St. Joseph Parish Council
The
meeting was called to order by President, Jack Marinella, at 7:05 p. m. in
Convent Basement. Monsignor Bottino led the meeting in prayer.
Attendance: Msgr. Dominic Bottino, Marti Badagliacco, Nimia Bermudez, Pat
Campanella, Sal Capelli, Frank Carrelli, Madge Codone, Nick Domenico, Sharon
Figueroa, Steve Kincaid, Mary Kryvoruka, Hugh LaMonaca, Jack Marinella, Joseph
Olive, Anthony Padovani, Burwell Porter (Trustee), Elvera Porter, Pat Provnick,
Minerva Rodriguez (Trustee), Agustin Saldana, Sr. Dorothy Toussaint
Excused: Pat Rodio Absent: Anthony Capella, David DiMeglio, Alex
Tigro, Ron Chance
Jack Marinella called on Hugh LaMonica to announce the results of voting of new members of the Parish Council. Hugh LaMonica reported that there was a slate of excellent candidates. The five candidates that received the highest number of votes are as follows:
Sal Capelli
Steve Kincaid
Nick Domenico
Pat Provnick
Sharon Figueroa
Jack Marinella congratulated the new members. Monsignor Bottino also congratulated the new members, and he showed his appreciation for all the candidates who accepted the nominations. Monsignor suggested that thank-you letters be sent to those nominees.
Ways and Means Committee: Anthony
Capella, chairperson, Anthony Padovani, Nimia Bermudez, Pat Rodio
No Report
Ecumenical
Committee: Joe Olive, chairperson, Nimia
Bermudez
The
Thanksgiving evening of prayer was well attended. There will be a prayer day
of Unity at the Presbyterian Church.
Because details are not available, it is recommended that everyone check the
newspaper for date and time.
Education
Committee: Anthony Padovani, chairperson,
Richard Blasberg
Catholic
Schools week will begin on January 30, 2006, and continue for the week. The
committee is encouraging participation.
Liturgical
Committee: Marti Badagliacco, chairperson,
Ron Chance
A
meeting will be called to evaluate the Advent and Christmas decorations and
liturgies. Marti indicated that a very good group showed up to do the
decorations. Marti expressed her gratitude for the excellent work done to make
our Church look great for the Christmas season.
Maintenance Committee: Sal
Capelli, chairperson, Anthony Capella, Ron Chance, Dave DiMeglio,
Agustin Saldana
Sal
Capelli suggested that a thank-you letter be sent to Bob Capoferri for the work
he did on the red house across from the elementary school. All that work was
donated.
Many
compliments were given on the installation of the fence on the convent grounds.
This project was donated by Master Fencing.
Good
weather, while halting the work in the rectory basement, is helping to get Holy
Sepulture Cemetery grounds in shape. The coops are leveled and wood is off
property, roots are going to be dug up and removed. Much ground needs to be
leveled and fencing moved. Almost all work has been donated; and although it does
not look good yet, it is on the way to improvement. There is space for
approximately 600-700 graves on the property.
Negotiations
are still being considered regarding the selling of the cemetery property to
the Diocese and the erection of a Mausoleum. The brick gardens in the cemetery
which served their purpose for years have become eyesores. The landscaping to
be done in the spring will include the removal of the gardens and relocation of
the statues and cross (Cross was donated by the St. John Society).
The
cement wall inside the brick wall in front of the school will be removed
weekend of January 14-15, 2006. The outside wall will remain.
The
kneelers on the front seats of the church cannot be moved, as was suggested,
because of the holes that were drilled into the floor. If moved, it will weaken
the structure already in place.
Social Activities Committee: Elvera Porter, chairperson,
Mary Kryvoruka, Marti Badagliacco, Madge Codone, Pat Campanella
No report.
Youth
Ministry Committee: Rich
Blasberg, chairperson
Monsignor
Bottino indicated that, for the Youth Group, what worked several years ago,
does not work today. It is time to do something with youth that is spiritual.
Numbers are not the issue, and a full calendar schedule is not necessary. Being
specifically spiritual would include retreats, Bible school, activities related
to parish life, visits to shrines, ways of getting the youth in touch with
Christ. It is a challenging and difficult thing to do. The committee should not
try to do what other organizations, such as schools and CCD programs do. When
looking at the possibility of Youth Ministry, it can be a reasonable,
occasional type of ministry.
Religious Celebrations
Committee: Frank Carrelli, chairperson, Maryann Laslie, Alex Tigro,
Rick Blasberg
Frank
Carrelli announced that the meeting for the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Feast will
be on Tuesday, January 17, 2006, at 7 p.m., in the convent basement in which
all parish council members are invited to attend. Frank invited the new members
to serve on this committee.
Evangelical
Committee: Hugh LaMonaca, chairperson, Pat
Campanella
Hugh
LaMonica reported that the St. Vincent DePaul Society needs to prepare for the
needs of the people in January, February, and March.. Monsignor indicated that
the Grace House had a setback because of some medical issues that are in the
process of being resolved. Monsignor also indicated that the high school
students are willing to be of assistance. Coordination between St. Vincent
DePaul Society and the high school needs to be set up.
By Laws Committee: Hugh LaMonaca, Alex Tigro, Ron Chance
Monsignor informed the Council that, although according to the By-Laws we have too many members on the Council, he feels that the expertise of the members who have already served on the council will be crucial in decisions that will be made as a result of the Speak-Up Session with Bishop Galante. He, therefore, asked the members whose terms were expiring this year to stay on for one more year.
It was decided that no changes will be made to the By-laws regarding membership or any other areas until the future of the parish becomes more stable.
Jack Marinella asked Hugh LaMonaca to have the By-Laws distributed to all the members at the next meeting. All new members were asked to sign up for a committee with Jack Marinella as soon as possible; otherwise, Jack will assign each member to a committee.
Old Business:
Jack Marinella expressed his thanks to Agustin for the platform under the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel statue in front of the convent.
New Business
Joe Olive asked when St. Joseph feast day will be celebrated this year since it falls on a Monday.
Monsignor Bottino indicated that he has already invited Bishop DiMarzio (the invitation was accepted) to come on St. Joseph Day, March 20, 2006, for Mass and dedication of the Media Center at the high school. This would give us an opportunity to express our thanks f in recognition of the work he did to make the purchase of the high school property a reality.
Monsignor Bottino also indicated that he would like to have a Mass followed by a fully catered buffet on the Feast of St. Joseph to thank all the volunteers who serve the parish (lectors, Eucharistic ministers, bingo workers, choir, ushers, heads of societies, CCD teachers, etc.)
Joe Olive has agreed to head St. Joseph Celebration. Joe will get a committee together and come up with the best solutions. Questions for consideration included Sunday or Monday, traditional pastry on Sunday or Monday or at all, who will be invited, tradition and celebration will be taken into consideration as well as it becoming a new tradition, etc.
Monsignor
Bottino summarized some of the challenges that face the Diocese of Camden as
mentioned in Sunday’s homily and in the Vision for the Future of our Church
prayer card sent by Bishop Galante. Monsignor Bottino mentioned that Bishop
Galante will be holding the Speak-Up Sessions in each parish in Hammonton right
after Easter. Changes need to be faced because of the shortage of priests and
religious and the decline of the practicing Catholics. He used the three
parishes in Hammonton as an example of how resources can be pulled together.
Rather than serving as three parishes and being taxed as three parishes, we
could possibly utilize one or two parishes with central CCD program, central
Vincent DePaul Society, staggered Masses, etc. He stressed the need to think
regionally.
Bishop
Galante will speak with the pastors as well as with the parishioners regarding
the future of the Diocese under the title of the “Vision for the Future of the
Church.”
Monsignor
Bottino welcomed all Parish Council members, whose terms were up, to stay on
the council. His reason for this is so that the expertise of the Parish Council
members who have already served can be influential in the preparation for
changes, discussions, decisions, discernment issues, etc. that the Bishop
intends to address as a result of the Speak-Up Sessions. Another reason is that
while this is taking place, the parish needs to continue with its regular routine
in the midst of the changes that will take place; therefore, Monsignor feels
that it is best to keep as many people on board in the parish council as
possible so that there will be an informative voice in the Parish council to
help get through the various phases.
Monsignor
Bottino feels that the parishes in Hammonton were left to the end of the
Bishop’s Speak-Up sessions so that Hammonton can set the example for other
parishes to follow. The diocese will learn how to do what it needs to do from
the experience of the Hammonton process.
Bishop
Galante is not only looking at the decrease in the number of clergy and
religious but also at the number of active Catholics, sacramental needs, and
financial resources. These factors are beyond anyone’s control, which is the
reason for the need of the Bishop’s leadership to do the best with what we
have.
Jack
Marinella introduced the need to elect officers for the coming year; however,
after little discussion the council decided to keep the same officers because
of their expertise in this time of uncertainty regarding the future of the
parish.
The
next meeting will be held in the convent basement on February 6, 2006, at 7
p.m. Elvira Porter will prepare the opening and closing prayers.
At
8:45 p.m. Monsignor Bottino led the closing prayer. A motion to adjourn the
meeting was made by Frank Carrelli and seconded by Mary Kryvoruka.
Respectfully
submitted,
Sr.
Dorothy Toussaint