St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church

14908 Main Street

Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772

Minutes March 2009

email: rectory@stmarysum.org

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

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Pastoral Council

St. Mary of the Assumption

Minutes of March 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 Barbara Fealy

Josephine Clay, Secretary Mimi Smith

Lisa Huntley Sr. Myra Gilbart

Absent: Annette Gilbert-Jackson Gloria Garner

Charles Long Joseph DeCesaris

Andrew Smith Johanna André

I. Opening Prayer / Introductions

Mr. Braswell called the meeting to order at approximately 7:05 p.m and welcomed everyone. Fr. Foley opened the session with a prayer. Fr. Foley had to leave early to meet with the second graders for their First Reconciliation. Fr. White would be coming.

II. Minutes of the February 19 Meeting

These minutes were posted on the parish website prior to the March meeting. The minutes were also electronically distributed to the Council members. Numerous hard copies of the minutes were available for review at the meeting. A clarification of Archbishop Foley’s name was made to the extent that he came from a different archdiocese. Regina Piazza moved to approve the minutes and Lisa Huntley seconded the motion. All members unanimously approved that “the minutes of the February 19^th meeting be accepted as written.”

III. Committee Reports

A. Principal’s Report

Mr. Showalter enumerated a number of school activities for the coming weeks. First, he noted that students would attend Stations of the Cross at the church during Lent. Students in the intermediate grade level and in junior high school would be attending Benediction after the Stations of the Cross. He further added that on Saturday, March 21, 2009, the second graders would be receiving their first Holy Communion.

Mr. Showalter announced that the Terra Nova standardized tests would be administered during the week of March 23. He noted the importance of having a rock solid academic foundation. Within Prince George's County, St. Mary’s has a high percentage of Catholics within its school population.

The principal continues to interview new families for the school. One of the strong characteristic of the school is the weekly Mass, which is not norm in other schools. He has also emphasized the school’s reputation for a strong academic excellence, which Terra Nova test results would hopefully support.

On April 28, 2009, there would be a field trip for Grades 6, 7, and 8 to Emmitsburg, MD. Fr. Foley and Fr. White would join the field trip and celebrate Mass at the Shrine. The trip would consist of a tour of the white stone house and a brief session with the seminarians, who would testify on their experiences.

There would be three yellow school buses for this pilgrimage. The trip would be from 8:15 a.m. through 4:15 p.m. Non-chaperone parents may join the pilgrimage.

Last, the eight graders would be confirmed on May 1, 2009. Archbishop Gonzalez would officiate the confirmation.

During the principal’s report, Regina Piazza mentioned that the newsletter from Marlton subdivision would accept advertisement of 350 words or less. This newsletter would be a marketing tool for increasing enrollment in the school in addition to banners. Mrs. Piazza indicated that items should be submitted to her or Cathy. Lisa Huntley directed the Council’s attention to activities of the Boy Scout e.g. bicycle safety. Some of these Scouts might live in Marlton.

A sample Marlton newsletter was circulated for review. There was a St. Mary of the Assumption Church article in the newsletter. Coleen Baxter, a parishioner, would handle advertisements. The deadline for advertisements was the 15^th of the month for the following month.

B. Knights of Columbus

Andy Smith was not present at this meeting. There was no report for the activities for the Knights.

C. Liturgy Committee

In the absence of Mr. Smith, Mrs. Piazza provided a report for this committee. She noted that the Knights were tied up with the Liturgy Committee.

The activities for Lent have been delineated in the booklet, which were distributed at the beginning of Lent. The Scripture Study by Fr. White resulted in favorable attendance.

The Mark Forrest concert was well attended due to the presence of the confirmation candidates. A plan for the next concert is currently being considered. The date may be around a confirmation activity.

Mrs. Piazza expressed her gratitude to the February participants for the “40 Days For Life.” All slots were filled for February 28, 2009. Volunteers would still need to fill slots for March 28. The “40 Days …” was a good opportunity to witness and a good lenten activity.

The Parish mission had a rough start due to the cold and damp weather. Fr. Joseph Kennedy preached beautifully on icons. He brought the Scripture to life. The subsequent teachings were well attended.

On April 7, 2009, Fr. Salak would visit St. Mary’s. An e-mail would be sent out as a reminder in addition to the church bulletin insert.

On Holy Wednesday, there would be a Tenebrae service, which would be part of the Liturgy of the Hours. It would last for approximately 45 minutes. The service would start out with the church in candlelight. As the service progressed, the candles were extinguished one at a time. The service would be at an end when the Christ candle has been put out, leaving the congregation in total darkness.

On Good Friday, there would be morning prayer at 8:00 a.m and an outdoor Stations of the Cross at 12 noon. There would also be a recitation of the Divine Mercy chaplet at 2:30 p.m. and followed by the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 p.m. Confessions follow after the Stations of the Cross. There would be another Stations of the Cross at 7:30 p.m.

Rob Braswell mentioned helping with the lector schedule. Larry Horton coordinates with Shirley Byrd, who maintains the lector schedule. An activity with the Teen Club had been scheduled at 10:00 a.m. on Holy Saturday. At 11:00 a.m. there would be a blessing of Easter baskets.

D. SMA Website/Bulletin

The minutes of the Council meeting had been up and running. Photos of the parish activities and the agenda were also published in the website.

Rob Braswell suggested publishing information about the Council in the bulletin once a month for 50 words or less. The bulletin would be a tool to show progress with the Council’s activities.

E. St. Vincent de Paul Society

A discussion among the Council members ensued concerning ways of helping SVDP. Mr. Braswell attended an SVDP meeting, which was an eye opener. Their work has been fantastic, and they needed help in areas of outreach assistance, for example adopting a house in Haiti or Food for the Poor. SDVP also needed aid in navigating government agencies for County social programs. It acquired two new members, one of whom is an attorney. The Council would not necessarily assume the duties of SVDP but facilitate its mission and goals. The goal would be to increase its membership and its funds.

IV. Report on Lenten Activities/April Dean’s Visit

April 7, 2009 would be the Dean’s visit to the parish. Mrs. Piazza had already reported all other Lenten activities.

V. Building Program Update

On March 18, applications for permits were submitted for the Family Center on school grounds. The goal is to have a blessing in October.

On the second week of March, work commenced on stabilizing the Crandall-Rothstein House. It is a $45,000.00 improvement project on the structure. This house would be used as a rectory and possible residence for the pastor. The current rectory has parish office. There would be a meeting with the architect on March 25. A revised plan would be presented to the Archdiocese reflecting three capital campaign projects: two on church grounds and one on school premises.

VI. Hospitality Committee/Ministries Spotlight

There is a monthly hospitality with outreach activity within the parish. For March, there will be flyers and tables that will be available, spotlighting the Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers. The flyers will have a brief explanation of the ministry. Next month, the Lector Ministry would be in the spotlight. The ultimate goal is to have a handbook consolidating important information on the various ministries.

VII. SMA September Picnic/Ministries Fair

The tentative date for the parish picnic is September 20. The date will also serve as a ministry fair. The picnic will take place after the 11:30 a.m Mass in school. This date will coincide with the CYO Banquet. Sam Koroma needs to be informed, should Mr. Koroma take over CYO at the school. Mr. Smith of KOC will continue to support this activity.

In the meantime, there are many stages involved in the parish picnic such as planning, preparation of ministry fair and selection and coordination of games for the children. An early start is most judicious.

VIII. New Business

• Council meetings will start at 7:00 p.m instead of 7:30 p.m. The earlier time provides more parking space for members.

• The last meeting for the 2008-09 Council will be in June. The April meeting will address preparations for May elections.

• Ministering Holy Communion with both Consecrated Host and Precious Blood created a little congestion around the ground floor choir area. It got really crowded around the wings/sides of the church. A suggestion was made about giving Holy Communion by tincture, that is, dipping the Consecrated Host in the Precious Blood. Mrs. Piazza would bring these logistical concerns to Fr. Foley.

IX. Closing Prayer and Adjournment

Fr. White led the closing prayer. Meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.