthal, Diane Grigoli, Martha Harris, Austin Partridge, Martha Wilhelm, Owen Kennedy
Absent: Mary Farmer, Chrissy Blank, Al Tinger, Raymond McGoldrick, Max Koffer, Matthew Perrino
- Alice opened the Meeting at 7:00 pm
- Opening Prayer was led by Walt Heinrich
- The February minutes wer approved. Motion to approve by Father Michael; Diane Grigoli seconded motion; all approved.
- Ministry Annual Report
- Carol Lachance:
- Altar Guild: Cleaning of Linens/ purificators/ corporals)- Patricia McLeish & 8 women & cleaning of white chair covers by a volunteer; Sanctuary by cleaning 11 women; Liturgically dress the Sanctuary; Brass Cleaning
- Carol is looking for help with caring for the Sanctuary beyond the “basics”
- Prayerfully Made: Ecumenical knitting and crocheting group that started approx. 15 years ago- 21 women are active; 11 are Catholic- provides socialization for women; made 68 sweater sets, 43 baby blankets with hat, 26 adult blankets for Cancer Center, 14 shawls for Cooperstown Center, 52 hats and scarves for Hartwick Food Pantry, blankets/ shawls for Welcome Baskets for St. Mary’s, St. Mary’s Right to Life 12 baby blankets with hats, 10 baby sets, 5 baby sacks; for a total of 225 pieces donated in 2024
- If we hear of someone who is sick or is having a baby, please let Carol know.
- Bring Cooperstown Center Communion on Wednesdays – by 3 people; Thanksgiving Home & Woodside by 2 people
- Mary’s Messengers: 2 volunteers mail cards (missed you/ thinking of you) and write messages to 7 sick or homebound parishioners
- Diane Grigoli:
- Respect For Life Committee: 2024 Donations: Film amount: $250, vestibule box: $500 given to New Life Ministry Maternity House in Hudson, NY; considering a tea or women’s speaker or confirmation class education; Owen mentioned the Gianna Center in Albany that is prolife and could help women with fertility issues.
- Walk with One Discussion led by Marty
- Carol Lachance:
A fruit of the Eucharistic Revival that hopes to evangelize and bring fallen away Catholics back to the Church and to bring new people to the Church in one on one engagement with a heart to heart approach.
- Four step Process: Identifying a person with humility; Intercede and communicate with the person and the Holy Spirit; Connect in Eucharistic Friendship; Invite on path suitable for the person
- The Pastoral Council members will pilot the process and evaluate if it is suitable to roll out to the Parish and examine methods to pursue
- Paint the Church Committee Update led by Alice
Egan Church Restorations- (It is the company who replaced the pews)- provided an estimate with options:
- Paint the Church- simple option estimate (3 colors): $28,100 For Sanctuary and $60,315 for Nave (Total $88,415)
- Rendering and coloring for simple design: $3000 would be deducted from the total cost of painting
- Embellishments and custom design: $41,100 for Sanctuary and $78,450 for Nave (Total $119,450) With Rendering costing ($5,200)
- Mass could be in the church for weekends and in the parish hall for weekdays
- Round Robin:
Vince- asked for prayers for his father as he approaches the “firsts” since his mother’s death
Austin- Pass
Walt- Asked about Mardi Gras- Father stated over 90 people were at the event and it was festive, $2000+ from the event and additional money from donations for scholarship
Marty- Pass
Martha H.- Pass
Diane G- Pass
Diane B- Pass
Martha W- Pass
Alice- Pass
Owen- Thanked Father and parishioners for their support after the death of his father and for the 7:00 am Ash Wednesday Mass that had 13+ school aged parishioners in attendance. Thanked Father and Chrissy for the Retreat on Eucharistic Miracles
Roger- led us in the Hail Mary for Vince’s dad
Father Michael- 265 people for Ash Wednesday Masses;
Lent: Stations of the Cross Fridays at 7 pm
Living Rosary -3/27 6 pm with Pizza following
Fish Dinner- 4/4 at 5-7 pm with Stations and Holy Hour of Adoration following
Book Signing 3/31- The Saint I Knew book signing
Holy Week: Holy Thursday Mass, Good Friday service, Easter Vigil
Cherry Valley– Karen Walker retired, and Father Michael is now their Pastor with a leadership team
- April Prayer Leader- Father Michael
- Closing prayer by Fr. Michael
- Meeting adjourned at 8:14 pm.
Future PC meetings: Apr 3, May 1, Jun 5