St. Mary Star of the Sea
Pastoral Care Committee
April 8, 2010
The committee met for the first
time since Jan. 14.
Members Present: Barbara Danko, President,
Ann Embleton, Secretary, and Helen Rizzo representing the Cemetery Committee, Ed Airey, maintenance head, Sam Rizzo, Marty
Habermann, Mary Jo Bosley, and Sara Applegarth representing the Foundation.
After opening prayer and approval of the
minutes, issues of old business were put forward.
Maintenance:
Sam Rizzo said he is
waiting for approval from Father Lawler to authorize getting someone to give an estimate as to what repairs, and cost for
same, are needed to stop the leak which has manifested in the ceiling of the sacristy area. Sam had sent
Father an e-mail to this effect before his vacation, and the committee advised him to re-send it in case it went astray. Contractor
and former parishioner Bobbie Connelly was kind enough to spend several hours re-caulking and checking the flashing in the
suspected area, and Ed Airey and Joe Habermann also inspected the roof and removed an interior ceiling tile. The leak continues,
and we hope to get authorization for a professional evaluation and estimate.
Another problem is manifesting itself.
There is a deep hole which is next to our well head. Ed Airey needs to get the name of the company
that put in our well to see what steps could be taken, and what possibly is going on. Barbara Jeanne will
be asked to search records for the name and contact information.
The new church furnace was installed on January 15th. Sam and Ed had
the installation contractor change the pipe to an insulated one, but it is still fairly hot. We are looking
for an appropriate screen to keep anyone from touching the hot pipe, which is in the little room which contains the furnace,
the confessional, and is a pass through space to the restroom.
It was determined that we need a reminder sign to “please return the meeting room thermostat”
when leaving. Mary Jo will make the sign and Ann will laminate it.
There is a need for a motion
light on the porch of the meeting room, because the switches are inside the building and when you turn it off to leave at
night, it is pitch black. Sam and Helen will buy the light, but we will need to find an electrician to
install it. We are hoping for a volunteer to do it.
Landscaping plans were also discussed. Mulch will be priced with someone with
a pickup to get it. We will also need some preen weed preventer. As soon as the mulch source is determined,
a day will be chosen to gather volunteers to do the work. The committee asked Tom and Mary Jo to cut back
the bushes at the front of the church to the level of the ramp railing. The spring flowers will need to be deadheaded and
the geraniums planted in the garden.
Baptismal Font Project:
Mary Jo said that she is having difficulty finding someone to do the metal fabrication for the stand
to hold the new Baptismal font. She will continue her efforts. She read a letter from
Father Lawler (who was given a copy of Dave Gibbon’s architectural concept plans) which states that he is ok with the
proposed location of the new Baptismal font and wants to be in on the colors of the bowl. He thinks we
are on the right track.
New Business:
Parish Council Report—Mary
Jo gave an update on the transition of the next council coming in May, and the two committees that have been formed-- Liturgy
and Parish Family Life Committees. She suggested that either wife Mary or mother Marty give Joe Habermann, council member,
the notes from the next Pastoral Care Committee Meeting in order to send an e-mail report to council.
Cemetery Report: Judy Holland is looking for a bench for the back porch overlooking the cemetery,
which she will donate. A new display for mapping of the graves which will hold up to the weather is still
being researched.
Fellowship Sunday at Star of the Sea: The next fellowship will be
on April 11th. There will be none in May as the second Sunday is Mother’s Day.
In June, at the request of Fr. Lawler, we are happy to have our fellowship on June 20th, the third Sunday,
to co-inside with our Bishop’s
visit
to our parish.
Ministry to the Sick: Cecilia Adam’s son Robert has died and
services will be held at Thomas’ Funeral Home. Some of our parishioners will attend and a platter
of food will be sent from the church.
Observation:
Before adjournment,
Mary Jo asked to make an observation. On her recent trip to Kansas, she attended Mass at her son’s
parish in their new multi-million dollar church. She said she found herself wishing that she was in our
parish ( and by this she said she meant both our St. Mary’s churches) where we may have our financial problems, but
the people are engaged in the liturgy as they pray enthusiastically, sing out, and are also engaged with one another. (not
to mention those good homilies) In this “rich” parish, the people were just kind of standing
there.
Next Meeting: May
20th, Thursday at 5:00.
Closing Report and Adjournment
Submitted by Mary Jo Bosley, liaison to Parish Council