St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church     

14908 Main Street

Upper Marlboro, Maryland  20772

Minutes June 2008

email:  rectory@stmarysum.org

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

Pastoral Council

St. Mary of the Assumption

Minutes of June 12, 2008 Meeting

Present:         Fr. William Foley, Pastor                                  Mr. Larry Horton

                        Fr. Mark White, Associate Pastor                     Mrs. Kathy Wyvill

                        Chairperson Sue Payne                                     Mrs. Gloria Garner

                        Mrs. Myrka “Mimi” Smith                                Ms. Annette Gilbert-Jackson

                        Mr. Robert Braswell                                           Mr. Joseph DeCesaris

                        Mrs. Lisa Huntley                                             Mr. Vernon Griffith

                        Mr. Charlie Long                                              Mr. Andrew Smith

                        Mr. Steven Showalter                                       Mr. Paul Sukalo

                        Mr. Andrew Smith                                            Mrs. Josephine Clay

Absent: Johanna Andre                                     Barbara Fealy

                        Regina Piazza

Introduction

            The meeting was held in the PCR Hall behind St. Mary’s church.  The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m.  Fr. Foley opened the meeting with a special prayer in light of convening a new Pastoral Council for 2008.  After blessing the Council, he explained the role of the Pastoral Council, that is, to help the pastor in identifying and meeting the needs of the numerous ministries of the parish.    Fr. Foley distinguished the Council from the Finance Committee, which has the fiscal responsibility to assist the various parish ministries.

            Chairperson Sue Payne welcomed the new members, namely:

 Robert Braswell                                    Joseph DeCesaris                                 Lisa Huntley 

 Andrew Smith                                      Paul Sukalo                                          Myrka (Mimi) Smith.

Johanna Andre was recently elected.  She, however, was unable to attend this meeting.    The existing Council members, whether outgoing or remaining, introduced themselves to the new members.  A list of current Council membership was distributed.  Kathy Wyvill, Larry Horton, Vernon Griffith, and Sue Payne served their term of membership. 

Minutes of the May 15, 2008 meeting were distributed.  These minutes were not posted in the parish website at the time of the meeting.  The minutes were unanimously approved without corrections or additions.

Advertisement of St. Mary of the Assumption

            In the spirit of making St. Mary of the Assumption’s location known to the community, the possibility of using billboards was considered.  The cost of billboard advertisement was in the neighborhood of $2,500.00 through $3,000.00. 

Another option to a billboard sign was placing another sign by the side entrance of the church.  The size would be similar to the school’s marquee.  There were, however, county and state regulations which needed to be considered.  These regulations would affect the time element of making the sign available.

Robert Braswell suggested using a vinyl sign.  Concerning the cost, funding could be in a form of a grant from the Catholic Press.  The grant would be explored further.  Additionally, Fr. Foley would delve into other ideas and possibilities before making a final decision in September. 

In the meantime, creating a banner with the name of St. Mary’s and the Mass times would be the primary focus at this time.  Lisa Huntley and Robert Braswell would work on the advertisement.

            There were other suggestions of advertising St. Mary’s.  Publications such as the Marlton Advocate, Village News, Bowie Blade, and Gazette were available sources for advertising.  The Bowie Blade and Gazette were used in advertising the Parish Mission events in the past.

Parish Picnic

            The parish picnic will be held on September 14, 2008 at St. Mary’s School after the 11:30 a.m. Mass.  There will be a special planning session concerning this picnic.  This meeting will be on June 26, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the PCR Hall.  Additionally, Fr. Foley will address this matter on August 15, St. Mary of the Assumption Feast Day. 

Traditionally, the Knights of Columbus handles the picnic.  The Parish Council will be actively involved in this endeavor in the spirit of building a bridge between the parish and school communities.  The goal is to get as much representation from each group.

Year of St. Paul

            The Year of St. Paul officially starts in the evening of June 28, 2008 (Feast of St. Irenaeus and Fr. White’s birthday).  The Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul is celebrated on June 29, 2008.  In January, a special feast is also celebrated for the conversion of St. Paul. 

Fr. White has spoken previously in his homilies about St. Paul.  For this summer on Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Fr. White conducts a study session on the Scriptures.  The initial focus will be on St. Paul’s letters to the Romans.  The highlight of the Scriptural study is the parish pilgrimage to St. Paul’s tomb in Rome, Italy.  Fr. White welcomes ideas in ways of celebrating the Pauline year.

Pastoral Council President and Secretary

            The outgoing Council President Sue Payne thanked all the old members and welcomed the new members for the opportunity of being President.  Fr. Foley expressed his gratitude for Sue’s leadership.  The President and Secretary positions were open for elections.  Josephine Clay would remain as Secretary. 

Before the new Council elected a President, the duties of the President were explained.  The President would coordinate the Council meetings.  He would organize an agenda and keep meetings moving.  He would advise Fr. Foley about parish matters.  All members of the Council could run for the position except the ones in ex officio.  

Robert Braswell was nominated and elected President.  Paul Sukalo was nominated and elected Vice-President, and will act in Mr. Braswell’s absence.   A sign-up sheet requesting for email addresses was circulated.

It was noted that Article VI, Section 2 of the Preamble required that each Council member be a member of at least one Standing Committee.  This would be an opportunity to encourage various ministries to communicate one’s needs and to dialogue.  

Fr. Foley mentioned the St. Vincent de Paul Society.  He remarked how it has met the immediate needs of the poor within the community.  There were other ministries throughout the parish.  A list of all ministries would be available for review.

Parish Directory

 Olan Mills will take pictures for the parish directory on the following dates:

Ø      August 15 & 16

Ø      October 8, 9, 10 & 11

Because one of the dates falls on our feast day, the photo session will be coordinated with Ellen Storey of the Welcome Committee.

Miscellaneous

      Gloria Garner expressed the need for volunteers to pack and distribute dry goods for the food bank at Trinity Church.  Once a month on the second Friday at 8:00 a.m., bags of dry goods would be packed for delivery to Trinity Church.  On the second Saturday of each month, food distribution would take place. 

      Gloria Garner mentioned that a tombstone was still laying on the ground in the cemetery.  This situation would be rectified.

      During the summer, there will be no 12:00 p.m. Mass starting June 16, 2008.  There will be a noon Mass, however, on August 15, 2008 followed by an ice cream social except for the 8:00 a.m. Mass. 

      From time to time, the Building Committee and the Finance Committee report to the Parish Council.  Hopefully, the Finance Committee can present a financial report on August 15, 2008.

      The Council agreed to hold regularly scheduled Council meetings on the third Thursday of each month.  The next meeting will be held on September 18, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in St. Mary’s School.

Fr. White closed the meeting with a prayer.  The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

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