Present at the November 8^th, 2001 meeting were Alex Bacon, Bob Ballengee, Arcangelo Bollella, John Erikson, Kristy Fasano, Sister Mary Rose Golden, Vincent Greco, Tom Lindgren, , Dorothy E. Mitchell, Ann O’Sullivan, Father John Quinn, Mary Ryan, Ann Silvestri, Barrie Watson, and Lynn Watson.

            Father Quinn led the Parish Council in Vespers.  He then outlined the agenda for the meeting which included reports by committee chairpersons, a Religious Education update, and announcements concerning St. Patrick’s annual Christmas party.

            Tom Lindgren updated the Parish Council on the parish’s C.Y.O. basketball activities.  There are 145 children enrolled in the program from grades three through eight.  Five high school students have joined those coaching the players.  The Rippowam Cisqua School has generously donated gym time to the team.

            Turning to the plans for the Parish Center, Tom informed the Parish Council that St. Patrick’s has retained Community Consulting Services for fundraising.  At the January meeting Tom will present a progress report on the results of the fundraising effort.

            Kristy Fasano told the Parish Council that twelve teens will attend the North Castle Hunger Banquet on November 15^th at Congregation B’nai Yisrael in Armonk.  The purpose of the Hunger Banquet is to foster a greater understanding of the problems of global hunger and povery along with motivating those in attendance to assist the poor.  St. Patrick’s will pay the reservation fee for any child in the parish who attends. The teens intend to sponsor a joint bake sale with the 7^th and 8^th graders after Masses on Saturday, November 17^th and Sunday, November 18^th to benefit local community service projects.  On that weekend the teens will also hold a Crafts Fair with the profits going to their India Project.  That project seeks to educate Indian girls who might otherwise be exploited.  Kristy noted that seventeen teens plan to attend the C.Y.O. Convention on the weekend of November30th - December 2^nd.

            Bob Ballengee reported that the Social Concerns Committee collected 42 bags of food and $204 in donations for the Food Pantry from St. Patrick’s during the last month.  During that period 15 bags of food were collected from the Food Emporium and the library.  The Education Drive, headed by Kathy O’Connell is progressing very well.  The Christmas project to collect presents for the patients at the Ruth Taylor Geriatric Center will continue through December 12^th.  The gift items for men that parishioners are encouraged to donate include sweatshirts and sweatpants, cologne and after shave lotion.  Ladies’ gift items include sweatpants, cologne and knee socks.  There will be a Christmas gift drive for the children of the inmates of the Bedford Hills Facility.  The Christmas wish list for the children consists of dolls, toys and board games, infant and toddler toys and books, and teenage items such as backpacks, books, and roller blades.

            Ann O’Sullivan reported that the Religious Education children are preparing for the Christmas Pageant and the December 9^th Town Choir performance.  She is grateful to Jennifer Weiss and the Parents’ Guild for their ongoing work for our holiday events.  Next, Ann turned to the issue of the attendance of the eighth graders at Sunday Mass.  After a discussion centering on the situation in which only 15 out of 60 eighth graders are routinely attending Sunday Mass, the Parish Council voted unanimously to require the eight grade students to sign in at Mass on Sunday.  The purpose of this procedure will be to verify that they are fulfilling their minimal responsibility as Catholics in preparation for Confirmation.

            Next, discussion focused on a dispute between St. Patrick’s and the architect, Alex Bacon, over payment of Alex’s architectural fees for the cancelled classroom extension project.  Alex informed the Parish Council that his fees have not been paid.  Neither the Archdiocese nor St. Patrick’s Finance Committee have returned his most recent calls.  He was particularly upset because an engineer to whom he had subcontracted a part of the project had been paid, while he had not been paid.  Alex requested the opportunity to meet with either the Archdiocese or the Finance Committee to explain his fees.  He noted that the Archdiocese considers his fees to be exorbitant.  Alex expressed the sentiment that he feels unwelcome at St. Patrick’s.

            Several members of the Parish Council complimented Alex on his professional presentations during the course of the classroom project planning phase.  Ann O’Sullivan told Alex that this situation had no bearing on the Religious Education program which his children attend.  She added that he and his family are a part of St. Patrick’s and are always welcome. It was decided that this matter be referred to the Finance Committee for prompt resolution, since the Parish Council has no jurisdiction in financial matters.

            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, January 10^th at 7:30 P.M.