PARISH
COUNCIL OF ST. PATRICK'S IN ARMONK
MINUTES
OF MEETING ON APRIL 10th,
2003 A.D.
Father Quinn welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Ann Silvestri led the Parish Council in the Evening Prayer.
Father Quinn introduced David Wade, of Church Family Albums, a division
of PCA International. If St.
Patrick’s accepts their proposal for a church family album we would need
volunteers to assist in the layout of a 8 1/2” x 11” pictorial directory
consisting of activity pages, a family section, and a name roster.
Sign up for photography appointments would be before and after weekend
Masses for 4 consecutive weeks. If
we provide volunteers at the sign up tables, that commitment would yield a 50%
discount on packages. PCA would
remind people of their appointments and greet them at the photography sessions
at St. Patrick’s. Photography
would take 2 weeks. Each participating family would receive a free portrait and
a free pictorial directory. Discussion
on this proposal will take place at the next meeting.
The Parish Council upheld its recommendation to defer until May 2004 the
Confirmation of 4 students, who have not been attending Sunday and Holyday
Masses. Their Confirmation will be
contingent upon attendance at Sunday and Holyday Mass through that date and
completion of this year’s studies. That
concluded the Parish Council’s discussion on this topic.
A discussion followed on insuring compliance with the Confirmation
Covenant. Recommendations included
weekly reminders in class and monthly intervention when needed.
Suggestions were made that parents be informed of noncompliance by both
registered mail, return receipt requested and a follow up phone call.
It was suggested that the Parish Council develop a process for hearing
issues brought forward by parents and other parishioners.
John Tartaglia distributed a policy statement outlining his views on the
conduct, attitude, academics and maturity to be expected of students in the
religious education program. In his
statement he further proposed the formation of a committee to develop and
implement a specific behavior code. It
was suggested that those interested in forming such a committee schedule a
meeting and then report back to the Parish Council at its next meeting.
Joe Looney informed the Parish Council that the foundation is being
poured for the Parish Center, the steel has been delivered, and 600 yards of
rubbish found buried in the site have been carted away.
Workers who have an issue with European Masonry, the company responsible
for pouring the foundation, have been picketing the driveway entrance to the
Church. European Masonry was chosen for price considerations and for their
ability to meet construction deadlines. Father
Quinn noted that the question of union vs. nonunion had been addressed at the
beginning of the project. Joe
estimates the completion date for the project will be September/ October 2003.
Father Quinn thanked Joe and the Building Committee for their dedication.
Bob Ballengee thanked the parish on behalf of the Social Concerns
Committee for its generosity to the Food Pantry.
A men’s clothing and toiletries drive is planned for the end of May to
benefit Holy Innocents’ quarterly Midnight Run.
There will be a clothing and kitchen utensils drive for the St. Vincent
de Paul Society from late June through early July.
Father Quinn indicated that the vestibule of the Church will become a
devotional space with the newly installed statues of the Blessed Mother and St.
Joseph to be joined by electric candles during the Easter season. Collections for drives will be held at another location.
Joanne Mc Mahon reported that a number of teens will serve as greeters at
the Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday Masses. The
Bottle Tab Drive to benefit Ronald McDonald House is still in progress.
Teen Life has donated $1,000 to that cause.
Future plans include the C.Y.O. Coronation Ball on May 3rd at
the Tarrytown Hilton, a visit to patients at Blythedale Children’s Hospital on
May 10th, and C.Y.O. Day at Blair Lodge on May 18th.
Joanne congratulated Teen Life’s Secretary, Jessica Mosca on her
election as Westchester County C.Y.O. Secretary and thanked outgoing Westchester
County C.Y.O. President Christopher Fasano for his fine work.
Pat Cummings noted that Respect Life will recite the Rosary for Life
every Sunday in May. The Blessing
of New and Expectant Parents is scheduled for Sunday, May 4th.
Ann O’Sullivan reported that the April 2nd Petition Dinner
for the eighth grade Confirmation candidates and their parents was a great
success. The Parish Council
commended Father Quinn, Ann, speakers Maureen Lindgren and Vince Greco, the
parents group and Lynn and Barrie Watson who decorated the basement, all
volunteers, and the caterers on a superb job.
Present at the April 10th, 2003 A.D. meeting were Ann
Silvestri, William Wiegand, Christian Wiegand, Adelaida Wiegand, Corinne
Strianese, Ed Strianese, Bob Ballengee, Barrie Watson, Lynn Watson, Sister Mary
Rose Golden, John Erickson, John A. Tartaglia, Thomas E. Stuetz, Stephen F.
Fischer, Nina Pavone, Ann O’Sullivan, Father John Quinn, Vincent Greco, Pat
Cummings, Maureen Lindgren, Joanne Mc Mahon, Joe Looney, and David Wade.
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Thursday, May 8th
at 7:30 P.M.