Minutes

Parish Pastoral Council Meeting

November 7, 2007

Jim Lee called the Parish Pastoral Council meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on November 7, 2007 in the Church Social Hall.  Bill Strassburg led the group in prayer.

 In Attendance:

 Council Members:   Hilarie Hicks, Jim Lee, Vicky Shabbott, Mary Ann Cronin, Bill Strasburg,  Joe Shabbott, Al Vela and Beverly Sabourin-Moore

Ex-Officio Members:  Father Jim Cowles, Arnold Nye

 Staff:  Nadine McGrady

 Guests:  Pat Snyder of the Financial Committee

 Absent:

 Council Members Excused:  Linda Deptola, Jim Novotny

 Council Members Not Excused: 

 Approval of Minutes:

Vicky Shabbott made a motion to approve the October 3, 2007 minutes as presented with some minor corrections.  Seconded by Mary Ann Cronin.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 Committee Reports:  Knights of Columbus:  See attached report.

 Unfinished Business:  Pat Snyder from the financial committee gave a report to the parish council regarding the purchase of property to be designated as the new rectory.  Pat Snyder’s report is attached for review.  Some concerns presented by the parish council regarding the purchase of the property and the sale of the old rectory and new parking lot located across the street from the church are:

Arnold Nye asked if the new parking lot would go on the market for sale in conjunction with the old rectory and if so he raised concerns about doing this before existing questions have been answered regarding an expansion of the existing parking lot on the main church property because of concerns presented at an earlier investigation into an expansion.

Jim Lee asked how the parish council wants to convey the information about the purchase of the new rectory to the parish.  Jim Lee stated that this purchase puts the original plan back on track.

 New Business:   Jim Lee, the planning committee chair, updated the parish council regarding its progress since the last meeting.  Jim Lee stated that an architect firm has been hired.  The planning committee has a meeting scheduled for November 16, 2007 to identify members of the parish to form 4 or 5 focus groups to get the parish involved in this undertaking and meet with the architects.

Other Business Items from Council Members:

Vicky Shabbott discussed the Pictorial Directory stating that we have made tremendous progress in appointment signups and at this time we have filled 2 full appointment days.

 Pastor Comments:  Father Jim stated that we need to have a coordinator for volunteer ministries.  This person would hold all of this together.  He stated that this is becoming a trend in the church.

Father Jim also stated that Terry Stone is interested in getting the training to become the youth minister. 

Father Jim discussed issues raised at the Eastern Vicariate Strategic Planning Committee meeting held in Hampton on October 20, 2007.  He stated that this is a long range plan.  In 3 to 5 years we will see a decline in Priests for our diocese.  We are part of the local planning area 6.  We will be going back to our roots with Mathews and Middlesex.  This should happen in approximately 3 years.  Father Jim stated that the mass schedule may create a problem. 

Announcements:  The next Parish Council meeting will be on December 5, 2007.  This meeting will be a potluck in the new rectory.  Meeting time will be 6:00 p.m.  Spouses and staff are invited.  Everyone is to bring a covered dish.

Closing Prayer:

The meeting closed with a prayer given by Beverly Sabourin-Moore.

 Respectfully submitted:

 Vicky Shabbott, Secretary