Parish Council Meeting Minutes November 10Th, 2014 (Changed from the 17Th Due to Fr Phil

Parish Council Meeting Minutes November 10th, 2014 (changed from the 17th due to Fr Phil having a conflict)

Present: Fr. Phil Persico, Matthew Backes, David Bartsch, Bob Beitscher, Fran Berger, Mary Coleman, Dot DiMaggio, Joelen Donohue, Janan Lane, Maureen McLoughlin, Brian Morrow, Ken Noonan and Art Prudhomme Opening - The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm by Parish Council President Brian Morrow and Fr. Phil offered an opening prayer. 1. FINANCE presented by Fran Berger: Year ends are done, finances are good and we paid $1,000 towards the red bill. New accounting software program being installed for parishioners. and the Mid-Winter Ball proceeds will go to the refurbishment of the altar

2. SOCIAL CONCERNS presented by Maureen McLoughlin: Breakfast Run- we had a successful Breakfast Run on Sunday, Nov 2. Approx 100 homeless men and women were fed a hot meal and given toiletries and clothing. In preparation for the Run we had a clothing/ toiletry sort, where approx. 20 parishioners helped out. We also collected bag lunches- parishioners donated approx. 300 lunches- all went to people we saw on the Run. Thanks to all our parishioners for their donations of toiletries, clothing, and food. Thanks also to Jim Spies and Anthony Amiano for cooking all the breakfast food. We will be doing another Run in the spring. a. Thanksgiving Crafts- on Nov 5th approx. 30 people helped to make crafts for residents of nursing homes. Some RE classes made cards as well. All the homes were grateful for our donations. b. Collection for Rosary Hill- the activities director at Rosary Hill had requested that we collect small gifts for the residents, and also gifts for the residents to give their grandkids. Our parishioners were very generous, and we were able to take 2 carloads of gifts over to Rosary Hill. They were very grateful for our generosity. c. Soup Kitchen Update- Joelen Donohue has looked into several soup kitchens where our parishioners can volunteer. She will give an update. d. Dinner at the Ronald McDonald House- Last Sat. a small group of parishioners prepared a meal for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House at the Maria Ferrari Children’s Hospital. Anna Conte was the head chef- she did a wonderful job. Menu included- maple glazed ham, garlic mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, etc. We hope to do this again, opening it up to parishioners. e. Thanksgiving Baskets- the weekend of Nov 15/16 we will be asking parishioners to sign up to donate a basket of food. The collection will take place the weekend of Nov 22/23. Anthony Amiano will be present that weekend to coordinate the collection. The Boy Scouts of Valhalla Troop 1, under the direction of Sue Rossi, will again be helping out. The food will be distributed to Valhalla families, families in White Plains, throughout lower Westchester, and some of Father Nana’s families in the Bronx. f. Christmas Angels- we again will be matching families in need with parishioners who are willing to buy them Christmas presents. A sign-up sheet will be in the front vestibule the weekend of Nov 29/30. g. Christmas Crafts- we will be making Christmas crafts for nursing homes on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 3:30-5:30 in the café h. Fr Phil added that Marian Nangle will do the Christmas gifts for the migrant workers this year

3. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY presented by Maureen McLoughlin a. Prayer Shawl Blessing- This coming weekend (Nov 15/16) Prayer Shawls that have been completed this summer and fall will be blessed at all masses. They will then be ready for distribution to people who are ill, bereaved, or elderly. b. Meetings- We continue to meet once a month to share progress, patterns, and hand in completed shawls, and to support each other. We now have approximately 25 members. Our next meeting is this weekend, Nov 15/16, where we will be setting up the shawls. New members are always welcome. c. Shawls- to date we have distributed approx. 58 shawls.

4. ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY presented by Dot DiMaggio A. At the October 24th meeting, we welcomed Frank Pellegrino who shared his experience with the Last Man Standing Fund Raiser at Mt. St Michael. As Fr Phil has indicated this is a parish fund raiser and some of the Rosarians were concerned that we would be responsible for all of it. We know as time goes by will be more news. (Fr. Phil stated-the RAS is only responsible for the tickets) B. Gail Morrow is busy getting donations for our Annual Shut-ins Cookie Delivery at Christmas C. 8 Rosarians participated in the 5th grade Living Rosary on October 25th. Janan, the staff and children did a beautiful job D. Next meeting is on November 19th with a cookie swap E. Christmas party at the Beehive on December 3rd. The committee promises a surprise and hope many will attend F. On December 6th and 7th we will have our Annual Bake Sale and Basket Raffle and this year will be including “Donuts with Santa” We welcome children of all ages

5. LITURGY presented by Ken Noonan- A. No one has contacted Fr Phil about an Ecumenical Service for Thanksgiving and Ken will look into B. Choir is preparing for Christmas

6. YOUTH GROUP- presented by Fr Phil in absentia Mike Williams A. Have 60 members and a lot of new kids B. The Blood Drive will be done on 11/30 with signup on 11/23 C. Will do 4 baskets for Social Concerns D. In the Spring will do a sponsored Chariokee- (Karaoke being done for a charity) E. Planning a movie night in Spring F. Pasta Dinner on 2/13/15-Mardi Gras with Rose Rich, Marie Soderquist and Sue Oderifero cooking

7. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION presented by Janan Lane A. The family Mas on 11/9 was well attended B. Janan will contact Fr Nana that the December 8th 6:30pm Mass will have a lot of children in attendance C. Diaper Drive raised over $1,000 and Janan, Anita and Cheryl will be driving up to Emmanuel House in D. Carmel to deliver diapers and check E. The RE will do 40 baskets for Thanksgiving F. First Reconciliation is on December 1st with 68 children

8. PASTOR’S REPORT-Stairs are completed, all lighting is changed over to green, generator fixed in rectory, New digitized bell system, new fence is coming, trench done outside RE Wing, two Pipes were replaced in the boiler room, New boiler room door ordered a. Rectory tours will begin on 11/30 and the money raised will again go to Social Concerns. Last yr we raised over $1,000 b. Capital Campaign will begin next year with projects like-upgrade the Church lighting to be brighter in the church, new doors for the Church, new parking lot and adding spaces in the back, continue to refurbish the altar and secure the altar and adding relics, carpet has to be removed, redo cushions c. 11/29 need people to decorate the Church d. Mary Coleman and Joelen Donohue have completed their term as at large members. At the end of November we need an election so we need an announcement stating that people can enter someone and we have to nominate two people and Mary and Joelen may run again

9. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15PM and the next meeting will be November 17th, 2014