Members of the Parish Pastoral Council are: (seated from left) Frank Flood, council president;
Paul Homan, Kathy Richers, Deloris McFadden, Jill Carroll, Mary Johnson, and Frank Canavan.
(Standing from left) Deacon Jim Kane, Al Clay, Father Mike Filippello, Tim Baxter and Frank McCarron.
Not shown are Father Sal Riccio, pastor;  Madelyn McBride and Deacon Art McGuire. 
Members are elected for limited terms or appointed.  Council members are to be the eyes and
ears of the parish, making suggestions and recommendations for the spiritual welfare of all.

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PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting / March 26, 2001

Present: Fr. Riccio, Fr. Filippello, Deacon Kane, Deacon McGuire, Frank Flood, Tim Baxter, Jill Carroll, A1 Clay, Frank Canavan, Paul Homan, Madelyn McBride, Frank McCarron, Kathy Richers Unable to Attend: Mary Johnson, Deloris McFadden

The meeting opened with prayer prepared by Paul Homan.

Corrections to the Minutes of the January 29 Pastoral Council Meeting: Madelyn asked that a correction be made to the minutes pertaining to the parish "Think Tank" on Adult Faith Formation. She said that there was no mention that we "study tolerance" at the February meeting. Deacon Art said that we had 2,500 hits on the parish web site not 25,000 as stated in the minutes.

Reports:

DISCIPLES IN MISSION - Deacon Art reported that we had learned a great deal from last year's Disciples in Mission that helped us in planning this year's program. This year we have 120 people in 10 small faith sharing groups meeting weekly during Lent. Art mentioned that the quality of the meetings appears to also show progress this year with stronger faith sharing. The focus remains on the Scripture readings for the coming Sunday and faith sharing.

ALPHA - This spring we have our 4th parish Alpha program. It is 1O weeks in duration and is centered on the core teachings of Christian Faith. Alpha reaches out to people who may have been away from church but is diverse enough to appeal to committed Christians. The meetings consists of a meal, a video and presentation followed by a group discussion. During the 1O weeks participants actually begin with questions, such as, who is Jesus progressing to actually experiencing Jesus. A discussion ensued with Pastoral members who have attended Alpha in the past wholeheartedly recommending it and mentioning that lasting connections and relationships have been formed. Kathy said some churches offer baby sitting for parents with young children and recommended we consider that in the future. Alpha has been a great team effort. There will another Alpha program starting in September.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION - Madelyn is attending the Montgomery County workshop on Adult Faith Formation. She said we are where we should be relative to our goals for Adult Faith Formation. Madelyn discussed the goals established by the committee, six dimensions of Adult Faith Formation, and the five concrete approaches. Handouts for each were distributed. Basically, we will be concentrating on doctrines of the Catholic Church, using Sunday Scriptural Readings, homilies, etc. our goal will be to initiate a family perspective, "breaking open" the Sunday readings for parish organizations and encouraging a missionary spirit.

TEENS INC. - This week TEENS INC. has a meeting to increase teen's awareness of people with disabilities. Recently, TEENS INC. took a trip to Lancaster that included a theater presentation and pizza. Planned future events include a dance, a summer trip and an evaluation meeting.

CLUSTER IMPLEMENTATION - Tim reported that the Cluster Implementation Committee reported on status of goals at March 1S meeting. Fr. Smith discussed a list of seminar topics on evangelization to be presented to pastors.

Goal, Continuing Education for Lay Ministry - Training for lay ministers has progressed adequately at this point relative to our goal. There will be a day of Recollection for all Cluster Ministers at St. Andrews on April 7 from 9:OO AM to 12:1S PM.

Goal on Catholic Education - A report on promoting Catholic education is being finalized summarizing the activities in the cluster parishes.
Goal on Promoting Vocations - The goal of promoting vocations in the diocese is being fostered by a Vocation Day, reaching out to parents and providing information to Alter Servers.
Goal on Social Justice - Interfaith Hospitality Network supports families who are homeless. Parishes take turns assisting 14 homeless families in Delaware County.

PASTORAL COUNCIL PUBLICITY - There was a brief discussion on how we might publicize the role of the Pastoral Council and who is on the council. The purpose for publicity is so the parishioners have a better understanding of the role and that they might be more likely to approach members with ideas and suggestions. The names of Pastoral Council members will appear in the bulletin in the next couple of weeks.

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE - Father Riccio mentioned that the archdiocese has materials on stewardship and we will try to meet with or talk to someone from the archdiocese who can provide us with information on programs from other parishes. Al mentioned that St. Andrews has a nice brochure listing organizations in the parish which is distributed and interested parishioners can check blocks of ministries of interest. This quarter we will get resources from other parishes/archdiocese and update council at the next meeting.

ELECTIONS FOR PASTORAL COUNCIL - Father Riccio informed the Council that terms would be expiring this year for Pastoral Council members Frank Canavan, Frank Flood and Deloris McFadden. We are looking for parishioners who would make good candidates and are interested in being nominated to Pastoral Council. The nomination process, obtaining biographical information and publication of candidates must take place in the next two weeks so that election can be completed by beginning of May.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
3/28 Stations of the Cross at St. Dorothy's Church prepared by the Social Justice Committee.
3/31 Regional Workshop for Parish Pastoral Council members at Archbishop Carroll 8:3O AM - 3:3O PM
3/31 Parish group going to Radio City Music Hall to see the film "The Face: Jesus in Art"
4/7 Day of Recollection for Parish Ministers
4/7 Possible Meeting of Pastoral Council with Fr. Smith

CLOSING PRAYER

Respectfillly submitted,
Paul Homan

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting / September 25, 2000

Present: Fr. Riccio, Fr. Filippello, Deacon Kane, Deacon McGuire, Jill Carroll, Madelyn McBride, Paul Homan, Frank Canavan, Tim Baxter, Frank McCarron, A1 Clay, Frank Flood, Mary Johnson. Unable to attend: Deloris McFadden, Kathy Richers

The Meeting opened with prayer with all members participating.

Reports:

DISCIPLES IN MISSION - Deacon Kane reported that 30 people participated in the Day of Reflection. Art has agreed to be coordinator for the coming year. Jim would like to once again call for volunteers for Disciples in Mission. We'd like to improve our 100+ participants from last year.

ALPHA - Art Explained that Alpha seeks to present the Gospel in basic truths of the faith. Fr. Otto brought it into the parish. The ideal candidate is someone who is unfamiliar with the faith. There are presently 20 men and women who are participated in Alpha. Madelyn spoke about the connection between ALPHA and RCIA. Members of ALPHA meet once a week over supper for a period of ten weeks.

TEENS INC - Madelyn reported it was begun last year with the 7th and 8~ Grades. The September 16~ meeting opened with a prayer service in Church and a dance in Leonard Hal1. This year, as last year, core members went to the teen's homes and invited them to attend.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION - Madelyn reported that the first meeting was 7-11-00. The Committee is developing a Think Tank - a one time gathering of parishioners - to gain information to help shape the program for Adult Faith Formation. A meeting will be held on 10-5-00 to finalize plans for the Think Tank. It is hoped that the people invited from the parish will be a good cross-section.

CLUSTER PLANNING - Tim Baxter (Lay Ministry Training) related that it is hard to get people to these meetings and to firm up plans for continuing education for lay ministries. An effort is being made to develop 1) A Day of Reflection for Eucharistic Ministers, 2) Adult Education - what type would parishioners want? Tim felt that the Think Tank at St. Francis would give them some input. 3) There are two training courses at Neumann College for members of Pastoral Councils. If anyone is interested, the program will run from 9 AM to 12 PM in Room 246 Saturday 9-30-00. See Tim for further details.

OVERALL CLUSTER PLANNING - Fr. Riccio reported that the first meeting of the fall was held last week. (September 13, 2000) This effort is not to create one big parish including many parishes. It is meant to help individual parishes with resources so we're
not at cross-purposes. For example, not all parishes have the Landings program. Those that have it would help those who do not, if they wish.

After the break a discussion ensued about Stewardship Committee, Evangelization Committee, and Publicity Committee for the Pastoral Council.

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE - The Stewardship Faire will be held on 10-29-00. Fr. Riccio said we do not have an overall Stewardship Committee. Jim Kane felt we need a Stewardship Director. Al Clay feels our Pastoral Council should be a Stewardship Committee or that this Stewardship Committee should report to the Pastoral Council. Fr. Riccio recognizes that there are differing opinions on time, talent, and treasure and the tie -in to a Stewardship Committee.

EVANGELIZATION - Deacon McGuire stated the pastor coordinates all evangelization efforts of the parish. Deacon felt the Evangelization Committee "is a catalyst to promote evangelization throughout the parish."

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE for Pastoral Council - Fr. Riccio said that many parishioners do not know what the Council does. It is very hard to promote ourselves and inform our people. Possibly we will get a table for Pastoral Council at the Stewardship Faire. Fr. Mike suggested posting a picture of the Parish Council members on the web site.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Johnson

Meeting of March 2000

Present: Father Riccio, Deacon Kane, Deacon McGuire, Tim Baxter, Frank Canavan, Fran Cuneo, Frank Flood, Paul Homan, Jim Malloy, Madelyn McBride, Doloris McFadden, Beverly Scarani. Unable to attend: Father Otto, Jill Carroll, Mary Johnson Meeting opened with prayer prepared by Deacon McGuire.

DISCUSSION OF READING ASSIGNMENT We reviewed and discussed the assigned readings: Because God Loves You, A message from the US Catholic Bishops for the Jubilee Year 2000; and Called and Gifted for the Third Millennium, Reflections of the US Catholic Bishops on the 30'h anniversary of the decree on the Apostolate of the Laity and the 15'h anniversary of Called and Gifted.

REPORTS:
DISCIPLES IN MISSION Deacon Kane reported on a meeting held the previous evening for Disciples in Mission group leaders to evaluate how things are going. One important point that came out of that meeting is that there will need to be opportunities for interested participants to continue meeting in small faith sharing groups. Deacon Kane discussed with Council what can be put into place to meet this need; Council members offered numerous suggestions for possible materials to use with the groups including the cost and practicality of available resources. Madelyn McBride offered to pass along helpful materials to Deacon Kane. Father Riccio mentioned that this might be the right time for him to publicly recognize and encourage the work of the Disciples in Mission and its significant place in our parish life.

CLUSTERS
Tim mentioned that the specific committees are using this needed time to unite together in their
implementation roles. Father Riccio mentioned that the next meeting he will be attending is in
May, and will report about it at the next Council meeting.

ALPHA
The response to the current ALPHA series, the second one, has been outstanding, and builds on the success of the previous session. Twenty-nine people are enrolled.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE The nominating committee to oversee this year's election of two elected and one appointed members to Council has been set up. The members are Father Riccio, Deacon McGuire, and Beverly Scarani. Discussion about including one or two young people to the Council was discussed. Father asked Council members to submit suggestions for filling the positions. He also said that he plans to remind the parish community of the impact of the Council's work since its beginning. He will discuss it further at the next meeting and also suggestions for getting the word
out to the parish community about the Council's accomplishments. Council members completing terms are Jim Malloy, Beverly Scarani, and Fran Cuneo.

PARISH WEB PAGE Deacon McGuire showed us an advertisement that he would like to put in the Springfield Press on a weekly basis advertising the parish's internet web address. He reminded us that advertising the Mass schedule in the Press was a suggestion that was agreed in the past. The Council approved the content of the advertisement.

APRIL CONVOCATION It was suggested that an invitation to the Archdiocesan sponsored convocation, 'New Methods of Evangelization in the Third Millennium,' on April 7, 8 and 9, to be held at Temple University be put in the Sunday Bulletin.

PILGRIMAGES It was decided that Father Riccio and Beverly Scarani will work on setting up visits to local shrines during the Jubilee Year.
NEXT MEETING May 22th at 7:30 p.m.
Father Riccio will prepare the prayer, and Deacon Kane will provide refreshments.
-Minutes submitted by Frances M. Cuneo

Present: Father OttO, Deacon Kane, Deacon McGuire, Tim Baxter, Frank Canavan, Fran Cuneo, Frank Flood, Mary Johnson, Paul Homan, Jim Malloy, Madelyn McBride, Doloris McFadden,
Not Able to Attend: Father Riccio, Beverly Scarani
Meeting opened with prayer prepared by Father Otto.

CALLED TO THE NEW EVANGELIZATION Father Otto led us in a good discussion of the assigned reading from Springtime of Evabgelizalion, by John Paul II.

DISCIPLES IN MISSION Deacon Kane reported that approximately 20 had already signed-up to participate during the six Sundays in Lent. He told us that formation materials were available for the teams that provided commentary on the Sunday liturgy. Ed Kistner will train the facilitators and assign them to the small groups. The Family Activity coordinator will ask the school and CCD to invite families to participate in Evangelization.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Madelyn led us in a discussion on determining the pros and cons of establishing an adult religious education committee that could also be called an adult faith formation committee.

The Council quickly recognized that there are only pros for establish 
such a committee in our parish. The following are our suggestions:
° Organize a think tank--invite different age groups within the parish to participate. 
° This group could identify a curriculum based on the parish needs.
°· Reasons why we should have such a committee:  It would benefit
--The Church at home
--Give answers to questions people have; clarify information concerning the Church
--Carry out the objectives of Cluster Pastoral Planning
--Provide a planned comprehensive approach to adult religious education. 

Recommendations--
° Set up a think tank to assess parish needs in this area
° Develop a mission statement for the committee including the objectives 
and responsibilities for the committee 
° Extend a personal invitation to join the committee, AND open 
committee membership to anyone in the parish
° Ask for volunteers by inviting parishioners by way of the web site, bulletin 
° Invite parishioners to give their input on what topics they 
would like the committee to include
° The committee would plan and implement activities
° Include the word 'adult' in the title, Adult Religious Education Committee
° Include a social aspect to this committee

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There were no announcements; the meeting ended promptly so that 
members could attend closing prayers at the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

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Following are the Minutes of Parish Council meeting for November 1999

Present: Father Riccio, Father Otto, Deacon Kane, Deacon McGuire, Tim Baxter, Frank Canavan, Fran Cuneo, Frank Flood, Mary Johnson, Paul Homan, Madelyn McBride, Doloris McFadden, Beverly Scarani Not Able to Attend: Jim Malloy

Meeting opened with prayer prepared by Madelyn McBride.
DISCIPLES IN MISSION: Deacons Kane and McGuire gave us a detailed presentation of the program, Disciples in Mission, and how it will be launched in our parish. They presented the budget, leadership team, explanation of the small faith-sharing groups, the article for the January Canticle. Key points covered were that additional people are need to help the leadership team coordinators, the small faith sharing groups will focus on the six Sundays of Lent.

CLUSTER PALNNING: The implementation committee covers six areas/sub-committees with representatives from each parish: evangelization - Deacon McGuire; Social Outreach - Ed. Kistner; Ministry to YouthMarguerite DiMattia; Adult education - Kathy Richers; Vocations - Fritz Butler; Education - Mary Nylon. Sub-committee meetings are beginning to meet. The next implementation committee meeting will be in February.

ALPHA: Fr. Otto reported in our parish the ALPHA program ties in with Disciples in Mission since both proclaim the core of the Gospel. The first group involved with ALPHA will complete the series in early December, and a next group will start with a dinner in February. Midway through the program there was a retreat which the members found to be both a key part of the program and a very powerful experience. There are usually 10 to 12 people attending the meetings. If more than 24 people sign up for the program in February, then there will be two groups.

TEENS, I.N.C.: Fr. Riccio reported on the activities of this newly formed group for 7th and 8th graders of the parish. They went to Hawk Mountain, hosted an evening on sexuality and 70 young people attended, 35 young people attended the Hunger Banquet; they visited St. John's Hospice; and will have a dance in December. The program is going very well.

NEW AGENDA: Fr. Riccio reminded us that we need to decide what direction to take for our future work. During the parish self-study phase we identified three goals and have since accomplished them. There were four other topics reviewed at that time and we will revisit the goals we identified for leadership, social justice, worship and stewardship. He also reminded us that the Cluster implementation may require some activity for the Council. He invited us to think about items for the Council to address during this year.

OTHER BUSINESS: Deacon Kane suggested a way of improving Eucharistic ministers' solemnity could be to have them wear albs. Father Riccio will find out what the current norm is for wearing an alb.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: On Mondays during the Jubilee Year our parish will have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
New Year's Eve Liturgy and Ecumenical Prayer Service at the Cathedral of the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul, 5:00 p.m.
Mass on New Year's Eve at St. Francis will be at 9:00 p.m., families are invited to participate in activities such as the time capsule, and the rosary will be said at midnight. Next meeting: Jan. 24th; Father Otto will prepare the prayer and Paul will provide refreshments.