Holy Name of Mary

Members Attending:
Rev. Brian Brennan, Rev. Nelson Couto, Debi Braddick, Andy Mulhall Jr., Louise Bartoli, Frank Burrows, Mario Caraballo, Cheryl Comitto, Tom Condon, Richard Corvinus, Joe Costanzo, Frank DeBlasi, Connie Derbabian, Tom Faranda, Guadalupe Frattini, Jeanne-Marie Gagnon, Marjorie Gilbert, Deacon Al Mazza, Regina O‟Leary,
Members Excused:
Jacqueline Anfiteatro
Supporting Parishioners:
Mike Lavery (Vicariate Ministry), Suzanne Luntz (Walking With Purpose), Eve Steier (Music Ministry), Helen Mazza (Bereavement Ministry), Ron Pantoliano (RCIA), Laurie Baschwitz, Tom Leder

Call to Order & Opening Prayer
Debi Braddick, Parish Council President, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. Tom Condon led the Council in the opening prayer.

Introduction:
Debi Braddick welcomed Fr. Brennan to his first HNM Parish Council meeting. Going around the room, Council members as well as supporting parishioners introduced themselves and their role on the Council. All new members were welcomed.

Approval of Minutes
One correction to the June 27, 2011 minutes was noted:
1. Page 3: added under Vicariate a bullet to read: A meeting will be held on 9/21/11 at St. Patrick‟s in Yorktown. Possible assessment to the Parish could be $30,000 to $40,000 to subsidize Catholic schools in the Archdiocese.
On a motion by Frank Burrows, and seconded by Rich Corvinus, the Minutes of the June 27, 2011 meeting were approved with the correction.

Correspondence
None.

Pastor Updates
Fr. Brennan thanked everyone for the warm welcome. He finds it heartening that HNM is a very active parishioner parish. His philosophy is that we have to have a goal: Evangelize. We need to do the work of the Lord.
With that in mind, Fr. Brennan hired Ron Pantoliano to a full-time position of evangelization. Ron will continue to work with RCIA / RCIC and RCIT. Fr. Brennan gave a brief synopsis on what some of Ron‟s responsibilities will be.
• Function primarily in contacting families who have been received into the church as well as those who have received their sacraments at HNM.
• Coordinate with Catholics Alive in on-going spiritual development including help plan the Annual Parish Mission.
• Assist in publicizing parish ministries activities and encouraging additional parishioner involvement.
• Undertake other initiatives as directed by the Pastor.

Ministry Updates
Debi Braddick asked the ministry representatives to attend the ten (10) regular Parish Council meetings and if they are not able to attend, appoint another representative from their ministry to attend. Their ministry should be represented at these meetings.

Respect Life

Tom Faranda gave out three (3) handouts and gave an update on this ministry. 1) Respect Life Cluster report; (2) Respect Life report; and 3) article entitled “Archdiocese of NYC Youth Congress.”
• The Loaves and Fish program is going strong. Over 40 guests every weekend and people are continuing to volunteer their service.
• Midnight runs scheduled: Friday, November 25th and Friday, December 30th. Still needed are volunteers to donate food and to assist in traveling into the city for distribution.
• Tom also gave a brief outline on handout #3 above.

Hispanic Ministry
Lupe Frattini reported on this ministry.
• Sunday, October 9th they will celebrate the one (1) year anniversary of the Grotto. There will be a procession followed by a bi-lingual Mass at 2 PM. Fr. Nelson will be the celebrant and a visiting priest from St. Ann‟s Parish.
• On November 19th the Spanish Ministry has requested a Mass and celebration in honor of a parishioner‟s 12 year old daughter.
• December 12th the Seranada for Our Lady of Guadalupe will be celebrated. This begins with a gathering at 4 AM, devotion and mass and concludes by 7 AM. Parish Council members and other ministries are invited to attend both events.
• Requesting January 6, 2012 to celebrate the Feast of the Three (3) Kings.
Fr. Nelson asked that the Spanish Ministry encourage their children to join HNM‟s Youth Ministry.

Walking With Purpose
Suzanne Luntz and Laurie Baschwitz gave a presentation on this ministry. It started with twelve (12) individuals and ended with twenty-one (21). Meetings are held once a week on Tuesday mornings at HNM. Each day has a different reading and questions. Participants write down their own thoughts and then these are discussed by the groups. Suzanne passed around material for Council Members to look at. Cost per session is $100 which includes a light breakfast as well as materials for the meeting and babysitting. This is open to all parishes in New York State. Next session begins October 18th with registration on October 11th. Flyers were handed out to Council. January 2012 evening sessions are still being discussed.

Knights of Columbus
Joe Costanzo is the new HNM Parish Council representative for the K of C. Several events being planned are:
•Saturday, October 22nd – Oktoberfest. A flyer was handed out to Council.
• November 10th is the Annual Memorial Mass for deceased members of the K of C.
• January 12th the K of C Christmas Party will be held at the Cortland Colonial. All HNM parishioners are invited.
• January 13th - K of C Annual Basketball Free Throw Contest.
• The Knights are willing to support a St. Patrick‟s Day Party if HNM has one.

Youth Ministry - HNMY
Mario Caraballo, Fr. Brennan and Fr. Nelson met with the representatives of the youth group. Differences as to what the group would be doing were ironed out. They will now be known as the Holy Name of Mary‟s Youth Group.
Mario will conduct registration on October 9th following the 10:45 AM Mass and will „kick off‟ on October 16th.

Some of the projects that are being planned:
• Jan Peek dinners
• Sleep out
• Retreats
• Prayer services

Mario will provide updates as the plan develops. He indicated that they are looking for support from the other ministries. Debi Braddick gave an overview of how the Jan Peek service was done in the past. This may need more tweaking by the youth group. Some of our youth ministry members are currently CCD teachers and altar servers.

Catholics Alive
Tom Condon gave an update on the mini-retreats. Team building meetings have already been held. There are thirteen (13) members on the team. Tom gave an overview of their next program which will be held on December 4th at noon and will end at 4:30 PM. A light lunch will be provided. Topic: “Encountering Jesus.” There will be talks by priests and parishioners the team is striving to have all CCD teachers attend this session.

Liturgy Ministry
Marjorie Gilbert informed that their calendar of events is still a work in progress. Some events:
• Anointing Mass will now be held twice a year – spring and fall. The next one is scheduled for Saturday, October 15th – 12:00 noon Mass with luncheon to follow.
• Expenant Family Service Mass held twice a year.
• Couples celebrating 25 and 50 years of marriage.
• Implementing the new mass responses.
• Formalizing of job descriptions for co-coordinators (Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, etc.)
• Establish a back up for the Altar Rosary Society coordinator.
• Propose 5th graders to be recruited as new altar servers.
• Additional training for current Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors.
• Recruitment & training for new Eucharistic Ministers.
• Homebound will be included in the anointing services.

Fr. Brennan indicated that he would like to see the 12:00 noon Sunday Mass re-instituted at HNM. Debi Braddick reviewed why this mass was eliminated. At the time the survey was done we had anticipated having only one priest at HNM. The survey was done to cut back one (1) Sunday Mass and the consensus was the 12:00 noon Mass. Andy Mulhall had a copy of the survey and read some of the attendance figures to the Council. Suggestion was made to have a 12 o‟clock mass at the Chapel.

There was also some discussion regarding having a regular youth Mass. Suggestions included four different type masses once a month. Examples given: bi-lingual mass, youth mass, high mass, and the regular mass.

Hospitality Ministry
Connie Derbabian reported on Hospitality for Marie Considine. Connie read the Hospitality Ministry Report from Marie & Joe Considine. The report introduced Joe and Marie and included projects from 2010, 2011, and planned projects for 2012. These events were supported by the Hospitality Ministry. A review of proposed projects for 2011 and 2012 are: 2 masses for expectant families, 2 masses for anointing, and a 25 & 50 year anniversary mass and celebration for married couples.

Bereavement Ministry
Helen Mazza reported on this ministry. She outlined the process of receiving the family for this support group. Helen also reminded Council of the memorial mass to be held on November 20th.

Music Ministry
Eve Steier reported on this ministry.
• Fr. Brennan and Fr. Nelson were given copies of the songs for the new Mass of Renewal. October 2nd at 4 PM – Bindlestick Bill fundraiser
• October 7th – Dan Schutte Concert
• October 27th – Andy Bauer, guest composer, to teach his mass setting and holding an open NRM translation rehearsal. Laminated cards are being prepared and will be distributed at the various masses when available.
• December 10th – Victorian Christmas and A Christmas Carol.

Montessori School
Jean-Marie Gagnon gave an update on Montessori School events:
• Back to school picnic – over 90 people attended which included 29 children.
• NYS inspection found some violations which are being worked on to correct.
• The children are looking forward to the Blessing of the Stuffed Animals on October 2th.

Parish Administrative Update
Cheryl Comitto reviewed some items from her September report.
• Flag pole was refurbished in time for the 9/11 service. Lighting for flag was also installed.
• PMR 1 & 2: damaged wall paper removed and room painted. Rug installed.
• Tree near the Chapel was destroyed during Hurricane Irene. Tree removed and will be replaced. It has been recommended that the remaining trees be thinned, lifted and lightened (Bradford Pears).
• July and August collection info was listed in her report.
• Archdiocese Building Commission called in to take another look at our leaking issues in the Church.

Fr. Brennan further elaborated on and gave an update on the roof situation. As of yesterday, he received a proposal (roughly a $25,000 fee) which will include:
• Inspection
•Help get roofers
• Actively oversee the work
Fr. Brennan will assist in selecting the contractors to do the repairs. This will be at an additional cost.

Fr. Brennan is also looking into the electric, heating/AC and water systems. He will have an electrical engineer survey all buildings for electric, heating & air conditioning, computer issues, overall maintenance schedule, and security for the buildings. These will be looked at as a point of liability.

Old Business / Updates / Discussions
• Fr. Nelson informed Council that CCD was introduced to Reconciliation.
• Fr. Nelson had to bring three of the classrooms into the Rectory because of lack of space for them elsewhere.
• Fr. Nelson commented on the good break-through with the youth group at their last meeting.
• Fr. Nelson thanked the work of RCIA and he will help Ron Pantoliano. They hope to start RCIT within the next six (6) months.

Move to Adjourn & Closing Prayer
The closing prayer was led by Andy Mulhall, Jr. and recited by all. The meeting adjourned at 9:28 PM.

Next Meeting Date: MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011 - 7:30 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Louise Bartoli
Parish Council Secretary