St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church

14908 Main Street

Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772

Minutes Feb. 2009

email: rectory@stmarysum.org

Business Hours for the Rectory 10am - 5pm Monday through Friday (301) 627-3255

Pastoral Council

St. Mary of the Assumption

Minutes of February 19, 2009

Present: Fr. William Foley, Pastor Steve Showalter, School Principal

Fr. Mark White, Associate Pastor Sr. Myra Gilbart

Robert Braswell, President Regina Piazza

Paul Sukalo, Vice President Andrew Smith

Josephine Clay, Secretary Mimi Smith

Joseph DeCesaris

Absent: Barbara Fealy Lisa Huntley

Annette Gilbert-Jackson Gloria Garner

Charles Long

Johanna André

Guest: Kathy Vassallo, St. Mary’s School

I. Opening Prayer / Introductions

Mr. Braswell called the meeting to order at approximately 7:32 p.m and welcomed everyone. Fr. Foley opened the session with a prayer.

II. Minutes of the January 15 Meeting

These minutes were posted on the parish website prior to the February meeting in. The minutes were also electronically distributed to the Council members. Numerous hard copies of the minutes were available for review at the meeting. Sr. Myra commented on the word “vice” in the first paragraph of the Principal’s Report and to have it changed to “versus.” Change of diction has been noted. Andy Smith moved to approve the minutes and Mimi Smith seconded the motion. All members unanimously approved that: “the minutes of the January 15^th meeting be accepted as written with the noted change.”

III. Committee Reports

A. Principal’s Report

Mr. Showalter noted that the registration season has started. The registration packets were disseminated on February 18, 2009. The desire to have a Catholic and non-Catholic tuition rates has been apparent; however, the School Advisory Board Finance Subcommittee would need to make a cost benefit analysis. There is a need to come up with a substantial tuition increase to cover projected shortfalls caused by expected declines in enrollment for 2009-2010. Such an increase — if fully implemented — would exceed 10 percent and require the approval of the Archdiocese. The tuition rate for 2008 school year was $4,770.00 for parishioners and $6,190.00 for non-parishioners. A nine-percent increase with a 22 percent increase for the second child was anticipated, helping to meet tuition levels set at other Catholic schools in the county. In assessing the tuition rate, there was a gross disparity in the increase of rates charged. As a result, the rates were adjusted to normal practices in other schools.

Ninety percent of the SMA student population is Catholic. Forty-eight percent live outside the 20772 zip code.

Fr. Foley commented that behind the tuition rates is the definition of parishioner. A parishioner is one who actively practices one’s faith. The other supplemental idea is to have other parishes give our school financial support.

Mr. Showalter noted that it was too early to tell how the Catholic Schools Week fared in terms of response. He has received inquiries through emails and personal visits. He noted that the Archdiocese has increased its tuition assistance and has extended the application deadline.

Josephine Clay inquired the status of the health room in the school. Mr. Showalter noted that the appropriate venue for the issue was the School Advisory Board. However, he did report that the school presently did not have a school nurse. Mimi Smith noted that the school followed the proper protocol for sick children management. Mr. Showalter indicated that Mrs. Meyer and Mrs. Vassallo could dispense over-the-counter medicine.

B. Knights of Columbus

Andy Smith reported on the Knights’ activities. During the Catholic Schools Week, the Knights provided breakfast and there was a huge turn out. Next year’s plan would be for the school band to play.

On February 7, the Knights served Italian Dinner, which was a successful night. On February 10, a Healing Mass was held at St. Mary’s. The next Healing Mass would be on March 3, which would be part of the parish mission. On February 17, the Knights fed the homeless. On February 24, there would be Shrove Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

C. Liturgy Committee

The committee is preparing for Lent. A meeting was held on February 7 and the next meeting was scheduled for March 7. Regina Piazza completed the Lenten booklet to be distributed after Mass this weekend (February 21-22). This week the parish would be collecting palms from last year. After the 11:30 Mass, the Boy Scouts would burn the palms for Ash Wednesday.

Starting this Ash Wednesday, communion would be given in both species. During the Sundays in Lent, both species would be given in one Mass, alternating between 9:30 a.m and 11:30 a.m.

The parish mission would start February 28 through March 4. Fr. Kennedy would lead the mission.

Sunday vespers have been scheduled for March 8 through April 5. There would be a Scripture study on St. Paul’s first and second letters to the Corinthians. This study has been scheduled for April 5.

St. Mary’s is participating in the national “40 Days for Life” campaign. The parish has committed to fast and pray at the abortion mill in Berwyn Heights on February 28 and March 28 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. A parishioner from Jesus of the Divine Word parish community has volunteered to coordinate this national movement. A sign-up sheet for various times was available to the Council members.

D. Website Update

An online volunteer sign-up sheet was added to the website. The parish office received two volunteer forms and one for the Gabriel Network.

E. St. Vincent DePaul Society Coordination

In light of some Council members expressing an interest to help St. Vincent de Paul Society, Rob Braswell reported contacting Chris Gomez, president of the SMA SVDP Chapter. He was informed that SVDP needed experts in matters of law and in referrals to the County assistance programs. It was noted there was a need to help SVDP make the parish aware of its activity as a parish social ministry, as Mr. Gomez reported. Mr. Braswell said he was invited to the next SVDP meeting and would report further at the March council meeting.

IV. Lenten Retreats

A. Invitation to Come Back

During this Lent, the Archdiocese has extended an invitation to inactive Catholics. Fr. Foley would distribute a questionnaire for the First Reconciliation session. He indicated that the questionnaire generated a lot of email response. These responses revealed a lot of misinformation about the teaching of the Catholic Church.

B. Parish Missions

1. Fr. Kennedy, an entertaining and profound priest, would be the parish missionary. He would discuss iconography and Eastern spirituality.

2. The Holy Rosary Catholic Church would have a parish mission with Archbishop Foley on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week (February 23-25)

3. Mark Forrest would be singing and discussing the Eucharist on March 11 from 7:00 p.m to 9 p.m.

4. The Cursillo Movement would have a men’s retreat on March 12-15. Tom Molineaux was the director for the parish last year.

V. Building Programs

Fr Foley presented an update on the various parish building programs. The plans for the Family Center are moving along. The development is in the building permit phase. Hopefully, this project would be in the Archdiocese’s next agenda so it could move forward to the bidding phase.

Stabilization efforts on the Crandall-Rothstein House would begin in March. This structure may eventually serve as the priests’ residence once all renovations are completed.

As to the Parish Office (to be located where current rectory is), there is a need to make a final design (not necessarily the architect’s drawing). Additionally, there are needs for a capital campaign and an approval from the Archdiocese.

VI. Hospitality Committee/Ministries Coordination

The Council and the Hospitality Committee would collaborate in promoting various ministries. A ministry handbook would be a helpful reference. Rob Braswell collected information on 6-7 ministries. He developed a draft summary of the Lector ministry. The goal was to have the handbook available during the hospitality weekends. It would be prudent to have a ministry handbook to be passed down. Some materials were found in a closet where the Liturgy Committee held its meetings.

Fr. Foley noted that the planning phase for the September parish picnic should take place soon. For example, a March meeting agenda ought to discuss the date in September and the theme for the picnic. Depending on the weather, the proposed date for the picnic would be the third weekend in September.

VII. New Business

Kathy Vassallo, an administrative staff of St. Mary’s and liaison for St. Mary’s, expressed that the Open House this year was better than last year. She indicated that St. Mary’s could advertise its open house and registration with a banner. The best recruitment tool, however, is word of mouth.

Other forms of advertisement were discussed such as updating the website. The site must be updated and current. The students would also provide free publicity by being ambassadors of the school.

Per Regina Piazza, Colleen Baxter contributed articles to the local paper within the Marlton area. She would inquire if St. Mary’s could advertise through the local paper.

There was a suggestion to publish a summary of the Parish Council minutes in the parish bulletin. The summary would be 50 words or less.

VIII. Closing Prayer and Adjournment

Fr. White led the closing prayer. Meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m.