1

Parish Staff/Trustees Parish Council (Term Exp) Other Attendees

Rev. Thomas Sas Ex-officio Dcn. John McKaig Gale Busemeyer (T) Doug Meyer (T) Non-voting Kathleen Filosa, DMM Kelly Henderschedt, DRE

√ √ R √ R√

* Barbara Meyer (P) (05/15) * Gil Thompson (VP) (05/15) * Paulette Adams (05/15) ** Haley Fox (Youth Rep) (n/a) * Nanette Frost (05/17) ** Anne Hooker (05/17) * Carlos Pina (05/15) ** Matt Wilson (S) (05/17)

√ √ √ √ R R √ √

Nadia Bodey Jim Castellani Sheri Dursin Cheryl Egazarian Jennifer O’Neill Doug Thibodeau

A R A R R A

*Elected Members **Appointed Members (T-Trustees) (P-President) (VP-Vice President) (S-Secretary) √=present R=regrets A=absent

I. CALL TO ORDER – PC President, B. Meyer 7:05 PM

II. OPENING PRAYER- Fr. Sas

III. PARISHIONERS’ COMMENTS – Barbara Meyer said that there is a lot of enthusiasm for the garden. Deacon John reported that visitors were complimentary about the people of the parish, the mass, the

feeling of community, and that they feel welcome.

IV. REVIEW MINUTES of March 10, 2015 – All Father Sas motioned to approve, Paulette Adams seconded.

V. PASTOR’S COMMENTS – Fr. Thomas Sas The audit took only one day and was conducted near the end of March. The auditor seemed satisfied

with our procedures. The K of C is renovating the kitchen, and Father Sas recommended renovation of the bathrooms. The lighting engineer made money-saving suggestions, e.g., switching electricity suppliers, turning off

the parking lot lights after 10 p.m., and removing Eversource lights from poles in front to save $100-$150/month.

The dedication of the garden will be May 17. Pastoral Planning will include a parish survey, and meeting with other parishes, priests, deacons, and

focus groups. Refer to attached Pastor’s Report (Attachment 1) for additional items.

VI. DEACON’S COMMENTS – Deacon John McKaig St Agnes parish in Dalton, MA uses Ministry Schedule Pro software and saw a two-fold increase in

volunteerism for servers, greeters and readers. The cost is $20 to $26/month. The software can be programmed to send out automatic reminders. There is not a lot of upfront effort. Phone support is available. Deacon John distributed copies of the brochure (Attachment 9)

VII. COMMITTEE/MINISTRY REPORTS

PASTORAL CARE Bereavement Ministry – Gil Thompson

Training of designated facilitators on April 18, 2015.

St. John Fisher - Parish Council Minutes from Meeting – May 12, 2015

(with Attachments #1 through #9)

2

There is a 10-week program using “The New Day Journal: A Journey from Grief to Healing” by Sr Maureen O’Brien that the ministry decided to try from September 9 through November 11. Gil suggested flyers, putting a notice in the Catholic Reporter or local paper.

Nan Frost said that her mother appreciated a similar program. Refer to report (Attachment 2) for additional information.

Christian Outreach Committee – Barbara Meyer The Annual Plan will be placed on website. The committee met during lent “Sandwich Night”,

Comfort & Warmth Prayer Shawl Ministry – Father Sas (for Christine Czuj and Mary Horrigan)

The ministry met last Saturday (May 9). Some members are knitting/crocheting at home. Currently, there is an adequate supply of bereavement blankets.

Prayer Line – Sheri Dursin

A suggestion was made to consider combining with prayer shawl ministry

Refer to report (Attachment 7) for additional information. LITURGICAL Altar Serving Ministry – Nadia Bodey

Older servers are mentoring new, younger servers. Eucharistic Ministry – Father Sas

Father Sas said that one new person was waiting for email from the Office of Divine Worship. Gil Thompson reported that he attended a session at Marlborough Health Care Center.

Greeting Ministry - Bill & Janette Dziatko

No report Liturgical Committee – Fr. Sas

Father Sas complimented the Easter decorating led by Sandy Schultz. Music Ministry – Kathleen Filosa, Director

Refer to report (Attachment 3) for additional information. Lector Ministry

No report. EDUCATION & FAITH DEVELOPMENT Faith Formation – Kelly Henderschedt, DRE

Kelly requested that anyone who knows any kindergarten kids tell their parents that Faith Formation is resuming in the fall, and that there is an application form on the website.

The ministry will send out a booklet for confirmation sponsors. Kelly thanked Fr Sas for getting the word out for the workshops. Approximately 20 attended each

workshop. A brochure will be developed this summer. Refer to report (Attachment 4) for additional information.

Youth Ministry – Jennifer O’Neil

Haley Fox reached out to other teens. Refer to report (Attachment 5) for additional information.

RCIA- Jim Castellani – No report. ADMINISTRATIVE Finance Council – Father Sas

The Finance Council last met in January, and will meet again in June. People are excited about the renovations, and it has impacted donations. Online giving helps, approximately 42 people are participating in online giving.

3

Approximately 200 people use envelopes. Maintenance Committee - Doug Thibodeau

Father Sas reported that Doug Thibodeau contacted a company about drainage by the kitchen door. The rot around the door of frame of St Thomas Moore Hall needs repair. Rectory shingles need replacement because of leaks in dining room and front windows.

Communications Ministry – Cheryl Egazarian

Refer to report (Attachment 6) for additional information. Web Ministry – Gil Thompson

The number of visitors is flat, but got a good bump at Easter. Still trying to update website. Need to migrate to a new language and possibly a new template.

Security is a priority. Refer to report (Attachment 8) for additional information.

PARISH LIFE Welcome Ministry – Sheri Dursin

Refer to report (Attachment 7) for additional information. Social Committee

Refer to report (Attachment 6) for additional information. Knights of Columbus – Subby Magro

Doug Meyer reported that the golf tournament was well attended. Men’s Prayer Group – Peter Yorio, Mike O’Neill

Deacon John reported. Women’s Faith Group – on hiatus

Refer to report (Attachment 7) for additional information.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS – None

IX. NEW BUSINESS – Terms are up for several members. Will call for other members over summer. Election of officers will be at September 8 meeting.

X. NEXT MEETING - Tuesday, September 8, 2015; ( 7:00-8:30 PM )

Email Committee Reports to Matt Wilson (mwilsonct@gmail.com) by September 1, 2015

XI. ADJOURNMENT – 8:34 PM Motion (Gil Thompson.); 2nd (Nan Frost)

XII. CLOSING PRAYER - Offered by Father Sas

4

(Attachment 1) (submitted by Fr. Sas – May 5, 2015) (Page 1 of 1)

Pastor’s Report – May 2015 Finally the weather has changed from snow and ice to warm sunshine and growing things! Since our last meeting, we’ve celebrated the Triduum, Easter, and 1st Communions. All were, in my humble opinion, beautiful and uplifting, spirit-filled, with appropriate music and a well decorated church. The parish continues to be enthusiastic with a sense of excitement of what we can and will accomplish next.

In 2016 the parish building will turn 40 years old. We already had a makeover of St. Thomas More Hall. Next, thanks to the Knights, will come a renovation of the kitchen space and, I hope, the bathrooms. Doug Thibodeau is soliciting bids for new flooring in the church. We have consulted with a lighting engineer about updates to the lights upstairs. You have already noticed (I hope) the new parking lot lights as well as LED lights on the outside of the church. When that project is finished, we will get rid of the 2 lamps on the telephone poles in front of the church from Eversource which will lead to significant savings to our electric bill.

The garden committee headed up by 3 teenage young women with the assistance of Peg Filloramo and other adults has built 4 raised bed gardens to grow food for the Marlborough food bank and other organizations which feed the hungry. A dedication ceremony is planned for May 17th.

The parish has now got in place a Bereavement Committee which is starting to get its feet wet as it initiates a process for reaching out to help those who are grieving.

Financially, we’re doing well. We were audited by the Archdiocese at the end of May. As of right now, no report has been handed to us; but the audit only took one day and the auditor seemed to be satisfied with our procedures. I suspect that there are a few minor things she found; otherwise her trip would be in vain!

Pastoral Planning is taking place. Everybody is invited in to the process as we heard this weekend. I’m attending a meeting this Wednesday to contribute to the process.

This is an overview of what’s been going on and what is to come. As your pastor I am well pleased with everyone’s work and effort to making St. John Fisher Parish so enjoyable and with a sense of community and family. More and more, gifts of more and more are being used for the building up of God’s Kingdom in our little place in the world. Have a safe and enjoyable summer. See you at church! If not, send in your envelopes!

5

(Attachment 2) (submitted by Gil Thompson – May 12, 2015) (Page 1 of 1)

Bereavement Ministry - The Bereavement Ministry members, Maura Masotti, Barbara Meyer and Gil Thompson, attended facilitator training in North Haven on April 18th. The emphasis was on a ten session program utilizing a workbook called “The New Day Journal: A journey from grief to healing” written by Sister Maureen O’Brien. The Bereavement Ministry met again on May 1st to decide whether to implement this program in our parish, and if so, how. We decide to try the program in the Fall and selected September 9 ‐ November 11, 7:00pm ‐ 8:30pm for 10 consecutive Wednesdays. We agreed to 5 training & familiarization sessions prior to starting our parish program. Several details need to be worked on in advance, such as advertising, location, seating, and so on.

“The New Day Journal offers a structured approach to facing the death of a loved one. Based on the belief that writing and sharing one’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences is one of the most helpful ways to move beyond pain and loss …”

6

(Attachment 3)

(submitted by Kathleen Filosa – May 12, 2015) (Page 1 of 1) Music Ministry Easter went extremely well, we had music at all the masses for Holy Week. Children’s Genesis Choir wrapped up its season on May 1 although most of the kids expressed an interest to continue through the summer. Adult Worship Choir wraps up its season on June 7 (Feast of Corpus Christi)

We are in the works for perhaps holding a fund raiser in the fall to go toward the purchase of new sound equipment.

7

(Attachment 4) (submitted by Kelly Henderschedt – May 10, 2015) (Page 1 of 1)

Faith Formation First “Spring Semester” of Faith Basics completed. We had a very good start to this new program. Workshop attendance averaged around 20 people. Plans are being made for the “Fall Semester” and lots of good promotion will be done to communicate these future workshops to all parishioners. Twenty six second graders received the beautiful sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time on May 2nd. Many of these children attended the May Crowning the following Sunday. Please pray that the parents of these children will bring them to the table of the Lord often! The elementary Faith Formation program ended in mid-April and the Faith Fair was a wonderful culminating experience of all that these children have learned throughout the year. Attendance at the Fair was very good. Please pray for God to continue to call people forward for this ministry, as there are several catechists who aren’t able to teach next year and there will be spots to fill. The Middle School program is almost done, with one more 7th grade class left. Confirmation program: The last few classes for the 9th graders included guest speakers who talked to the kids about living out the faith. Jen can explain more about these visitors at the council meeting. We are planning a Social/Spiritual event for Confirmation candidates and their sponsors for May 31st. A booklet entitled “Congratulations! You’re a Confirmation Sponsor” was mailed out to all sponsors this year. These are new initiatives in hopes of helping these sponsors take a more active role in this process and allow these people to grow spiritually alongside their candidate during this sacramental preparation journey. A special Mass for graduating high school seniors is scheduled for June 13th at the Vigil Mass.

8

(Attachment 5) (submitted by Jen O’Neil – May 11, 2015) (Page 1 of 1)

Youth Ministry Well the weather is finally not an issue for the monthly teen night meetings. After a rough winter due, we had a successful movie night during April vacation and an evening of games and bowling in May. We continue to have a core group of between 8-12 teens mainly freshmen and sophomores in high school. This is encouraging as I feel this group will continue in the coming years as we gain new members with each freshmen class. The feedback continues to be positive and we plan to end the year with a cookout and outdoor game night in June. In addition to the monthly teen meetings, we also are in the process of planning with Kelly Henderschedt, to recognize our high school seniors at the 4:00pm mass on Saturday, 13th . We are also planning an evening for our entire high school community to come hear a speaker address the issues of high school stress and the role your faith can play in dealing with the pressures of being a teenager. We also sent out prayer packets to several college aged parishioners to remind them that we, as a faith community, continue to prayer for their safety and success. On a related note, the three young women from last year's Confirmation class responsible for starting the St. John Fisher Community Garden, continue to be a part of the leadership team expanding the garden to include four raised beds in the back of the church. Working with Peg Filloramo and a committee of parishioners, the garden continues to grow and expand and is open to all. The dedication will take place next Sunday after the 10:30 am mass. A special thanks to the Cheryl Egazarian and Gil Thompson for helping with some of the communication needs not only for the teens but also for the Confirmation projects.

9

(Attachment 6) (submitted by Cheryl Egazarian – May 3, 2015) (Page 1 of 1)

Communications Committee - There has not been a lot of activity with the committee in general. •Flyers/posters/announcements to include:

◦lenten activities ◦A Hand Up ◦Youth Group

•Rivereast photos with captions: ◦Easter Bunny Party ◦Last week: STJF meal at Easter for STVdP ◦This week: STJF donates to Food Bank from Ash Wednesday Collection ◦Coming soon: Soup Supper success!

•Rivereast press releases: ◦Marlborough Knights of Columbus Golf Classic ◦Lenten activities ◦Updating News & Notes

•Youth authors continuing to load content - will be working on Spring/Summer additions •Facebook page coming soon •Reminder: all ministries - we are here if you need help with publicity •Sheri & Cheryl to meet soon to discuss upcoming events through the summer and what publicity is needed Social Committee – •Easter bunny party went off without a hitch. There were more teen helpers than attendees and in some way that worked out great! They had a wonderful time enjoying each other and doing fun crafts and games. Sometimes the simple things make life grand! I was so pleased with the day. A huge shout out to Alex Bodey for being our patient and lively Easter Bunny! •No dates coming up at this time.

10

(Attachment 7) (submitted by Sheri Dursin – May 11, 2015) (Page 1 of 1)

Welcome Ministry Since our last Parish Council meeting, one new parishioner has joined the parish and two

families have pending registrations. This time of year we typically see a small increase in new members, as families "officially" join the parish in order to register their first-graders for Faith Formation. The members of our Welcome Ministry continue to reach out to new families as they join.

Women’s Faith Group Our monthly sessions of Women, Wisdom, and the Word are still on hiatus. We're looking

towards the fall to resume activity with this group. We've been in discussions with Fr. Sas about possibly changing the format to a longer in-house retreat for women offered a few times a year. We'll give this a try in the fall and use that opportunity to solicit feedback from the women of the parish to see what kinds of spiritual enrichment they hope to see. This feedback will help us to formulate a plan moving forward. Stay tuned...

Prayer Line This ministry continues to be active and rewarding as we pray for the needs of our

community. We haven't had any new Prayer Line members join since the last Parish Council meeting (or in the past several years). There was talk of dedicating a weekend to after-Mass announcements with an accompanying bulletin piece to make parishioners more aware of this ministry and what if offers as well as to recruit some new members.

11

(Attachment 8) (submitted by Gil Thompson – May 12, 2015) (Page 1 of 1)

12

(Attachment 9) (submitted by Deacon John McKaig – May 12, 2015) (Page 1 of 2)

13