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.
April 9, 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, Raymond McGoldrick (Trustee), Martha Wilhelm, Al Tinger (Trustee)
Absent: Chrissy Blank (Faith Formation Director)
- Alice opened the Meeting at 7:09 pm due to technical difficulties. This was a Zoom meeting. Martha Harris is taking over the secretary role from Mary Farmer Effective this meeting.
- Opening Prayer was led by Austin Partridge: Reading was from first Peter Chapter 1 verses 3-9. Questions for discussion: How would you describe your Catholic journey? How do you manage the tightrope between joy and sorrow? How has your soul been tested on this journey of life? The Our Father was offered as the ending prayer.
- March Minutes were approved – Motion to approve Fr. Michael, seconded Marty; all approved.
- Walk with One Discussion (Marty)
Susan shared that she has a couple friends that are Hindu and Jewish and has had discussions with them about differences in their faith and Catholic faith. They were invited to the Easter Vigil but that did not work out, and she hopes to have them attend a weekend Mass. Marty shared that he attended Mass with his stepson while in Colorado. His stepson is connecting with a member of the parish in Colorado to talk about converting to Catholicism.
- Bankruptcy Update (Fr. Michael)
Nothing different reported than what was discussed at Mass. Diocese is waiting for the insurance companies to work through the settlement with the victims’ lawyers. We are also waiting for notice as to when the money needs to be sent to Albany.
- Cooperstown Center (Sharon, Alice)
Sharon, Alice, and Carole LaChance attended the April Family Council meeting. The Center sent a proposal to Father. Some of the requirements for volunteers include 3 hours orientation, health information, background check and fingerprinting (Cooperstown Center can pay for 10 volunteers), some vaccination requirements (may need to wear a mask if not vaccinated). These requirements are necessary for one to one visitation. If visits are in a group setting with a staff member present, these requirements do not apply. This may be a way to get started. Then individuals who would like to do one to one visitation can go through the requirements process.
The people currently bringing Holy Communion to the residents at the Center are not held to the above requirements because they are set up as a vendor. Also, as a visitor you don’t have to do that, and you can visit anyone one on one. The next Cooperstown Center Family Council meeting is May 6th at the Center.
- Ministries Recognition Day
A parish wide celebration of thanks is being planned for all the parishioners who participate in the many ministries of the parish. Father Michael met with Upstate Grill. They cannot accommodate the number of people we will have. Father also discussed with Brian at Mel’s. Brian is able to set up, serve, and clean up in the Parish Hall. There is concern that if we use Parish Hall, the Social Committee would be involved.
Templeton Hall was brought up but may be too small. Fenimore Farm has a room for events, and The Otesaga was also mentioned. Diane Butz will check on Fenimore Farm, and Marty will check on The Otesaga. Timing: May or June before vacations in the summertime, preferably before Memorial Day if possible. The event would be a couple of hours in duration with a lunch or dinner sit down meal, to be held an evening during the week or weekend. 120-130 attendees are anticipated and will include ministry participants only, no guests.
- Ministries Fair Planning
The last Ministry Fair was held in September of 2023. Alice has the files from the last fair.
Alice asked for confirmation that we want to do this. The last one was successful with 28 new participates and many others joined additional ministries. After that fair we had 155 people participating in 300 roles across all ministries. Father Michael thought it was worthwhile, and Diane G commented that it helped her ministry. Alice requested 3 people to help with planning. Martha W, Diane G, and Sharon K volunteered. Alice will share files she has with them. With the Parish Picnic on the weekend after Labor Day, the weekend of the 19th of September was chosen for this year’s Ministry Fair. The fair will be held after each Mass for an hour or so in the Parish Hall. A representative from each ministry would be asked to be there at each session.
- Ministry Annual Reports
Alice asked if we should continue the annual reports this year. Father Michael thought is a good thing to do and gives us a sense of what is going on with the ministries and whether they need anything from us. Last year we heard from the Altar Guild, Mary’s Messengers, Prayerfully Made, Social Justice, Social & Hospitality, Food Insecurity, Respect for Life and the Garden ministries. Father said we did not need to have Food Insecurity as we have the 2 food drives which are well publicized. Alice will reach out to the leaders and arrange for reports in May, June, and July.
- Round Robin
Mary Farmer – Thanked Martha H. for taking over secretary and commented how the Lenten season, the speaker, and services were well done.
Roger – Thanked Mary F for the work she did.
Marty – Wondered about the parish doing programs like Bible in a year. If there is an interest, the details could be worked out. Father commented that doing a couple sessions 8 or 9 weeks at a time has been most successful. Longer ones in the past have had the attendance dwindle. Diane B asked if the women group still meets and how long they last. They are on a hiatus. Next one will be on Mary and is about 8 weeks. The studies have varied in length.
Austin – Sorry about the technical difficulties and thank you for the input in the discussion.
Father Michael – Asked about paint the church. Alice got back the latest rendition. She will pull together a paint the church meeting in the next couple of weeks. Father asked about the pricing. It ranges from $88000 to $119000. He also indicated that we have not yet heard when settlement payment is due to the Diocese, but he has been talking with our portfolio manager in preparation. Holy week: Father was pleased with attendance for Easter Triduum. There were 200 for Noon Mass Easter Sunday and the Easter Vigil was well attended. Attendance at Stations of the Cross on Good Friday was so high we ran out of booklets. More booklets have been ordered to prevent that from happening again. Back to the volunteer appreciation dinner or lunch, Father is looking for input. He will talk to Brian about set up and clean up so Social Committee does not have to be involved. Father wants no parish people working for this event. No spouses will be invited – just the people in the ministries. Alice will talk to Edna to see what concerns she has that could be addressed to ensure the Social Committee does not feel the need to get involved. Roger says in his experience, Brian can do everything. Consensus of council is Parish Hall for the location. Father Michael asked that we still look at Fenimore Farm and The Otesaga
All other members present passed.
Two closing comments from members:
Mary Farmer – Kudos to parish council for pulling off the high-tech meeting.
Diane B. – Thanked Father for taking time out of his retreat for the meeting
- May Prayer Leader: Owen Kennedy
- Closing prayer by Fr. Michael
- Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm
Future PC meetings: May 7, June 4, July 2