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)                         Susan Snelson (susangengenbach@yahoo.com)

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

Roger Davidson (davidsonrh@aol.com)                             Sharon Kroker (skrokervt@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.

June 4, 2026 Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Father Michael Cambi, Alice Perkins (Chair), Diane Butz, Roger Davidson, Mary Farmer, Martha Harris (Secretary), Owen Kennedy, Sharon Kroker, Diane Grigoli, Marty Rosenthal, Susan Snelson, Martha Wilhelm, Al Tinger (Trustee)               

Absent: Chrissy Blank (Faith Formation Director), Raymond McGoldrick (Trustee), Austin Partridge,

1. Alice opened the Meeting at 7:00 pm
2. Opening Prayer (Alice)

Gospel for June 7 Sunday was used (John 6:51-58).  Personal reflections were shared about receiving the Eucharist or how that has changed as personal faith has grown and deepened.

3. Approval of May Minutes (All)

Martha Wilhelm motioned to approve. Father Michael seconded. All approved.

4. Ministry Annual Reports
   1. Bereavement (Laura Bliss Lamb)
      1. Laura is the new Bereavement ministry leader and was accompanied by previous leader, Gayle Smith. The Bereavement ministry’s main mission is supporting the family and providing what they need, concentrating on the program and luncheon for funerals. Laura gave information about their routine, procedures, successes and challenges and plans for the next year.
      2. There are 5 roles on the committee: Coordinator, Kitchen Coordinator, Food Solicitor. Kitchen Crew, and Food Volunteers. The process begins with a notification from Fr Michael to the Coordinator. Father makes initial contact with the family and asks if a luncheon is desired.
      3. The program is the first step. There are 2 templates, one for a casket and one for cremation. The funeral director is contacted to get an estimate of attendees, and the director is informed of the cantor and organist names.
      4. Second step is to prepare for the luncheon which has a set menu (chicken legs, baked ham, rolls, tossed salad, fruit salad, punch, coffee, tea and water). The ministry contacts Kitty to be sure the hall is free and Sal to set it up.
      5. On the day of the funeral, procedures and checklists are followed. After lunch they are responsible for cleanup. Leftovers are offered to the family. Thank you notes are sent for any donations.
      6. From May 2025 to May 2026 there were 7 luncheons ranging from 26 to 140 people. The ministry needs to recruit more volunteers, especially during the winter months.
      7. Over the next 12 months they will have a debrief on their processes to identify what is working and what is not. They are looking for a backup person and succession planning for the next coordinator.
      8. They plan to provide the parish office with a copy of their protocols. Finally, they are planning a meeting with the social committee to discuss ways to keep the kitchen clean.
   2. Social Justice (Jeff Woeppel)-
      1. 1. There are 3 areas of mission in the Social Justice ministry:1- corporal works of mercy. 2- stewardship of the earth. 3-legislative activity. On 2 occasions they have advised folks of legislation and provided legislator contact information.
         2. They support and track activities and needs for the Angel Network – they have made donations and monitor for other ways to help (Angel Network takes care of needs of low-income or disadvantaged students in the Cooperstown school district), the Otsego Coalition of Refugee Resettlement, our food drives and nursing home ministry.
         3. Social Justice also holds meetings with individual parishioners. This originated from a committee formed to relate in an ecumenical sense with other denominations in the community and collectivize efforts for a stronger voice where needed and when in agreement. As a result of a proposal by Reverend Lambert to offer training for one-on-one meetings with parishioners, 5 Social Justice members were trained. Qne to one meetings with parishioners are 30-45 minutes in duration with the objective of hearing parishioners’ thoughts about social justice and to share what the ministry is doing. 
         4. With regard to environment, lake health problems were noted. The Otsego Lake Association is asking people to take a pledge to keep the lake healthy. There is also the Lions Club annual clean the river coming up later this month.
         5. Social Justice currently has 8 or 9 members and would like to add 2 or 3 more.

 3. Respect for Life (Diane Grigoli)

1. 1. In the past Respect Life had supported New Life Maternity Shelter in Hudson. There is a new maternity shelter, Refuge Pregnancy Care Shelter in Cobleskill opening this month and they need everything. This shelter has a baby boutique for mothers to pick out what they need.
   2. The next Respect Life collection will include all baby items, not just diapers. Members of the ministry would like to visit the shelter.
   3. This ministry has 4 members and needs more volunteers.
   4. Diane spoke to Chrissy about a potential Sister of Life speaker. Chrissy had already initiated that, and hopefully this year it will happen.
   5. Respect Life will host lemonade on the lawn on August 9^th.  They will also be setting out a donation box and new totes with a new image for those donating. 
   6. Respect Life recently set up the book shelf with soft books and other children’s books for families to use during Mass, and they are being used.

5. Walk with One Discussion and Outreach to the Parish (Marty, Roger)
   1. Shared experiences: Diane B. shared that her neighbor signed up again for adoration on her own. She is sharing her faith with her family. Her son is helping teach her grandchildren about God and the faith. She is attending Mass and has brought her husband.
   2. Outreach to the parish: Marty and Roger shared a summary of their discussion which included putting bits in the bulletin and hosting a monthly meeting to discuss the program for those interested. Marty and Roger would facilitate the meetings. Father Michael requested a one-page description to put out in the church.  Marty and Roger will work on that task.
6. Cooperstown Center Visitation Ministry (Fr Michael)

20 people signed up for the ministry including Father. 4 decided not to do it and 4 have submitted paperwork.  Father and Marge Landers are being trained Friday, and Sharon and Alice are being fingerprinted next week. Father sent out a reminder email to those who have not turned in paperwork to complete the paperwork, if they are still interested.

7. Ministry Fair Planning Update (Diane G, Martha W, Sharon)

Sharon has letters ready to be sent to ministry leaders and was waiting until after tonight’s meeting to send. The committee will supply the tables and tablecloths.   The ministry leaders will need to bring any ministry specific materials and supply a representative to be at the table. The committee will supply refreshments and may want help from the council.

8. Paint the Church Update (Alice)

Alice brought renderings to show us. The interior decorator will be here next week to look at the church and give recommendations.  There is one more rendering that we paid for due to us from Egan.

9. PC Member Terms Expiring

Austin is term is ending. Diane will stay on. Owen will discuss with Father.

10. Round Robin
    1. Diane Butz- Fr Michael met with Fr Francis Amodio, O Carm (Ancient Order of Carmelites), who serves as the Provincial Delegate for the Lay Carmelites. Permission was received to start a community based at St Mary’s, if there is interest. Diane will be handing out brochures, putting an ad in the bulletin, and reaching out to the surrounding parishes for interest.
    2. Al Tinger– shared a story about his worry for his son who had a concert tonight. Al said a rosary and got in his car to run an errand when a song by his son came on. He got the feeling it is all up to God and he immediately stopped worrying.
    3. Owen Kennedy- his wife, Mary Kay, leads the Seven Sisters Apostolate which is 7 women each praying an hour on a different day of the week for Father Michael. There are 13 substitutes.  She would like to set up a second group to pray for priests in crisis. Martha H asked if Mary Kay would like to be part of the ministry fair. Owen will check with her.
    4. Father Michael– Announced the opening of the Holy Hall of Fame next week. Chrissy created this in the upstairs hallway. Pictures of the Saints, with a QR code to learn more, line the hallway. 24-hour adoration set for June 5-6 and a few slots need a second person. Nothing new on the bankruptcy. We may have to submit money to the Diocese early to enable them to set up one account and write one check when the time comes for payment. Father said the financial planner at Wells Fargo is looking for opportunities to realize gains in our investments and put them into liquid investments. The Diocesan Appeal is still $9,000 short. Father is talking about it at the weekend masses.
    5. All other members passed.
11. Identify July Prayer Leader: Father Michael
12. Closing prayer (Fr. Michael)

US Conference of catholic bishops put out a novena to the sacred heart and this was one of the closing prayers.

Meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm            Future PC meetings: Jul 2, Sep 3, Oct 1