St. Joseph Parish Council
The meeting was called to order by President, Jack Marinella, at 7:05 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Sr. Dorothy led the meeting in prayer.
Attendance: Msgr. Dominic Bottino, Marti Badagliacco, Nimia Bermudez, Richard Blasberg, Pat Campanella, Anthony Capella, Sal Capelli, Frank Carrelli, Ron Chance, David DiMeglio, Tom Durney, Mary Kryvoruka, Hugh LaMonaca, Maryann Laslie, Joseph Olive, Anthony Padovani, Burwell Porter (Trustee), Elvera Porter, Minerva Rodriguez (Trustee), Agustin Saldana, Sr. Dorothy Toussaint
Excused: Madge Codone Absent: Pat Rodio, Alex Tigro
Ways and
Means Committee: Anthony Capella,
chairperson, Anthony Padovani, Nimia Bermudez, Pat Rodio
Anthony Capella reported that everything is in place for
the clam bake; however, all the 50/50 tickets have not yet been sold, and
volunteers for clean-up are needed. Students from the two schools and CCD
classes will be asked to help.
Ecumenical Committee: Joe Olive, chairperson, Nimia Bermudez
No Report
Education Committee: Anthony Padovani, chairperson, Richard
Blasberg
Anthony
Padovani listed all the improvements made in the elementary school which
included: air conditioning in every room, two rooms converted to the pre-K, the
only single grades are Kindergarten (30 students) and second (21 students) all
others have 20 - 22 students per class, all rooms were painted and cleaned, and
a new faculty lounge on the first floor was installed.
Anthony
Padovani mentioned that adult education is needed. Hugh LaMonica reported that
the 4-day Lenten mission and the Triduum at the Mt. Carmel were successful and
that the Lenten Scripture Series will be restarted this year.
Liturgical Committee: Marti Badagliacco, chairperson, Ron Chance
Marty
reported that the St. John Feast turned out very well except for the PA system.
The procession with the Blessed Sacrament was well attended. The July 16th
Masses need to be spaced better. Monsignor indicated that for next year there
will be new Mass times to alleviate the congestion problem, and have each Mass
well attended. Participation from the surrounding churches was greatly
appreciated.
Maintenance
Committee: Sal Capelli, chairperson,
Anthony Capella, Ron Chance, Dave DiMeglio, Agustin Saldana
Several people were mentioned who have donated time and service for: the paving of the church lot, the bell, the transfer of the Blessed Mother Statue, light on the church lot, cement donated for the pole barn floor, fixing of the Grace House at the cemetery which should be ready by the middle of October, water and sewer lines donated, roof at Grace house fixed rather than replaced, donated furniture for Grace House, doors of church painted, removal of bushes and replacement of cement around church, 23 windows were replaced at the convent (free of charge), landscaping was done at school, church, and convent grounds, the church was scrubbed clean and readied for new kneelers.
The arch by the garage, St. Joseph Statue, pedestal, and flowers were donated by Dom Tassone in memory of his wife, Marie.
Future plans include painting and fixing of eves around the church, (Anthony Capella offered to look into this by being able to get the paint at 50% off and indicated that Dave Nelson will do the painting) permanent 110 and 220 wiring on the outside of the church, improve property lighting, possibility of permanent bathrooms for the feasts, leveling within two weeks of the red house across from the elementary school and the house next to it that was purchased ($125,000) by the Diocese at no cost to St. Joseph Church
Monsignor said that the kneelers (cost is $14,000) will be in by the end of September and that the Mt. Carmel Society members will help to put them in along with members of the council. It will take 5 – 6 hours on a Sunday afternoon to get most of the job done.
A horseshoe driveway will be made at the Grace House,
Monsignor indicated that the accident safety issue means we have to be more safety conscious regarding all feasts and working around the church.
Social
Activities Committee: Elvera Porter, chairperson, Mary Kryvoruka, Marti
Badagliacco, Madge Codone, Pat Campanella
Pat Campanella reported that the Autumn Festival, $25.00 per person, will be on Saturday, October 22, 2005, from 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. The Buffet, which will include manicotti, chicken marsala, veal scallipini, roast pork, green beans, tossed salad, rolls, and sheet cake, will start at 6:30 p.m. D&D will cater. With the beer license acquired, Jack Marinella will donate the beer. Fall decorations will be used. Ron Fisher will be contacted for table centerpieces. Notices have been sent to the Hammonton Gazette, Hammonton News, and Catholic Star Herald.
Frank Carelli mentioned that the St. John Society is planning a breakfast for the benefit of the hurricane victims in September or October. The money realized will be donated to the Catholic Charities.
Youth Ministry Committee: Rich
Blasberg, chairperson, Maryann Laslie
The CCD program starts September 18, 2005. Confirmation will include grades 6, 7, and 8 this year. After this year, Confirmation will be celebrated in Grade 6. Monsignor plans to have envelopes for children which will include “What to offer to God; what do they do for the family.” This will keep a check on whether children attend Mass which will better prepare them for the sacraments. This will also give us a better count of how many parishioners, for whom we are taxed by the Diocese, we have in the parish. Some inactive parishioners have never been erased from the list.
Religious
Celebrations Committee: Frank Carrelli, chairperson,
Maryann Laslie, Alex Tigro, Rick Blasberg
Frank Carelli reported that for the July 16th feast although there were mostly compliments, it was noted that the bathrooms were still a problem and the beer garden was too small. Next year a Cadillac will be raffled off. The cost will include promotions and tickets. Monsignor presented the attached three-year chart on Income and Expenditures of the July 16th Feast. He explained that the picture is not as accurate as it should be because a better inventory and bookkeeping system needs to be kept. Monsignor informed the council that they should look into purchasing paper products, etc., from Philadelphia, for example, to reduce the expenses for the Red Stand from over $30,000.
Evangelical Committee: Hugh LaMonaca, chairperson, Pat Campanella
Hugh
LaMonaca reported that the St. Vincent DePaul society is being phased into the
operation of the parish food pantry. Monsignor Bottino asked the society to do
home visits for those individuals who make requests for food. The society is
also providing funds for the purchase of food for the pantry over and above
that which is received through donations. Between food requests and other
referrals, the society picked up a total of nine referrals in one month.
Expenses included: baby formula, diapers, hotel room, food money and over $200
for the purchase of meat to replenish the food pantry. Society members will be
offering volunteer assistance to help the office staff. St. Vincent de Paul
Conference of Sacred Heart Parish in Vineland helped to get the Hammonton
society started. St. John Society has been making donations monthly to the
society. Besides donations from society members, no other donations have been
coming in. Envelopes have been placed in the vestibule of the church for
parishioner use. Donations can be placed in the collection basket at weekend
Masses.
For
the Outreach to Inactive Catholics program, the evangelization committee have
an active “Catholics Returning Home Program.” The program consists of a series
of six weekly meetings, conducted by a combination of lay parishioners and
clergy, designed to ease the transition back to becoming an active Catholic. So
far two people showed interest; however, they will be re-routed to the RCIA
program since they have not received their sacraments. Advertising within the
community will continue to get more interested people. With permission, signs
can be placed around town.
The
“Sunday Coffee and Donuts” will continue every Sunday since another team
volunteered its services.
New Business
Monsignor Bottino explained his plan on how to allow the parishioners to decide on what to do with the parish hall -- renovate, rebuild (cost around $3-4 million), or demolish. He plans to have a walk-through for the parish council (October 1 and 2) and interested parishioners after all the Masses (October 29 –30) to assess its present condition. Monsignor further explained that if torn down, much will change, temporarily or permanently. The former kindergarten at the Convent (Filippini Hall) will be used for meetings. The rectory basement will be used for youth group, bingo, coffee and donuts, senior citizens, etc. After the walk-through Monsignor will distribute ballots to take home with questions. The ballots will be tallied and results will be brought back to the parish council which will include how many voted, results, pledges, etc. He then continued that without a parish hall the campus can be increased to include the kitchen, bathrooms, and gym of the grade school. The kitchen needs over $75,000 to bring it up to speed. Another idea could be a new garage type bin storage areas to be used in place of putting up stands yearly for the feasts. The stalls could be equipped with electric, gas, and plumbing.
Monsignor is thinking of revitalizing the structure of the Spanish community by starting a Spanish Parish Council that will be separate, but still represented in the St. Joseph Parish Council. Sr. Theresa and Sr. Mary Lou from sponsored by Catholic Charities will be helping with Catechetical instruction, liturgy, social activities, and evangelization for adults. They will meet monthly with Monsignor Bottino and Fr. Caesar and report to the main parish council.
The purpose of the five-week liturgy course is to inform all the ministers (Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Choir, Ushers) of the need for full participation at Mass. Because of the little or no participation, (which may be caused by lack of knowledge or education regarding Mass participation), Monsignor Bottino stopped all music so that people can hear the silence with the hope that after the summer (if and when music will be back at the Masses) everyone will participate more fully.
Monsignor informed the Council that Adoration will be on First Friday after the grade school Mass from 10:00 – 6:30. Adoration will end with the rosary, litany, Mt. Carmel Novena, and Benediction. A notice will be put in the bulletin for people to sign up. If all times are covered, then we may be able to have Adoration every Friday for at least two hours. Monsignor also informed the Council that after January 1, 2006, there will be no Saturday morning Mass.
Hugh LaMonaca will update the Parish Brochure regarding societies, Mass times, and activities in which people can participate.
Members of the Parish Council requested an explanation regarding Monsignor Bottino’s decision of stopping the singing and the greeting of people after the Masses. Monsignor complimented the people for their response to each other before and after Mass; however, he sees little to no participation during Mass. He explained that he does all that he does for the parish for Sunday morning. He finds this very difficult if he does not see everyone participating in the Mass. Few people pick up their song books, sing, and/or participate fully in the Mass. Monsignor apologized for any wrong he did, but he chose this method so that people can feel what total lack of participation means. Monsignor started a five-week course for Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Choir, and song leaders so that they can learn what full participation at Mass means, much of which is different from how many people were brought up. We should get example from people who may have health problems or who may have had a difficult week yet still they fully participate. This should encourage others to participate. He compared it with a husband or wife who, after a long day of making a living for the family, get no response from anyone when returning home. Encouragement from others in the family is necessary, and appreciated if we participate fully in family living.
Monsignor further explained that Liturgy means work. Even if we come to Mass exhausted from a week’s work, we cannot be passive; we cannot just listen to the beautiful choir or a song leader. Going to Mass is not me and God, as when one makes a visit to church; it is us an God. If God is not the ultimate reason for all the good that people do for the parish, much is lost. When asked why Protestants sing so well, Monsignor explained that singing and the homily is all the Protestants have; they do not have the Sacraments. Our beautiful church is not a museum. After the five-week course, decisions regarding singing will be made.
Jack Marinella, asked to have all the tickets returned before leaving the meeting. He also mentioned that the Parish Council elections will take place in December. There are five positions, for a three-year term, open. Monsignor indicated that there will be no appointed members. Jack pointed out that the nominating committee will consist of Hugh LaMonaca, chairperson, Pat Rodio, and Pat Campanella
The next meeting will be held in Filippini Hall on October 3, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. Dave DiMeglio will prepare the opening and closing prayers.
The next meeting will be held in Filippini Hall in the previous kindergarten (Convent basement) on October 3, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. and Dave DiMeglio will prepare the opening and closing prayer..
At 10:15 p.m., the meeting was adjourned. Monsignor Bottino led the closing prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Sr. Dorothy Toussaint
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Feast
3-year Report
|
Stand |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
Car |
41,595 |
57,719 |
50,567 |
|
Red stand |
37,825 |
44,140 |
49,427 |
|
Beer Garden |
4,955 |
5,060 |
9,383 |
|
Religious Articles |
|
1,698 |
8,384.50 |
|
Spanish |
9,785 |
6,847 |
7,898 |
|
Donations/Mass/Statues |
17,011 |
17,261 |
13,116 |
|
Vendors |
|
2,250 |
2,800 |
|
Bingo |
|
1,140 |
4,760 |
|
Cookies |
1,194 |
885 |
1,618 |
|
Candles |
|
|
9,366 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Income |
134,386 |
147,700 |
143,669 |
|
Total Expense |
77,932 |
65,778 |
103,156* |
|
Profit |
56,454 |
81,922 |
73,540 |
|
Expenses Include: |
|
|
*Postage & Mailing |
$ 9,946.00 |
|
Envelopes & Brochures |
$ 8,662.00 |
|
DiMeglio Septic |
$ 4,018.00 |
|
Cifaloglio Trash |
$ 629.00 |
|
Entertainment |
$ 3,850.00 |
|
Hummel Electric |
$ 2,594.00 |
|
Tee-Shirts/Hats |
$ 2,732.00 |
|
Beer |
$ 2,851.00 |
|
Car |
$29,440.00 |
|
Red Stand |
$30,775.00 |
|
Mass Expense |
$ 600.00 |
|
Spanish Stand |
$ 3,694.00 |
|
Candles |
$ 4,403.00 |