ST. MARY’S CHURCH PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE 21, 2007 The meeting was called to order by Secretary, Kathie Downie at 6:40PM. The following members were in attendance: Fr. Jay, Tina Bidic, Theresa Bifulco, Kathie Downie, Rich Falk, George Olivio, Beth Takacs, Mike Takacs and Dona Veight. Joseph Veight, serving as liaison to the Finance Council, was also present. Opening prayer: Kathie Downie A motion was made by Beth Takacs to approve the May minutes. It was seconded by Mike Takacs. The minutes were approved as written. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Church Directory: It was decided that the names, addresses and phone numbers of the families who participated in the directory would be listed in the back. A discussion ensued as to the inclusion of all parishioner names, addresses and phone numbers. It was decided that for the entire month of July, a notice would be placed in the parish bulletin giving parishioners the opportunity to have their information included even if they did not have a picture taken. 2. Parish Planning: Mike Takacs distributed copies of the two plans submitted to Bishop Galante for his consideration. The first plan calls for the cluster/merger of St. Mary’s, Rosenhayn with St. Ann’s, Elmer. The second plan calls for the inclusion of St. Mary’s, Rosenhayn with the parishes of Immaculate Conception and St. Teresa’s in Bridgeton and St. Michael’s, Cedarville. On September 18th, Bishop Galante will be attending the regional deanery meeting to discuss his recommendations on all of the submitted plans. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Bylaw Revisions: Every summer the Vice-President heads up a small committee to review the current bylaws. Kathie Downie and Dona Veight volunteered to help Vice-President, Joan Frith with this process. Joan will be contacted to establish a date for this meeting. 2. It was unanimously decided that the meeting time for next year’s Parish Council meetings will remain at 6:30PM. 3. We are in need of a housekeeper at the rectory – one morning a week for a few hours. No heavy cleaning is involved. It was asked that if anyone knows of someone who might be interested in this position, to have them call the rectory. A notice is also being included in the bulletin. 4. We are also looking for someone to help us with problems concerning the office computers. Joseph Veight has spoken with a classmate from his Diaconate class who is willing to come to St. Mary’s after classes finish at the end of June. 5. Cemetery update: Effective immediately, the Church stipend for a Funeral Liturgy will be increased to $250 (it is currently $200). If a viewing is to take place in the Church, the cost will be $150 per hour, or any part of an hour. The cost to open a single grave at the cemetery will increase to $400 (from $375); double deep openings will now be $550. 6. Funerals: A new policy involving the use of St. Mary’s Hall for funeral luncheons will now be enforced. Until now, the Hall has been available, at no charge, to parishioners. Throughout the years, however, people have been abusing this privilege. After a brief discussion, it was decided that a written contract will be drawn up and signed by a family member prior to the funeral. Included in the contract will be the following two provisions: 1) The family of the decedent will be responsible for any damages incurred during the luncheon. 2) The kitchen ovens and stoves, because of their age and condition, are not to be used under any circumstances. A $300 charge will be incurred at the time the contract is signed. $150 will be returned to the family if the Hall is left in good condition. 7. Rich Falk is going to gather information on the use of credit cards to make weekly/monthly donations to the Church. He will report back in September. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Social Concerns: No report Vocations: No report Youth: The Youth Group is on hiatus until the Fall. Evangelization/Ecumenical: RCIA class will begin on Wednesday, September 12 and continue until April 23, 2008. Family Life: No report Fundraising: Our 50/50 raffle realized a profit of $4,334.03. House of Charity total is nearing $21,000 on a goal of $25,000. Our Yard Sale profit was $1,727.10 on merchandise and $316.60 on baked goods. Acknowledgement was made to everyone for the things that were donated. Harvest Festival applications (for the sale of pizza and baked goods) have been submitted to the township. Liturgical: The weekend of June 23rd & 24th will be the last weekend for the choir until September. Tina Bidic asked that we please continue to seek new members for the choir, especially men. Maintenance: A crack in the drain pan of the second floor, rectory air conditioner caused a leak in the kitchen ceiling. Hawk’s & Co., were called in to repair the problem. The ceiling has been spackled, but now needs painting. Publicity: No report Religious Education: An application has been submitted to the Pittsgrove Board of Education for the use of Olivet School for Religious Education classes (September 2007 – April 2008). Sharon Shephard & Father Jay will be meeting soon to set the calendar for the school year. Social: No report COMMENTS FROM FATHER: Due to increased Mass attendance during the holidays, and with the possibility of a merger with St. Ann’s in Elmer, we are in need of some comfortable chairs to be placed on the side aisles during Mass. Father would like to purchase approximately 30 chairs at a cost of $59/chair plus shipping. There is ample money in the Memorial Fund to cover this expense. When not in use, these chairs would be stored in the chapel. George Olivio expressed concern over spending such a large amount of money at this time; especially since it would be used to accommodate the people who only attend Mass at the holidays. Joseph Veight countered by stating that since Father Jay rarely requests anything from us, that we should honor his request. A motion was then made by Mike Takacs to purchase these chairs. Beth Takacs seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a vote of 8/1. Father noted that the rectory has not been painted since it was built in 1994. The entire interior is sorely in need of painting. He also stated that the furnace that heats the first floor of the rectory needs to be replaced. It has never operated correctly since the rectory was built. We now experience an odor of oil which permeates the entire building. He also expressed interest in installing ceiling fans in the Church. Estimates will be gathered on these three issues. Thanks were expressed to Beth and Mike Takacs for providing refreshments for the meeting. Closing Prayer: Father Jay The meeting was adjourned at 7:55M. Next meeting - Thursday, September 20; 6:30PM in the rectory. Home

ST. MARY’S CHURCH

PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES

JUNE 21, 2007

The meeting was called to order by Secretary, Kathie Downie at 6:40PM.

The following members were in attendance: Fr. Jay, Tina Bidic, Theresa Bifulco, Kathie Downie, Rich Falk, George Olivio, Beth Takacs, Mike Takacs and Dona Veight. Joseph Veight, serving as liaison to the Finance Council, was also present.

Opening prayer: Kathie Downie

A motion was made by Beth Takacs to approve the May minutes. It was seconded by Mike Takacs. The minutes were approved as written.

OLD BUSINESS:

1.Church Directory: It was decided that the names, addresses and phone numbers of the families who participated in the directory would be listed in the back. A discussion ensued as to the inclusion of all parishioner names, addresses and phone numbers. It was decided that for the entire month of July, a notice would be placed in the parish bulletin giving parishioners the opportunity to have their information included even if they did not have a picture taken.

2.Parish Planning: Mike Takacs distributed copies of the two plans submitted to Bishop Galante for his consideration. The first plan calls for the cluster/merger of St. Mary’s, Rosenhayn with St. Ann’s, Elmer. The second plan calls for the inclusion of St. Mary’s, Rosenhayn with the parishes of Immaculate Conception and St. Teresa’s in Bridgeton and St. Michael’s, Cedarville. On September 18th, Bishop Galante will be attending the regional deanery meeting to discuss his recommendations on all of the submitted plans.

NEW BUSINESS:

1.Bylaw Revisions: Every summer the Vice-President heads up a small committee to review the current bylaws. Kathie Downie and Dona Veight volunteered to help Vice-President, Joan Frith with this process. Joan will be contacted to establish a date for this meeting.

2.It was unanimously decided that the meeting time for next year’s Parish Council meetings will remain at 6:30PM.

3.We are in need of a housekeeper at the rectory – one morning a week for a few hours. No heavy cleaning is involved. It was asked that if anyone knows of someone who might be interested in this position, to have them call the rectory. A notice is also being included in the bulletin.

4.We are also looking for someone to help us with problems concerning the office computers. Joseph Veight has spoken with a classmate from his Diaconate class who is willing to come to St. Mary’s after classes finish at the end of June.

5.Cemetery update: Effective immediately, the Church stipend for a Funeral Liturgy will be increased to $250 (it is currently $200). If a viewing is to take place in the Church, the cost will be $150 per hour, or any part of an hour. The cost to open a single grave at the cemetery will increase to $400 (from $375); double deep openings will now be $550.

6.Funerals: A new policy involving the use of St. Mary’s Hall for funeral luncheons will now be enforced. Until now, the Hall has been available, at no charge, to parishioners. Throughout the years, however, people have been abusing this privilege. After a brief discussion, it was decided that a written contract will be drawn up and signed by a family member prior to the funeral. Included in the contract will be the following two provisions: 1) The family of the decedent will be responsible for any damages incurred during the luncheon. 2) The kitchen ovens and stoves, because of their age and condition, are not to be used under any circumstances. A $300 charge will be incurred at the time the contract is signed. $150 will be returned to the family if the Hall is left in good condition.

7.Rich Falk is going to gather information on the use of credit cards to make weekly/monthly donations to the Church. He will report back in September.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Social Concerns: No report

Vocations: No report

Youth: The Youth Group is on hiatus until the Fall.

Evangelization/Ecumenical: RCIA class will begin on Wednesday, September 12 and continue until April 23, 2008.

Family Life: No report

Fundraising: Our 50/50 raffle realized a profit of $4,334.03. House of Charity total is nearing $21,000 on a goal of $25,000. Our Yard Sale profit was $1,727.10 on merchandise and $316.60 on baked goods. Acknowledgement was made to everyone for the things that were donated. Harvest Festival applications (for the sale of pizza and baked goods) have been submitted to the township.

Liturgical: The weekend of June 23rd & 24th will be the last weekend for the choir until September. Tina Bidic asked that we please continue to seek new members for the choir, especially men.

Maintenance: A crack in the drain pan of the second floor, rectory air conditioner caused a leak in the kitchen ceiling. Hawk’s & Co., were called in to repair the problem. The ceiling has been spackled, but now needs painting.

Publicity: No report

Religious Education: An application has been submitted to the Pittsgrove Board of Education for the use of Olivet School for Religious Education classes (September 2007 – April 2008). Sharon Shephard & Father Jay will be meeting soon to set the calendar for the school year.

Social: No report

COMMENTS FROM FATHER:

Due to increased Mass attendance during the holidays, and with the possibility of a merger with St. Ann’s in Elmer, we are in need of some comfortable chairs to be placed on the side aisles during Mass. Father would like to purchase approximately 30 chairs at a cost of $59/chair plus shipping. There is ample money in the Memorial Fund to cover this expense. When not in use, these chairs would be stored in the chapel. George Olivio expressed concern over spending such a large amount of money at this time; especially since it would be used to accommodate the people who only attend Mass at the holidays. Joseph Veight countered by stating that since Father Jay rarely requests anything from us, that we should honor his request. A motion was then made by Mike Takacs to purchase these chairs. Beth Takacs seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a vote of 8/1.

Father noted that the rectory has not been painted since it was built in 1994. The entire interior is sorely in need of painting. He also stated that the furnace that heats the first floor of the rectory needs to be replaced. It has never operated correctly since the rectory was built. We now experience an odor of oil which permeates the entire building. He also expressed interest in installing ceiling fans in the Church. Estimates will be gathered on these three issues.

Thanks were expressed to Beth and Mike Takacs for providing refreshments for the meeting.

Closing Prayer: Father Jay

The meeting was adjourned at 7:55M.

Next meeting - Thursday, September 20; 6:30PM in the rectory.

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