St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church

14908 Main Street

Upper Marlboro, Maryland  20772

Minutes Nov. 2009

email:  rectory@stmarysum.org

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

PDF Copy Minutes - November

Pastoral Council

St. Mary of the Assumption

Minutes of November 19, 2009

Present:            Fr. William Foley, Pastor                                   Sr. Myra Gilbart 

                           Robert Braswell, President                                Noel A’Hearn 

                           Mimi Smith, Vice President                               Josephine Clay, Secretary

                           Steve Showalter, School Principal

Absent:             Fr. Kevin Cusick, Associate Pastor                   Andrew Smith

                           Joseph DeCesaris                                                Regina Piazza

   Johanna André                                                    Paul Sukalo

                           Lisa Huntley                                                        Debbie Jones 

   Ruth Long

I.       Opening Prayer / Introductions

Mr. Braswell called the meeting to order at approximately 7:15 p.m.  Fr. Foley had to take leave and proceed to the church to welcome new members of the parish who recently elected to become Catholics.

II. Minutes of the October 15 Meeting

These minutes were posted on the parish website prior to the November meeting.  The minutes were also electronically distributed to the Council members. 

There was no quorum present.  The members reviewed the minutes and were invited to make amendments.   Sr. Myra commented on the difference between the Sisters of Charity and the Missionary Sisters of Charity as the order was referenced in the minutes.  Verification of the accurate religious order was noted. 

III. Committee Reports

A.     Knights of Columbus

No report.  Andy Smith was out of town during this meeting.

B.     Liturgy Committee

On December 20, the parish would hold Lessons and Carols, which was organized by Dot Ridley.  There would also be a liturgical dance.

Rob Braswell reported that in November, the Pastoral Council issued its first newsletter Pastoral Council Update.  This update would inform individuals of the activities within the parish and would also be a means of communication for a better coordination of social justice projects.   For example, the parish would accept donations of turkeys this weekend after Mass.  Yet, another collection of pies and frozen turkey was scheduled for November 21, 22 and 23.  There would be a total of 60 turkeys from two separate groups, with each group collecting 30 turkeys.

For the December Pastoral Council Update, the parish would be informed of liturgical events.  There would be an ecumenical liturgical service where invitations were extended to the Episcopalian, Methodist and other churches.

Mr. Braswell opened a forum for ideas for next month’s update.  It was suggested that January focus on family.  February was open for ideas.  March would be on Lent or missions.

Presently, there are two Christmas trees:  the Giving Tree and the Angel Tree (intention tree).  The Giving Tree was a project of the IHM Sisters.  There would be two separate meetings concerning management of these trees.

There was a suggestion for a St. Mary of the Assumption Church apparel for the candidates of the Sacrament of Confirmation.   A blazer bearing the SMOA name on it would be worn by the candidate during liturgy.  The blazer belongs to the church and would be re-worn by the next candidate.

C.     Capital Campaign Update

Mr. Braswell reviewed the campaign by identifying the three projects:  The Family Life Center (to be named in honor of Msgr. Hughes) would be erected in the area of the school shed towards the woods, building over the lower soccer field.  The new PCR would be on the site of the old rectory.  The residence for the priests would be the historic building, known as Crandall Rothstein House, which is adjacent to the church.

The campaign has been in full swing.  Out of the $6 million goal, the parish achieved 40%.  On December 7, the parish would launch a phonathon.  Volunteers would inform parishioners about the campaign and ask for a pledge.  There would be pizza and drinks.  Council members were needed to commit with the phonathon.  An email would be sent to the Council members concerning this phonathon.  Sr. Myra and Noel A’Hearn volunteered. 

There was a question to clarify the pledge cards.  These pledge cards were initially mailed.  The cards, however, involved two phases.  The first phase targeted the parishioners who have donated a certain amount historically.  The second phase entailed specific cards for the location of each project.  In the phonathon, volunteers would call the ones who have not responded.  The donations could be earmarked for a certain project.

D.    Principal’s Report

Steve Showalter expressed a desire to promote the Family Life Center to the parish community.  Some parishioners, however, lacked appreciation for the center because they have left the school.  Nonetheless, Mr. Showalter circulated a sample schedule of how the Center would be utilized.  Tammy Sheppard mentioned building the center bigger in anticipation of bigger activities.  The current idea for the center may encounter unknown demands in the future.

To promote a synergy and collaboration between the parish and school community, Mr. Showalter exhibited samples of St. Mary of the Assumption School apparel to the Council.  There were different styles of font for the SMOA emblem on the golf/polo shirt.  There was a windbreaker also.  These were fundraising items in addition to the usual mugs and other school paraphernalia.

Another idea was to invite the school alumni.  Make the alumni feel welcome and reengage them with school activity.  For example, invite the alumni to a spring event like the play Wizard of Oz or dinner.  Another idea would be to dedicate a night to the alumni for fundraising.  Mr. Showalter mentioned that there was little history of the school and would continue his research.

Other ideas included having the alumni for wine and cheese – similar to the Bishop McNamara High School and Lorraine reunion.  A certain percentage of these high school alumni attended SMOA.  There would be a membership roster with different levels of membership e.g. $20.00 for gold membership.

A question was posed concerning a “traffic cop” for the Life Center’s schedule.  It was suggested that the Council be involved to the extent advisory functions were involved.  An event coordination sheet would be necessary and that requests would be made on line or on paper.

IV.  Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Leadership

      The CYO Board needed reorganization.  The focus of the CYO should extend outside sports and include scouting, Teen Club and other youth organizations.  Fr. Cusick would oversee the youth activities.

V.           Thanksgiving/Christmas Baskets Outreach

There is no new item to discuss.  References concerning this outreach were made in the Liturgical Committee report.

VI.        New Business

Campus Clean-up

Fr. Foley would like the Council to take the lead in a clean up effort of the church campus, particularly under the PCR and rectory.  Mr. Braswell, however, noted that a safety assessment would need to be completed first. 

VII.     Closing Prayer and Adjournment

      Sr. Myra led the closing prayer.  The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:20 p.m.

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