PARISH COUNCIL OF ST. PATRICK IN ARMONK

MINUTES OF MEETING ON MARCH 15^th, 2001

     Father Quinn welcomed everyone and outlined the agenda for the meeting. The agenda included reports by committee chairpersons, updates on the annual St. Patrick's Day dinner dance, the status of tent events for the weekend of April 27th-29th, an evaluation of the parish, a review of the classroom extension project, and new business.

     Ann Silvestri led the Parish Council in Vespers.

     Joanne McMahon reported that eight teens from the Teen Life Group volunteered at the Blythedale Children's Hospital the last Sunday in February. At their March meeting, the teens nominated Jessica DiPietro and Anthony Pinto to be the C.Y.O. queen and king of St. Patrick's. Jessica and Anthony will compete against teens from other parishes for the countywide titles. For their next project the teens will visit patients at the Ruth Taylor Nursing Home.

     Father Quinn informed the Parish Council that the “Give and Let Live” Lenten project, which was co-sponsored by the Teen Life Group and the first grade parents, has been a great success. The sweaters that parishioners donated were gratefully received by the Highbridge Community Life Center. The patients at the North Central Bronx Medical Center very much appreciated the parish's donations of tapes, books and toys.

     Ann O'Sullivan reported that there are 83 students in the First Eucharist program. A total of 44 students are preparing for Confirmation. Enrollment in the Religious Education program is expanding, with 576 students registered in the program for next year.

     Bob Ballengee told the Parish Council that the Social Concerns Committee collected 31 bags of food and $183 in cash from St. Patrick's during the past 4 weeks for the Food Pantry. At the Food Emporium and library, 12 bags of food were donated. Surplus food was donated to St. Crispin's Mission. Bob noted that every Sunday in Lent is a Food Pantry collection Sunday. In addition, he mentioned that 9 members of the committee work at the Food Pantry. An ongoing committee project is the Education Drive, which benefits a needy school in the Bronx. A baby items drive for a center for unwed mothers is planned for the near future.

     Regarding social events, Father Quinn told the Parish Council that 343 tickets have been sold for the parish's annual St. Patrick's Day dinner dance, which will be the largest attendance ever at this very popular event. Turning next to tent events, Father Quinn noted that a tent will be set up on the lawn on the weekend of April 27th through April 29th to serve as the setting for three social events. The first event will be a C.Y.O. pizza party on Friday. This will be followed by the Blessing Cup Meal for St. Patrick's First Communicants on Saturday. On Sunday, a Mother's Day Preview breakfast will be served to the mothers of the parish by the fathers. The February 25th meeting with the Archdiocese regarding the evaluation of the parish proceeded on schedule. The Archdiocese requested a 5 year plan, and was pleased to learn that St. Patrick's already has such a plan in effect.

     Alex Bacon told the Parish Council that he is finalizing the paperwork with the Archdiocese for the classroom extension project. Next, Cardinal Egan will examine the architectural plans and budgets. By the end of the month, Alex expects the bid phase to be completed, with construction beginning shortly thereafter. On Monday, March 19th, members of the community involved in the building and/or construction trades are invited to a special meeting to discuss construction plans. Qualified subcontractors are welcome to bid on appropriate phases of the project and may donate back their fees to the parish, if they wish. The project is on schedule for occupancy in September.

     Regarding the proposed gym/social hall, Alex informed the Parish Council that the structure cannot be attached to the existing Church buildings. If attached, the proposed structure would be too tall in proportion to the Church to be esthetically pleasing. In addition, attaching the gym/social hall to the Church would bring it into close proximity with the neighbors, and would interfere with the septic fields.

     Father Quinn announced that St. Patrick's Director of Religious Education, Ann O'Sullivan, will take on the additional role of parochial assistant at St. Patrick's. As Director of Religious Education, Ann will mentor two coordinators. Mary Harnett, who currently works with Ann, will coordinate the Good Shepherd program, as well as grades 3-6. She will continue to be responsible for the parish Web Site. The second coordinator will coordinate the sacramental program for grades 1 and 2, along with grades 7 and 8. This coordinator will also assist in Baptismal Preparations and arrange for speakers at special events.

     The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Thursday, April 26th at 7:30 P.M.