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.

May 7, 2026 Meeting Minutes

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

Absent: Chrissy Blank (Faith Formation Director), Raymond McGoldrick (Trustee) Al Tinger (Trustee)

1. Alice opened the Meeting at 7:00 pm
2. Opening Prayer was led by Owen Kennedy.

Reading was from this Sunday’s gospel John 14:15-21

Questions for reflection were. Where might Jesus be calling us to grow in love and obedience?  What parts of our life do we need to unite with our supernatural vocation?

3. April Minutes were approved – Motion to approve, Diane Grigoli; seconded Susan Snelson; all approved.
4. Ministry Annual Reports
   3. Social & Hospitality (Edna Chase) Edna gave a synopsis of the events from 2025 and the events scheduled for the rest of 2026. Attendance has improved at the events. St Patrick’s dinner had 120 sign up with 115 attending. Hospitality asks should they cap at 125 for next year, and there will be discussions about that through out this year. Father has given permission for the Garland oven and the hood in the kitchen to be professionally cleaned. It will be done May 9^th. The built-in ovens need to be cleaned but can be done easily. The upper door on the built in does not close tightly. Edna has a lead on someone that can fix it and will let Father know when that happens. Social committee and bereavement will be meeting to be sure the kitchen is clean and the refrigerator is organized. Alice and Mary both complimented Edna on her work with this committee and her ability to lead and delegate tasks. Edna says they need more help with clean up.         
   4. Altar Guild, Mary’s Messenger, Prayerfully Made (Martha H)
      3. Sanctuary for liturgical seasons. Martha H and Carole LaChance are working together on preparing the sanctuary for the liturgical seasons and celebrations.
      4. Church linens – There are 6 members. Patricia MacLeish is the leader and does the schedule for this ministry.
      5. Weekly Cleaning of the sanctuary – Currently 9 members. Carole LaChance does the schedule for this. No need for new members currently.
      6. Mary’s messengers – Currently 2 members sending cards to 6 people.
      7. Prayerfully made – Currently 30 members 12 attend weekly. For 2025 they made 286 pieces including baby sweater sets, baby blankets, adult blankets, hats, scarves, and mittens. Carole asked about having help delivering items to Bassett obstetrics.  Diane Grigoli and Martha Wilhelm will volunteer to take items.

5. Walk with One Discussion (Marty, All)

Diane Butz’s neighbor signed up for adoration on her own. Martha Wilhelm shared that her daughter got her husband to attend Mass last weekend. Owen heard that a student in his class would attend twice a week if he could. Diane G. had 3 Jehovah’s Witness visitors to her house. She asked them if they knew about theological virtues.  During orientation for new staff at work Marty offers help on integrating into life in the area including any information about churches in the area.

Martha Harris asked about bringing this to the larger church. Marty agreed and we had a discussion. Father brought up that he would like more clarity to the steps. Alice talked about putting walk with one on the bulletin or setting up a discussion during faith formation classes.  Marty will be willing to lead a discussion for the parish about walk with one.  Roger suggested baby steps start with having parishioners, that is, suggesting to start talking about praying for and inviting people to think about people in their lives that could be invited to the faith.  Marty and Roger will put something together and have Father review.

6. Cooperstown Center (Father Michael, Sharon, Alice)

19 people are interested in this ministry. The Center will be sending Father applications that he will share with all who signed up. Cooperstown Center is happy about this. 

7. Ministries Recognition Day Planning Update (Father Michael)

Recognition dinner is scheduled for June 11^th 6 pm in the hall. Mels is catering. Chicken parm, rigatoni, green beans, salad, desert, coffee, and tea will be offered.  Sign-ups will be out this weekend. Alice suggested reaching out to leaders of ministries to let their people know.

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

The fair will take place the weekend of September 19^th after each mass for an hour. They have met once and will meet one more time before September. Martha H asked if any ministries have been added since last one. Cooperstown Center will be added.

9. Paint the Church Update (Alice) The committee met and felt the last rendering was still not what they wanted. We will be able to get one more. The company asked if we had someone with an artistic background on the committee. Martha W. asked if we could see the renderings. Alice will try to bring something to the next meeting. They also discussed finding a local interior designer or using AI to look at the church and make suggestions.

10. Trustee Nominees (Fr. Michael)

Dr. McGoldrick has reached his maximum number of 1-years terms which is 6. Dr. Tinger is not here for 6 months out of the year.  Father Michael is going to reach out to Michael LaChance and Mark Harmon as replacements. Father wanted to check with the council before reaching out to them. A couple members asked if any women were considered for the trustee position. It was also asked what do trustees do? Father answered that they are part of the corporation. All parishes are their own corporation in NYS, and the Bishop is the President, the Vicor General is the Vice President, Father is the Secretary, and there are 2 lay trustees who make up the board. The trustees are also members of the finance committee. They help Father make important decisions on parish life and ministry and are signatories on checks made out to Father Michael. They have an annual meeting and terms are 1 year renewable up to 5 times.

11. Round Robin

 Martha H. Brought up the greeting ministry and lector schedules and asked about scheduling coordination since some parishioners serve in both ministries. Marty (lectors and eucharist ministers) Sharon (greeters) both schedule 2 months at a time for their ministry.  They reach out to their volunteers to ask for availability. There are a couple people that participate in both ministries.  Marty and Sharon will communicate to see if they can coordinate scheduling of those people going forward.

Diane G. asked how Luke Aquaviva was doing from his surgery. Father said he made it through the surgery he and went home on Thursday. The tumor was bigger than what showed on the scan but they were able to remove it. He has not heard anything more.

Austin is starting field school.  He will be in a lab for our next meeting and will not be able to attend.

Diane B asked if all parishioners were included in the photos on the parish hall wall and wondered if some were removed. Some have fallen down, and Father removed a couple of people that are no longer parishioners.  It was asked if we are still adding pictures, and if we add new parishioners’ pictures. We don’t. It was asked if we had new parishioners and if they are they filling out the forms, noting that we have not had any new parishioner meetings. Father said there are new parishioners, they are filling out the forms, but he has not set up the meetings.

Owen expressed concern about people politicking at parish events.  Owen was approached at a parish event and asked to sign a petition for a politician. He felt that was not appropriate. Other members agreed. John Acquaviva’s presentation was awesome and wished more kids were there. Asked if we could have him back maybe to speak during faith formation. Father said faith formation families were specifically invited by Chrissy several times. A parishioner commented on how great it is to have the church unlocked 24×7 and had seen people coming in and out at all times of day.  A parishioner asked Owen about the legitimacy of eucharist ministers blessing children and also about what eucharistic ministers are trained to do when someone does not consume the Host. Father will send out a communication to the eucharistic ministers clarifying both. Father said eucharistic ministers cannot do the blessing the same way he does.  Anyone can do an informal blessing by making the sign of the cross on the person’s forehead or lying a hand on a person’s shoulder and saying “God bless you”.

Father Michael 24-hour adoration will take place again the 1^st weekend of June but not in July or August.  There is a wedding the first Saturday of July, and he will be away in August. Nothing new on the diocesan bankruptcy.  It is estimated we will have to come up with the money in 6 to 12 months. Once the diocese says they need the money, it will need to be a quick transfer.  Father is working with our finance person at Wells Fargo to start moving money to more liquid assets as opportunity arises to be sure the money will be available when needed. Confirmation is Wednesday May 13 with 9 candidates to be confirmed.  Bishop Mark will be here, and a dinner will be held afterward for the confirmed and their families. All are welcome to the Mass at 6pm.  Ascension of the Lord is a holy day of obligation, and masses will be offered on the Thursday the 14^th at Noon and 7 PM.

12. June Prayer Leader is Alice and Martha W will do September.
13. Closing prayer by Fr. Michael

Meeting adjourned at 8:18 PM

 Future PC meetings: Jun 4, Jul 2, Sep 3 (discernment of new members in August, date TBD)