ST. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church

14908 Main Street

Upper Marlboro, Maryland  20772

email:  rectory@stmarysum.org

Business Hours for the Rectory 10am - 5pm Monday through Friday

St. Mary of the Assumption Parish Council

Minutes of 1/31/08 meeting

Present:         Fr. Bill Foley                                        Kathy Wyvill

                        Fr. Mark White                                    Gloria Garner

                        Sue Payne                                            Larry Horton

                        Steve Showalter                                   Annette Gilbert-Jackson

                        Regina Piazza                                       Josephine Clay

                        Mary Sekela

            The meeting started at 7:35 p.m.  Fr. Foley opened the meeting with a prayer.

Summary of March For Life

            There were two buses with Lisa Larsen and Regina Piazza, the organizers, riding on each bus.  Regina’s bus had 25 marchers.  There was no number provided in Lisa’s bus.

            The buses left St. Mary’s @ 7:15 a.m.  The plan was to sit together @ Verizon Center.  Because Verizon was crowded, the marchers were separated.  The contingency plan was to meet @ an identified location, where all could eat lunch.  The rally was not as loud as last year.  Fr. Baer joined St. Mary’s for lunch.  Frs. Foley & White marched with the group.

            St. Mary’s banner appeared on TV.  Mike Piazza, Brian Ayres & Ryan Harris held the banner during the march.  (Hurray – got a byte of fame.)

            For next year, there is a plan to leave around 6:00 a.m.  Perhaps, someone could reserve seats for St. Mary’s ahead of time because this year’s rally had plenty of reserved seats.  Nonetheless, the Mass & rally were great for the children.  A comment was made that the Pro-Choice crowd was not visible.  There were approximately 200,000 marchers.  Steve Agrisano did a shout out for St. Mary’s.  St. Mary’s would continue to participate

St. Mary’s School also participated.  Similar positive comments were shared. 

Liturgy Committee Report

            Copies of the booklet Lent 2008 were handed out as an advance copy.  The idea was to inform parishioners and address frequently asked questions.  The booklet also included RCIA information and explanation.  Names of catechumenate were included but no photos. 

The booklet could have bulletin inserts.  It would be handed out on 2/2/08 and 2/3/08.  It would be sent to Bill for publication in the website.

A discussion of the schedule for the first Sunday of Lent (2/10/08) ensued.  At 9:30 a.m. Mass, RCIA candidates would be presented with the Rite of Sending Forth and Election.  On the same day, Fr. White would lead a study on St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians.  At 5:00 p.m., there would be Sunday vespers, at 6:00 p.m. would be the reception and at 7:00 p.m., Mark Forest would sing during Adoration.  The cost is goodwill offering.  Notices for these spiritually enriching events were in the bulleting for the 1/26 & 2/2 weekend Mass.

            There would be a procession on Palm Sunday.  Confessions would be on Wednesdays.  Stations of the Cross would be on Fridays.  St. Mary’s School would schedule Stations of the Cross on 2/8, 2/22 and 2/29 with different groups (PK –2, Grades 3-5 and Grades 6-8) going to church.

            The Lenten schedules were in the booklet.  There would be a surprise handout on the first Sunday of Lent.  The committee would need help in distributing the surprise.

            The committee would meet on 2/2/08 to plan for Holy Week.  It would start at 8:30 a.m. in the PCR on the first Saturday of the month.

St. Vincent de Paul

            Nine individuals expressed getting involved.  There would be a gathering in the PCR on 2/17 @ 10:30 a.m. to discuss the formation process.  Deacon Klco would be present.  St. Mary’s would associate with another parish that would act as a sponsor.

Social Concerns

            There are numerous parish activities actively involved in helping the poor e.g. Thanksgiving baskets, food distribution, etc.  The parish ministries, however, are not getting credit or recognized.  In light of these silent works of mercy, there is a need to communicate to the parish community as to what is being done for the poor – to spread the good news. 

            A proposal was made that a person in the Parish Council initiate communication e.g. Right to Life.  Beverly Sesker and Linda Trott would probably know more information about the parish’s social actions. 

            Discussion followed about possible solutions.  The bulletin would be a source of information (Susan).  Another suggested having a dialogue within the parish.  Consider blogging various activities e.g. Teen Club hosted dinner for the homeless with photos in church, Caring Tree and Pregnancy Centers sent thank you notes.  These notes could be inserted in the bulletin. 

            A further suggestion was made to keep a record of involvement by various ministries (Mary).  Have these works summarized and published.  Annette Jackson would shepherd this project.  The goal is to publish around Thanksgiving.  The different ministries, including St. Mary’s School and CCD, would notify Annette.

Welcoming Committee

            The goal of the committee is to reach out to new parishioners, particularly those who are not registered.  Susan passes a handout, which is an example of what a realtor will provide concerning community resources like school and church.  The handout includes what is available in the community.  A sample of a welcome brochure from another church is passed around (Fr. Foley).  The key is publicity – to get the word out through published materials or the Internet.  (Larry will check on the registration information in the parish’s website.)

            The parish statistics show that there are 1100 families.  About 1/3 practice the faith.  The remaining may not be participating due to health reasons or no means of transportation.  The focus becomes how to find these people and what could be provided to them.  Because of all these questions, it is recommended to invite the Welcoming Committee to the next council meeting to address transportation for parishioners without means.

            Larry mentioned that the Archdiocese is focusing on service to the community in terms of addressing human needs and services for the homebound.  These issues may not be under the Welcome Committee but for an outreach group.  Regina pointed out the need for the Welcome Committee to define its exact role and identify what is available perhaps. 

            As to the outreach efforts, one is needed to coordinate resources for homebound parishioners.  A layperson is can be the coordinator e.g. EEM to give communion and assess the needs of the communicant/community.

            A discussion ensued concerning the needs of the parish:  sacramental, transportation, and household maintenance.  The last one could perhaps be a new ministry.  We must discern our needs.

            To summarize, the plan of action is to define the Welcome Committee’s area of responsibility and to what extent the Committee does.  Invite the members to the next meeting.  Gloria will provide findings and publish them in the website.

Parish Directory

There is a need to update the directory.  The Archbishop requests names, phone, and addresses of parishioners.  The information, however, is inaccurate.  Updated information is relevant because assessment of donation (through Archbishop’s Appeal) is based on registered parishioners.  Gloria Garner will work on the directory project.

Pictorial Directory

                        Olan Mills handled the photography for the parish in the past.  Larry Horton explained the process, albeit he was unable to get the materials.  He suggested having a committee to contact parishioners and another to handle the contents of the directory. 

                        In the last pictorial “campaign,” Olan Mills allowed the parish to lay out photos for church activities.  There was a 2-3 week turn around.  The layout was given and there were 17 free pages.

                        There were challenges in this project.  The scheduled day of photo shoot must fill the day or meet a minimum number sessions; otherwise, the photo shoot would be cancelled.  There were complaints of inadequate weekend sessions for working parishioners.  Scheduling was done 3-4 months in advance.

                        Despite these challenges, there were benefits such as families receiving hardbound vice spiral pictorial directory.  People showed up without being signed up.  There was a phone tree to ensure a continuous flow.

                        Another committee is necessary to publicize and plan the pictorial directory.  These committee members will be available during the shooting day.  It will consist of 4-7 members, at least one of who has technical knowledge of photography.

                        The last pictorial directory was around 2004.  It was averaging every 5 years for a new pictorial directory.  There were 210 families in the last shoot with approximately 400-500 active members.

                        To begin this project, start advertising in the bulletin and email.  Mrs. Dearring of HSA is currently getting email addresses from each class.  One suggested using students to contact parishioners as a way of earning volunteer hours.  Start collecting pictures of various church activities.  Larry will spend time with the project chairperson.

History/Archives

            Gloria Garner brought a publication entitled Washington Catholic Historical Magazine.  She authored an article about St. Mary’s.  Permission has been granted to print the article for parishioners.  The article related the early years of St. Mary’s until the Archdiocese took over.  Fr. Foley inquired about old photos being archived.  Gloria, being the recorded archivist, indicated that there were no archived materials for the church.  A group of scrapbookers might want to assist.  The school, however, has archived materials.

            Larry found an electronic copy of various ministries, which was published in November 2001.  There has been an updated copy.

Mission in Church

            Youth 3^rd Millennium approached Larry to consider a mission in church for 2008.  If not, then choose a mission work for 2009.  If a Redemptorist is being considered, then the church must contact them soon.  Fr. White mentioned that there was not enough interest to conduct a mission for Holy Week.  One would be considered, however, in the fall.  Fr. Foley added that consideration ought to be given to 2009 and that the parish must plan now for 2010.  Book who is available for the mission.  A proposal was made to have a 3^rd Millennium type of mission for 2008 or consider another mission.  As an aside, Founder (? Name) died 1/30/08.

Church Maintenance

            Larry expressed that a number of parishioners approached him re: maintenance of church facility.  Was there a person to call when a bathroom was not working?  Linda Trott already started working on that particular bathroom.  If there were a specific issue, it would be best to inform the Rectory.

Scriptural Study

            Fr. White welcomes everyone.  The course is open to all.

Strategic Planning

            Bill Gorman, the goal-setting man, scheduled an appointment with Fr. Foley for 2/8/08 to give an update and continue the process.  Goals and results of the working group will be examined.  There were questions about results.  Fr. Foley accentuated that the results were within us – as the Holy Spirit guides us.  Bill Gorman would lead us to the results.  Need patience.

Family Life Center Building

            The Building Committee met on 1/16/08.  The Archdiocesan consultants challenged the 2-tier structure because the basketball court would be upstairs.  There would be interference in the acoustics.  The change would be to keep the basketball court parallel, keeping the same square footage.  Bill Stehle the engineer would work on the issue.

Bldg adjacent to Rectory

 

An architect would develop a master plan for the church/rectory and gathering space.  Fr. Foley met with the Historical Society to meet County requirements.  Now, St. Mary’s would do the minimum by not letting the building go to waste.  Work required keeping away decay cost less than $25,000.00.  This building could be a rectory. 

A committee is recommended.  It is desirable to present an overall plan, together with the architect’s proposal, to the parish in the last week of April.  Larry asked if the Finance Committee has provided information re: impact on market holdings.  The committee would meet on 2//5/08.

Announcements

·        Fr. White is spearheading a parish pilgrimage in November to see the Holy Father.  Brochure is available.

·        Holy Father to visit Washington in April

·        Sodality-sponsored Mass on 2/2/08 in the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes @ 11:30 in the National Shrine

Meeting adjourned @ 9:20 p.m.

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