IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL PARISH
MINUTES OF PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
7:00 P.M., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2011
ST. CATHERINE’S RENEWAL CENTER

PRESENT: Father William Hearn, Mary Kelly, Imelda Head, Peggy Sheppard, Jonathan Gaye and Pauline Power

ABSENT: Sister Rose Kennedy and Marie Mackey

1. OPENING PRAYER: Peggy Sheppard

2. REMARKS FROM CHAIR: Mary welcomed everyone and expressed the wish that the up coming celebrations for the installation of our new Bishop on April 11 will be a joyous occasion.

3. AGENDA ACCEPTANCE: The Agenda was accepted on motion by Father Hearn,seconded by Peggy with the following changes: Date should read March 23, 2011 and under Incoming Correspondence add - Letter from Millcrest Academy.

4. CORRESPONDENCE: Incoming: a) Letter from E.V.H. Safe Grad. Committee
b) Letter from Millcrest Academy

a) The letter from the E.V.H. Safe Grad Committtee requesting a donation to their Grad will be discussed under Finance.
b) A letter of thanks from Millcrest Academy for our donation to their School Breakfast Program was read.

5. ADOPTION OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the meeting held on February 23, 2011, were adopted on motion by Peggy, seconded by Imelda. Carried.

6. BUSINESS ARISING:

a) Accountant - We are waiting to hear from Susan Carrigan as to whether or not she will accept the appointment.
b) Constitution - Tabled until the Fall.
c) Altar Servers - There was no response to the notice that had been placed in the Bulletin. It was agreed to try again in the Fall and in the meantime, Mary will promote the request at the Confirmation Retreats.
d) Singing for Seniors - Dates will be set after the Music Festival with the emphasis being placed on Golden Years Estates.
e) Stations of the Cross - The Parish Pastoral Council is scheduled for March 29 and 31. March 29 - Jonathan, Pauline and Imelda
March 31 - Pauline, Mary and Imelda
f) Anniversary Preparations - The Schlap Center (former K of C Building) has been tentatively booked for June 6, 2012 for a Social following the Mass. The rental cost is $250 and we will need to book outside licensed caterers. It was agreed to set up a Planning Committee in the Fall.

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

a) Community Life/Social Action - Mary advised that the Community is concerned about its role and are no longer sure what is expected of them. Their Budget is being spent but they don’t know where their money is going. Father Hearn pointed out that he has received requests at the Parish from people for groceries and has directed them to Sobey’s where they are given a certain amount of credit. He was not aware that Social Action had looked after these things in the past. It was agreed that he and Mary would attend the Committee meeting on May 2 to clarify matters. The question was also raised re the Poor Box Funds and what is happening with them.
 

b) Catechetics - The Confirmation Retreats had to be postponed until April and May. There was a good turn out of parents at the meeting for First Penance and the Enrollment was held on Sunday, March 20, 2011. The parents are very cooperative and there are two more meetings scheduled. The Atlantic Catechetical Conference will be held in Moncton, N.B. on the weekend of May 27 and 29. A request has been received from Anne Griffin to attend this Conference. It was agreed that before approving this request, we would like to receive a proposal in writing outlining the total cost, and some infor- mation on the Guest Speaker and the Sessions. Father will pass this along to Anne. In discussing travel costs, it was pointed out that the Parish should apply for an Air Miles Card at Sobeys and in future we could use our points for travel and/or grocery certificates.
Anne Fewer will be asked to look after this.
 

c) Finance - The 2010 Financial Statement and 2011 Budget were presented. We had a small surplus for 2010 but only because of the Bequest that we had received during the year. We are projecting a deficit of $24,800 for 2011. Our 2010 Sunday Collections were down by approximately $13,000 and if this trend continues, we will be facing major financial difficulties. Our Investments will quickly disappear if we keep withdrawing funds to cover our deficits. It was agreed that we need to attach a letter with our Fin. Statement and Budget when they are circulated on the weekend of April 9 - 10. In this letter, it was recommended that we ask parish members to increase their weekly collections by $3 to $5. In addition to the letter, a brief presentation will also be made from the Altar at the weekend Masses. Following the discussions, Pauline moved that we accept the 2010 Financial Statement and 2011 Budget as presented, seconded by Jonathan and carried. It was moved by Father Hearn, seconded by Jonathan that we donate $100 to the E.V.H. Safe Grad Committee.
It was moved by Peggy, seconded by Jonathan that we give $500 to Bishop Daniels on the occasion of his installation as Bishop of the Diocese.
Cathedral Floors - Dick Duder was awarded the contract to strip and wax the Cathedral floors prior to the Bishop’s Installation and Newtown Cleaners will clean the carpets in the Sacristry.
 

d) Liturgy - Father Hearn gave a brief report on the last Liturgy Committee meeting. Plans are well in hand for the Installation of our new Bishop. The Planning Committee is made up of Anne Griffin, Chairperson, and members Father Hearn, Father Colbert, Father Houlahan and Pierce Carey. Plans are also in place for the Chrism Mass on April 19.
 

e) Maintenance - No Report

8. NEW BUSINESS - NIL

9. PASTOR’S REMARKS: Father Hearn advised that he had no further comments to make at this time.

10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: May 18, 2011

11. LEADER OF PRAYER NEXT MEETING: Mary Kelly

12. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. on motion by Jonathan.

Respectfully submitted:

Pauline Power,
Secretary