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.
April 3, 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; Guests: Edna Chase, Jeff Woeppel
Absent: Chrissy Blank, Al Tinger, Raymond McGoldrick, Max Koffer, Matthew Perrino, Vince Solomon, Austin Partridge
- Alice opened the Meeting at 7:02 pm
- Opening Prayer was led by Father Michael
- The March minutes were approved. Motion to approve by Father Michael; Martha Wilhelm seconded motion; all approved.
- Ministry Annual Report
- Edna Chase – The Hospitality Committee: ~11-12 active members at meetings with ~15 bakers/cooks. Thanks to Sal for setting up tables and chairs for the events. In an effort to “go green” purchased 150 white dinner plates and 150 white dessert plates. Events have been successful and included lemonade on the lawn/ parish hall, annual parish picnic at Glimmerglass State Park, appetizer “Appy Hours,” chili contest, St. Patrick’s Day Dinner, annual fish dinner, First Communion reception, breakfasts and lunches after Mass. For the annual dinners, donations at the door offset the price of the dinners; for the monthly events, the hospitality members donate the food. One side of the oven is in the process of being fixed.
- Jeff Woeppel – Social Justice Committee: started in Sept 2022 with 8 members, looking for 1-2 more people. Based on the Corporal Works of Mercy. Has a low profile Benefit Fund for Otsego County residents in economic need (used ~5 times), involved in Refugee Resettlement Program, linked with other faith communities and social service agencies (Angel Network), stewardship of the earth (LED lighting, bulletin links to educational articles), lobby legislators for social programs consistent with parish mission (WIC); considering parish initiatives to visit the sick.
- Walk with One Discussion led by Marty
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.
Step One: Identify someone in a spirit of humility- Members discussed people they identified or the prayer that they are undertaking to identify an individual and the importance that it be the work of the Holy Spirit.
- Round Robin:
Roger- Pass
Walt- Pass
Marty- Asking for prayers for Sharon Oberriter’s husband and for Marty’s father-in-law for a procedure.
Martha H.- Talked about the prayer group that prays the rosary on Tuesday nights at 5:30 pm in church.
Mary F- Questioned agenda items’ resolutions and will meet with Alice
Diane G- Went to see The Chosen at the theater and highly recommends it.
Diane B- Looking for someone to replace her as Secretary- Mary Farmer is interested.
Martha W- Pass
Alice- Will have another paint the church committee meeting in April once additional estimates have been obtained. Suggested a review of student membership on the council – this will be added to next month’s agenda.
Owen- Pass
Father Michael- fish dinner April 4, Author of a Catholic faith and Sportsmanship Book will come to present its material: should be an interesting topic for families with athletes. Encouraged participation in Holy Week Services. No news on bankruptcy. Evangelist article on parish consolidations- will mostly be in the urban areas as most of the rural areas have already consolidated (for example -3 priests are serving 10 worship sites in Wyndham area); Our parish is one of the few in the black.
- May Prayer Leader- Owen
- Closing prayer by Fr. Michael
- Meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm
Future PC meetings: May 1, Jun 5, Jul 3