st. john fisher - parish council minutes from …...the finance committee and kelly henderschedt...

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Parish Staff/Trustees Parish Council Other Attendees

Rev. Thomas Sas Ex-officio Dcn. John McKaig Gale Busemeyer (T) Doug Meyer (T) Non-voting Kathleen Filosa (DMM) Kelly Henderschedt (DRE) Jennifer O’Neill (DYM)

R √ √ √ R √ √

Barbara Meyer (P) Paulette Adams (VP) Haley Fox (Youth Rep) Nanette Frost Mary Hartman Anne Hooker Maura Masotti Gil Thompson Matt Wilson (S)

√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Nadia Bodey Jim Castellani Cheryl Egazarian Doug Thibodeau

R √ √ A

(T=Trustees) (P=President) (VP=Vice President) (S=Secretary) √=present R=regrets A=absent

I. CALL TO ORDER – PC President, Barbara Meyer 7:05 PM

II. OPENING PRAYER – Barbara Meyer

III. PARISHIONERS’ COMMENTS –

A letter was received from Siobhan Peng requesting that we examine the ramp on the south side of the sanctuary. Father was talking to Schadtle about it.

Paulette Adams said that the bathrooms were not up to par (e.g., rusty toilets, not enough TP, flickering fluorescent light).

Thanks were expressed to Jim Castellani for his work on Father’s 40th Anniversary reception.

IV. REVIEW MINUTES of January 19, 2016 – All Barbara Meyer motioned to accept, Nan Frost seconded.

V. PASTOR’S COMMENTS – Fr. Thomas Sas The Finance Committee and Kelly Henderschedt submitted the 2015 Annual Report and the 2016

Budget to the Archdiocese. The parish financial situation looks good, and we need to fund a new HVAC system, a new roof

for the church building, and paving the parking lot. Refer to the Pastor’s Report (Attachment 1) for additional details.

VI. DEACON’S COMMENTS – Deacon John McKaig

VII. COMMITTEE/MINISTRY REPORTS

PASTORAL CARE Bereavement Ministry –Maura Masotti

Had 1 attendee at last session. Planning Spring and Fall sessions (6 week blocks). Will be preparing booklet. Gill made cards for the vestibule (Attachment 2). There are some upcoming Wednesdays that have conflicts with other parish activities (e.g., April 13). The Fellowship Church, AHM, and Holy Family parish are also doing bereavement seminars. We can produce some text about the Bereavement Ministry for the Rivereast, and ask them to run it

for a time period. Refer to the Bereavement Ministry Report (Attachment 2) for additional details.

St. John Fisher - Parish Council Minutes from Meeting – March 8, 2016

(with Attachments 1 through 8)

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Christian Outreach Committee – Barbara Meyer 3 people made Lenten sandwiches, funded from “charity” account. The parish is providing dinner for St. Vincent de Paul on a Sunday in April. Additional monetary donations came in for the meal at the Immaculate Conception shelter on Super

Bowl Sunday. Need to send email “blasts” for sandwich nights and food drives. Food drives are the 2nd weekend of

each month. Sandwich-making is on the last Thursday of each month, except November and December.

In February parishioners participated in the Drive-up Café at the Congregational Church. The Drive-up Café is the last Sunday of each month. 10 people serve and then eat. Tickets are distributed at the Food Bank. The COC and confirmation class delivered meals to Florence Lord Housing.

Would like to get 7th and 8th graders to do food drives. Refer to attached Christian Outreach Committee Report (Attachment 2) for details on the Draft COC

Annual Plan and how it’s activities support Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. The COC Annual Plan may be inserted into the Parish Bulletin.

Comfort & Warmth Prayer Shawl Ministry

Doing well. Prayer Line – Kelly Henderschedt

Have 2 new people. LITURGICAL Altar Serving Ministry – Nadia Bodey

The Signup Genius web site to schedule altar servers is working well to identify needs and overlaps. Families serving as Eucharist ministers often sign up their children to do altar service at the same mass.

Eucharistic Ministry – Gil Thompson

There are many roles for Eucharistic Ministers beyond passing out the host. Received a nice thank you from the niece of a parishioner who had been receiving the host at home,

and who is now in a nursing home. Greeting Ministry –Kelly Henderschedt

More greeters are needed. Coordination of greeters with altar servers, lectors, and Eucharistic Ministers is complex task. Kelly

Henderschedt has to check availability and coordinate the ministries for 3-month periods. Liturgical Committee – Father Thomas Sas Lector Ministry – Music Ministry – Kathleen Filosa, DMM EDUCATION & FAITH DEVELOPMENT Faith Formation – Kelly Henderschedt, DRE

Consideration is being given on a “Faith Buddies” program modeling on the Marlborough Elementary School’s “Book Buddies” program that would, for example, pair 5th graders with 2nd graders, and 4th graders with 1st graders.

Soup for a Cause is March 13. Eight area restaurants have offered soup donations as well as our Home Town chefs. This is our 6th year with this event.

These second graders will participate in their Retreat to help them prepare for their First Holy Communion. This will be on March 19.

Refer to the Faith Formation Report (Attachment 4) for additional details. Youth Ministry – Jennifer O’Neil

Several confirmation students from parish participated in the Unified Basketball Special Olympics at Glastonbury High School.

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Teen nights are well attended. Book group had 2 Monday evening meetings discussing the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens to

help manage the stress of being a teenager, with an emphasis on accessing their faith. Upcoming events include a hike to Heublien tower, an evening of games and fun with parents, a

cookout, and bowling night. Four teens are going to the weekend-long Steubenville East retreat in July. A larger group may be

considered next year. Refer to Youth Ministry Report (Attachment 5) for additional details.

RCIA- Jim Castellani

Kelly Granatek completed the 2nd Phase of the RCIA process, The Catechumenate, and is now in the final preparation phase, Purification and Enlightenment.

She received the blessing of the parish during the Rite of Sending on February 13, 2016, and was presented to Archbishop Blair during the Rite of Election at the Cathedral of St. Joseph on February 14, 2016.

Entry into the Church and receipt of the Sacraments will occur during the Easter Vigil mass on March 26, 2016. A small social will follow mass.

Refer to the attached RCIA Report (Attachment 6) for additional details. ADMINISTRATIVE Finance Council – Gale Busemeyer

Refer to Pastor’s Report (Attachment 1) for news concerning 2015 annual report, 2016 annual budget, and future capital improvements.

Maintenance Committee – Father Thomas Sas or Doug Thibodeau

A dead tree needs to be removed. Refer to Pastor’s Report (Attachment 1) for news concerning maintenance and capital improvements.

Communications Committee – Cheryl Egazarian

Press has concerned Lenten activities. Upcoming press will include K of C pancake breakfast, Father’s 40th Anniversary of Ordination, and

(possible) Rock‐A-Thon photo. Flyers have included the Lenten Calendar, one promoting the teen ministry, and another promoting

the upcoming Easter egg hunt. Upcoming tasks include coordination with bereavement committee to discuss helping the promotion of

the program, working on a greeting ministry drive, and setting up Facebook page. Refer to attached Communications Report (Attachment 7) for additional details.

Web Ministry –

Content needed, especially photos. Please include captions with photos. Send photos and videos to drop box account.

Planning to assemble book of photos of parishioners to help people, especially new parishioners, to get to know each other.

Refer to attached report (Attachment 8) for usage statistics. PARISH LIFE Welcome Ministry –

No new developments. Social Committee – Cheryl Egazarian

Need new (preferably young) committee chair. Refer to attached Social Committee Report (Attachment 7).

Knights of Columbus – Jim Castellani

Will coordinate meal for St Vincent de Paul in October. Golf tournament is scheduled for Friday, May 6. Approximately 200 people attended breakfast. Donations to the Food Bank were collected.

Men’s Prayer Group –Peter Yorio, Mike O’Neil, or Jim Castellani.

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Women’s Faith Group – Kelly Henderschedt

VIII. OLD BUSINESS – Barbara Meyer May will be last meeting of this group. Barbara Meyer and Gil Thompson will be rotating off. Need to

fill openings, including a youth participant.

IX. NEW BUSINESS – Barbara Meyer

X. NEXT MEETING - Tuesday, September 13, 2016; ( 7:00-8:30 PM ) Email Committee Reports to Matt Wilson ([email protected]) by September 6, 2016

XI. ADJOURNMENT – 8:22 PM Motion to adjourn (Paulette Adams); 2nd (Maura Masotti).

XII. CLOSING PRAYER - Offered by Barbara Meyer.

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(Attachment 1) (submitted by Father Thomas Sas – March 8, 2016) (Page 1 of 1)

Pastor’s Report

The parish is very busy doing both the Corporal and Spiritual Works of mercy. We experienced them in so many ways through our celebration of Thanksgiving with food baskets for the hungry, preparing meals both in Marlborough and in Hartford. We've also have been fed during Advent by a day of reflection, in Lent pondering the parables of mercy, and in both seasons at Sunday afternoon's time of adoration. The Finance Committee (and Kelly [bravo!]) worked on our annual report for 2015 and 2016 budget and sent the completed forms to the archdiocese. Our financial report and situation look very good. Now it's time to keep the momentum going so that future projects, such as a new HVAC system, new roof for the church building, and paving of the parking lot, are funded. We are planning this year to install a new sound system in the church and side the rectory before the woodpeckers do any more damage. Sometimes it takes an outsider to point out what we so often take for granted. On two consecutive weekends I had visitors approach me and say how much life there is in our parish and how warm and friendly they found the community. I could only respond thank you but in my mind I thought, "Of course! That is what it means to be a community centered on Jesus Christ.

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(Attachment 2) (submitted by Maura Masotti, Bereavement Ministry Coordinator– March 2, 2016)

(Page 1 of 2)

Bereavement Ministry Update

We recently wrapped up our second 6-week session. Attendance was minimal with only one in attendance for a session. We will continue to offer this program for 6 week sessions continuing in the Spring and again next Fall. Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30 in the Church. In the meantime, we are concentrating on advertising and getting the word out. We will use the Rivereast, the website, bulletin and speaking during Mass. Gil has printed up some postcards that we would like to leave at the Church exits once we get the word out about the program. We are also working on a booklet/journal for participants to keep. This will give them a general outline of each session within the 6-week program, as well as a journal for reflections and writings. We still feel that registration should not be required, which makes planning a bit tricky. Our target audience is very small(thankfully) and we will continue to concentrate our efforts on making sure the community knows this resource is available when its needed.

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(Attachment 2, continued) (submitted by Maura Masotti, Bereavement Ministry Coordinator– March 2, 2016)

(Page 2 of 2)

Bereavement Ministry Update (continued)

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(Attachment 3) (submitted by Barbara Meyer, Christian Outreach Committee Coordinator– March 8, 2016)

(Page 1 of 3)

Christian Outreach Updates

Lenten Sandwich Making ~ held our annual Lenten sandwich making for the parish. Amazing how quickly three people can make 150+ sandwiches ~ with thanks to Jen O'Neill and Nadia Bodey for buying and cutting the 8 lbs of ham and to Alex Malenfant for his excellent sandwich making skills! Drive-Up Cafe ~ hosted the February Drive -Up Cafe at the Congregational Church. With thanks to 10+ volunteers and Confirmation candidates, the process went very smoothly. Enjoyed wonderful fellowship afterward and the collective efforts of both churches was great to experience.

Christian Outreach Committee 2016 Committee Plan - DRAFT

Our Mission: The Christian Outreach Committee (COC) of St. John Fisher Parish provides opportunities for parishioners to live their faith by showing mercy and care to others through activities supporting the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. In addition, we believe that along with the “doing”, there is a way of “being” that drives and inspires our day‐to‐day lives in a merciful way for the glory of God and all His people.

Corporal Works of Mercy Feed the hungry

Give drink to the thirsty

Clothe the naked

Welcome the stranger

Visit the sick

Ransom the captive

Bury the dead

Spiritual Works of Mercy Instruct the ignorant

Counsel the doubtful

Admonish sinners

Bear wrongs patiently

Forgive offenses willingly

Comfort the afflicted

Pray for the living and the dead

Activity

Works of Mercy Who is Supported Timing/ Frequency

Lead Contact(s)

Food Drive Feed the hungryGive drink to the

thirsty

Food Bank of Marlborough

Monthly D. WagnerLegault’s Meyer’s

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Activity


Lead Contact(s)

Sandwich Making

Feed the hungryGive drink to the

thirsty

St. Vincent dePaul Place, Middletown

Monthly D. MeyerJ. O’Neil

Thanksgiving Food Drive


thirsty


November N. Gianetti

Drive‐Up Cafe


thirsty


2x Annual 2016 – Feb and TBD

D. SawnB. Meyer

Sunday Dinner


thirsty

St. Vincent dePaul Place, Middletown

April 2016 2x Annual (Knights of Columbus)

P. Adams

Birthday Bags


thirsty Clothe the naked


4 months (Sept – Dec)

L. Legault

Cooking with Care


Parishioners at St. John Fisher

As Needed C. Beyerly

School Supplies & Backpack Drive



Students/Families at Marlborough Elementary

July – August

ML DixonB. Meyer

Senior Autumn Luncheon


thirsty Comfort the afflicted

Local Senior Citizens

October P. Adams

Christmas Giving Program



Marlborough Health Care

Catholic Worker (Htfd)

Immaculate Conception (Htfd)

Advent T. ParkerB. Meyer

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Activity


Lead Contact(s)

Christmas Cards


Pray for the living and the dead

Families of deceased loved

ones

Christmas S. Paradise

Time Together (NEW)

Visit the sick Marlborough Health Care Center

TBD

Sunday Dinner


thirsty Comfort the afflicted

Homeless men who are the patrons of

Immaculate Conception Shelter,

Hartford

1x Annually (Confir‐

mation class also does a

meal)

B. MeyerJ. O’Neil

Overall parish alignment with various works of mercy:

Parish Garden (feed the hungry) ~ SJF Gardening Committee Coat & Warm Clothing Drive (clothe the naked) ~ Knights of Columbus Welcome New Parishioners (welcome the stranger) ~ Welcome Ministry Eucharist at MHCC and to the Home-bound (visit the sick) ~ Eucharist

Ministers Hope Cards for the Incarcerated (ransom the captive) ~ Confirmation

Service Hours Bereavement Program (comfort the afflicted) ~ Bereavement Ministry Lazarus Ministry (bury the dead) ~ NEW Faith Formation, Adult Education, Bible Study, RCIA and Lending

Library (instruct the ignorant) Men’s and Women’s Prayer Groups (pray for the living and the dead) ~

Various Prayer Groups Prayer Shawls (comfort the afflicted) ~ Prayer Shawl Ministry

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(Attachment 4) (submitted by Kelly Henderschedt, Director Youth Ministry – March 2, 2016) (Page 1 of 1)

Faith Formation Report

Our program continues to move along wonderfully with enthusiastic children, teens and dedicated catechists. Here are some highlights: On February 6th, our 17 second graders celebrated First Reconciliation. We have one more Children’s Mass (March 13, our second grade community) Our 8th graders enjoyed an inspirational movie night last Friday. The movie was a

Christian film called Grace Unplugged. The 7th, 8th and 9th graders will be leading Stations of the Cross on various Fridays.

The 8th graders led last Friday and were incredibly reverent and prayerful. The Confirmation community continues to be actively involved in their monthly

gatherings where they’re diving into how the Gifts of the Holy Spirit can enrich their lives. They are discerning what Saint name to choose as their Confirmation name. These young adults are also actively involved in a variety of service projects (Jen O’Neill can address this in more detail.)

Soup for a Cause is March 13. Eight area restaurants have offered soup donations as well as our Home Town chefs. This is our 6th year with this event.

These second graders will participate in their Retreat to help them prepare for their First Holy Communion. This will be on March 19.

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(Attachment 5) (submitted by Jennifer O’Neil, Director Youth Ministry – March 7, 2016) (Page 1 of 1)

Youth Ministry Report

We continue to build the foundation of our youth ministry programs. We had a successful rock-a-thon event with twelve young men and women having a fun evening at the church. This month we had a quieter evening and the kids helped set up the tables and chairs for the parish wide celebration for Father Sas. In the coming months, we will be hiking Heublien, inviting parents to join us for an evening of games and fun and having a cookout and bowling night. I am continually awed and inspired by our young people and the depth of their prayers in our closing circle every month. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful teens in our midst!! We continue to start each meeting with small community projects such as filling Easter eggs for youth programs in the greater Hartford area, making no-sew blankets for A Hand Up and making cards for a local teenager who has been in the hospital. I am also excited to announce that I will be joining four young women of our parish at the Steubenville East retreat in July. We will be going to see if it is worthwhile to take a larger group next year. Our teen book club has begun and will continue to meet on Mondays while we discuss the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. We are exploring tools to help managing the stress of being a teenager, with an emphasis on accessing their faith as a tool in their basket.

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(Attachment 6) (submitted by Jim Castellani, RCIA Coordinator – March 5, 2016) (Page 1 of 1)

RCIA Report

Our “candidate,” Kelly Granatek has completed the 2nd Phase of the RCIA process, The Catechumenate. She received the blessing of the parish during the Rite of Sending on February 13, 2016 during the 4PM Vigil mass. Kelly was presented to Archbishop Blair during the Rite of Election at the Cathedral of St. Joseph on February 14, 2016, along with all the RCIA “catechumen ELECT” and “candidates from throughout the Archdiocese. It was a beautiful service with over 200 RCIA participants recognized. She is now in the final preparation phase, Purification and Enlightenment.” Kelly will be experiencing The Sacrament of Penance shortly. Her for entry into the Church and receipt of the Sacraments will occur during the Easter Vigil mass on March 26, 2016. A small social will follow mass. All PAC members are asked to participate. I request that all PAC members, ministry leaders and all parishioners reach out to any and all individuals who may be showing interest in entering the Church or returning to the Church. Thank you.

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(Attachment 7) (submitted by Cheryl Egazarian, Communications/Social Activities Committee – March 8, 2016)

(Page 1 of 1)

Communications Committee Report Keeping it simple. Press in Rivereast has included announcing Lenten activities, updating the STJF News & Notes to include the dates and times of weekly Lenten activities. We have also announced the upcoming STJF K of C golf tournament. Upcoming press to include: K of C pancake breakfast

Father’s 40th Anniversary of Ordination (Possible) Rock--‐A--‐Thon photo Any suggestions?

Flyers have included a few for the teen ministry, Lenten flyer with calendar and the upcoming easter egg hunt. Let me know if you need anything for upcoming events. To Dos right now:

get in touch with bereavement committee to discuss helping the promotion of the program

work on a greeting ministry drive – need more people set up Facebook

Social Committee Report

Nothing to report Need to work with Father and Kelly to “pass on” committee to young, fun generation and, most importantly, find a chair for the upcoming picnic in September

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(Attachment 8) (submitted by Gil Thompson, Web Ministry – February 29, 2016) (Page 1 of 1)

st. john fisher - parish council minutes from …...the finance committee and kelly henderschedt...

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