St. Joseph Parish Council
The meeting was called to order by President, Jack Marinella, at 7:00 p.m. in St. Joseph Hall. Marti Badagliacco led the meeting in prayer.
Attendance: Fr. Carmen Carlone, Fr. Ron Falotico, Sr. Henrietta Aprile, Sr. Barbara Ranere, Marti Badagliacco (Trustee), Pat Campanella, Anthony Capella, Sal Capelli (Trustee), Frank Carrelli, Madge Codone, Nick Domenico, Sharon Figuero, Jerry Jablonowski, Mary Kryvoruka, Hugh LaMonaca, Jack Marinella, Joseph Olive, Anthony Padovani, Burwell Porter (Trustee), Elvera Porter, Pat Provnick, Pat Rodio, Minerva Rodriguez (Trustee), Agustin Saldana, Sr. Dorothy Toussaint
Excused: Nimia Bermudez, Ron Chance, Steve Kincaid, Robert McCluskey, Joan Simpson, Jo Ann Chiappine, Greg Duva, Debra McHale
Ways and Means Committee: Anthony Capella, chairperson, Anthony Padovani, Nimia Bermudez, Pat Rodio, Augustin Saldana, Nick Domenico
Anthony Capella reported that the committee will have the 50/50 tickets ready very soon.
Ecumenical Committee: Joe Olive, chairperson, Nimia Bermudez, Madge Codone, Pat Provnick
Joe Olive reported that the Ministerium is planning for the Crop Walk, Thanksgiving Day Ecumenical Service, Day of Unity in January, and Migrant Workers Day in July. The Food Pantry will open on May 4, 2006, Thursday from 7 – 9, at St. Anthony Hall at St. Joseph Parish.
Education Committee: Anthony Padovani, chairperson, Sharon Figueroa, Minerva Rodriguez
Anthony Padovani reported that the location of the white house next to the elementary school will be leveled and the land will be used for a playground for the pre-K and kindergarten school children. The committee is going through a line item of the budget. A report will be given at the next meeting.
Liturgical Committee: Marti Badagliacco, chairperson, Ron Chance, Pat Provnick
Marti Badagliacco reported that the Saturday morning and Thursday Masses are back in the schedule. Marti emphasized satisfaction with the Seder Mass, Holy Thursday Services, Adoration at St. Anthony Hall, Good Friday Services, Stations on Good Friday with Spanish community, and Sunrise Mass on Easter Sunday.
The parish is getting ready for Confirmation, July 16 Celebration, Living Rosary on Convent Lawn in May with refreshments to follow. A Sunday Evening Mass will be added. The flyers for the 16th of July will include the times of the Masses. Contacts for the Haitians will be made.
Maintenance Committee: Sal Capelli, chairperson, Anthony Capella, Ron Chance, Agustin Saldana, Steve Kincaid, Agustin Saldana, Pat Rodio
Sal Capelli reported that a great job was done in the rectory basement, St. Joseph Hall, and St. Patrick Hall.
There are many more problems with St. Anthony Hall regarding leaks in the roof and toilet backups. The cost to keep it open is rising. It was suggested, and agreed upon, to take the hall down and replace it with a Butler Building. More research will be done regarding this issue, and Sal Capelli will give a report at the next meeting.
The parish grounds are getting attention. The St. Joseph Statue in memory of Dominic Tassone’s late wife has been moved to the end of the parking lot with shrubbery and a fence behind it. Convent lawn is getting attention. Bob Capoferri has again donated his time and equipment to taking down the white house across from the elementary school. He will also level Mrs. Steeb’s house in preparation for the grade school playground. Previously, the greenhouse at the Steebe property was removed by John Grasso, also at no cost. The monuments at the cemetery, St. Joseph, Blessed Virgin Mary, and Crucifix have been moved and readied for relocation. An Angel will be at the First Road entrance and St. Joseph Holy Sepulture sign will be placed at the entrance on Chew Road. The rules of the Cemetery have been placed in a more convenient place. The front has been graded and drive ways paved. John Grasso removed all the debris from the different sites at no cost.
The Grace House at the cemetery on Chew Road was discussed as to its usage/need. Discussion on the Mausoleum followed. It was decided that the committee will come back next month with their presentation; the issue will be put on next month’s agenda.
Social Activities Committee: Elvera Porter, chairperson, Mary Kryvoruka, Marti Badagliacco, Madge Codone, Pat Campanella, Minerva Rodriguez, Sharon Figueroa
No Report
Youth Ministry Committee: Sharon Figueroa, chairperson, Frank Carrelli, Nick Domenico
Sharon Figueroa, Cathy Pantalone, and Patty Chiappine are working on the reorganization of the youth program It as become evident that the youth need more involvement in activities already in place as well as social activities, service hours, etc. Our church seems to be more geared to the senior members; whereas, the youth should feel as though this is their church, too. There should be communication among the high school, elementary school, public school, and Spanish/Anglo students. Get students involved. Suggestions included marketing in the bulletin, youth ministers, youth lectors, youth council, visiting nursing homes, etc. Space and events need to be scheduled.
Fr. Carmen suggested that Marketing in the Bulletin needs to be done; for example, meetings that take place, ministries, plans, announcements, advertisements, (for youth lectors, youth ministers, youth and parish leadership, youth council along with parents who want to get involved as part of this parish council, etc.)
It was suggested that brainstorming should be done. A roster of all the ideas along with dates, times, and who is in charge should be made for next year. Then, keep what works, discard others, then brainstorm again.
Religious Celebrations Committee: Frank Carrelli, chairperson, Nick Domenico, Elvira Porter, Steve Kincaid, Pat Provnick
Frank Carrelli collected $600 to date for Volunteer T-Shirts. Religious Articles have been ordered ($8,000). This bill will be paid by the Festival Account so that this year will show dollar for dollar what the profit actually is from the Festival. All last year’s bills will be handled separately
The Candle Stand and Religious Articles Stand will be placed on the Convent lawn. All other stands will be on the on the church parking lot and along Third Street by the school. Frank Carrelli will ask the Mt. Carmel Society for the Third and French Street corner of the Mt. Carmel Society ground for the Car Stand. Lou Pantalone gave a competitive price for the printing; this w ill save over $1,000. Fr. Carmen recommended that in all fairness other stands need to be removed from the convent property. Adeline and Caroline will reserve the St. Anthony Hall for the stuffing process.
Evangelical Committee: Hugh LaMonaca, chairperson, Pat Campanella, Pat Provnick, Joseph Olive, Minerva Rodriguez
The St. Vincent DePaul Society has taken over the operation of the parish food pantry. The pantry will be open from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays for the distribution of food to the needy. The pantry will be located in St. Anthony Hall in the room that is on the right when entering the front door. Freezers from the Grace House and the rectory basement will be moved to the pantry. The Society is in need of volunteers to help operate the pantry. Interested people should contact Hugh LaMonaca (567-0195). Parishioners can make donations of powered milk, rice, and canned tuna. The food will be collected on the given Sundays and moved immediately to the pantry.
Fr. Carmen encouraged all committees to get volunteers for all the activities so that more and more people get involved in the parish. The burdens will not be on a chosen few.
Fr. Carmen recommended that all announcements for the bulletin be put on a 3 x 5 card expressing advertisements, information, etc. and submitted by Tuesday morning. To repeat messages, just call in. Engage as many people as possible in all activities.
Outreach to Fallen Away Catholics will be taken over as part of the RCIA handled by Jerry Jablonowski.
Hugh LaMonica pointed out that a “Welcoming New Neighbors” committee needs to be started.
Fr. Carmen indicated that a sense of ministry needs to be developed in the parish. The organization of the parish should run itself. Everybody in the parish needs to know what is being done so that more and more people will participate.
Fr. Carmen emphasized that the 45 shut-ins should be ministered to every. Gifts, etc., could be brought to them
New Business
Fr. Carmen mentioned that English as a second language classes will be started. Fr. Ron will be in charge.
Fr. Carmen runs everything from the parish calendar. Once parishioners get used to using the calendar to book meetings, events, etc., there will be no conflicts. It also helps for the preparation for the bulletin. Volunteers are in the office every night of the week except Friday from 6:00 – 8:00. The volunteer will help get the meetings started, open up, and be sure the person in charge of the meeting locks up.
Fr. Carmen plans to replace the rug in the in the study room at the convent within the next few weeks.
Fr. Ron is the Chaplain for Knights of Columbus. Jack Marinelli will ask the Knights to send a letter of thanks to Fr. Rinaldi for his many years of service.
Frank Carrelli reminded everyone to keep the parish website up-to-date. The website can be viewed at www.st-josephparish.org/default.htm.
Fr. Carmen needs a layperson to be a minister to the sick and infirmed. This is part of the Prayer Network Committee.
Parish information in the local newspapers needs to be updated.
The committee for the 7-year plan will consist of Namia Bermudez, Pat Campanella, Ron Chance, Nick Domenico, Sharon Figueroa, Pat Provnick, Jack Marinella – Ex Officio. The report will be on next month’s agenda.
Tony Sceia will replace the unfinished term of David DeMeglio who has resigned. A thank you note will be sent to David DeMeglio for his extensive service to the Parish Council.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, June 6, 2006 in St. Joseph Hall. Nick Domenico will prepare the opening and closing prayers.
At 9:50 p.m. a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Anthony Capella and seconded by Anthony Padovani. Fr. Ron led the closing prayer.
Refreshments were served.
Respectfully submitted,
Sr. Dorothy Toussaint