PARISH COUNCIL OF ST. PATRICK'S IN ARMONK

MEETING ON  OCTOBER 11^th,  2001

            Present at the October 11^th, 2001 meeting were Bob Ballengee, Arcangelo Bollella, Pat Cummings, Thomas D’Agostino, John Erikson, Sister Mary Rose Golden, Mary Lou Greco, Vincent Greco, Tom Lindgren, Louise Mantini, Joanne McMahon, Dorothy E. Mitchell, Ann O’Sullivan, Father John Quinn, Sheelagh Rabo, Mary Ryan, Ann Silvestri, Barrie Watson, and Lynn Watson.

            Father Quinn thanked everyone for coming to the Parish Council meeting which was held immediately after a Month’s Mind Mass for the victims of the World Trade Center tragedy.  He then outlined the agenda for the meeting which included reports by committee chairpersons, a Building Project update, and new business.

            Father Quinn thanked both Beth Yaroscak and Judi Hefferon for chairing the Events in the Tent on the last weekend in September.  Beth chaired the September 29^th Parish Pray-in for the victims of the terrorist attacks and Judi headed the cocktail reception for the Capital Building Campaign on September 30^th.  Additionally, Father Quinn expressed his thanks to all who worked on those two highly successful events.

            Bob Ballengee reported that the Social Concerns Committee collected 209 bags of food and $1,200 in donations for the Food Pantry from St. Patrick’s during the last 5 months.  During that period 82 bags of food and 50 cases of Passover Food were collected from the Food Emporium, while 11 bags of food were collected at the library.  The Parish Council thanked the parishioner of St. Patrick’s who has been President of the Food Pantry for 4 consecutive years along with the 9 St. Patrick’s volunteers who work at the Food Pantry.  Regarding other Social Concerns projects, the Education Drive, headed by Kathy O’Connell is making good progress.  Two proposed Christmas projects are drives to collect presents for the patients at the Ruth Taylor Geriatric Center and the children of prisoners at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility.

            Joanne McMahon informed the Parish Council that 30 teens are participating in the Teen Life Group.  Twelve teens will join in the October 13^th Birthright walk for which $900 has been pledged. In November they will visit patients at the Ruth Taylor Geriatric Center and attend an Ecumenical service.  Nineteen teens plan to attend the C.Y.O. Convention on the weekend of November30th - December 2^nd.  The teens intend to sponsor a joint bake sale with the 7^th and 8^th graders to benefit a needy family at Christmas. Father Quinn thanked the teens for their help with the September 29^th Pray-in that was held in the tent.  Mary Ryan noted that the Teen Life group will sell Advent Candles on the weekend of November 17^th-18^th.

            Pat Cummings reported that the Respect Life Society recites the Rosary before the 10:30 A.M. Mass on the first Sunday of each month and every Sunday in October and May.  On October 7^th the Society held the Blessing of Expectant Parents for 15 couples.  On Sunday, October 14th, Respect Life will participate in The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program.  On Sunday, October 21^st immediately following the 10:30 A.M. Mass Sister Antonia McGuire will speak on the topic of Prisoners as People.  On the last weekend in October a drive will be held to raise funds for the people in Haiti.

            Ann O’Sullivan reported that close to 560 children are registered for the fall semester of the Religious Education program with more still enrolling.  The new classrooms have made scheduling much easier and are being put to good use.  Starting October 18^th and continuing for 5 consecutive Fridays, St. Patrick’s will conduct a Religious Education program for teenagers entitled “Teen Twilight Theological Table Talk.”  The sessions will run from 5:30 P.M. until 6:30 P.M.  Pizza will be served.

            Tom Lindgren told the Parish Council that over 220 people attended the September 30^th Cocktail Reception which commenced the Capital Building Campaign.  Everyone enjoyed the party and showed great enthusiasm for the project.  Now the Fundraising Committee for St. Patrick’s Building Fund has entered Phase 2 of the campaign, which is accepting pledges from people over a 3 year period of time.  Next, Tom presented 3 exhibits depicting different renderings of the proposed Parish Center.  The first exhibit was a site plan in which the Parish Center and grounds were drawn to scale in a topographical setting.  The second exhibit was a floor plan in which the architect sketched the basic layout.  The third plan, entitled  “Exterior Images” consisted of a pictorial rendering in color of the Parish Center. 

            C.Y.O. basketball practice will start in the beginning of November.  Enrollment has increased to 145 children from grades three through eight.  Twelve teams have been formed.  There are 3 girls’ teams this year represented by students from the fourth through seventh grades.

            Father Quinn informed the Parish Council that Bishop Mestice will bless our new cross on Sunday November 25^th, the Feast of Christ the King, following the 10:30 A. M. Mass.

            The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Thursday, November 8^th at 7:30 P.M.