May 30, 2024
Minutes
May 30, 2023 | 5:30 PM
Members Present: Mary Haley, Karen Markoff, Cathy Relihan, Kay Sgarlata, Ron DeLuca, Kathy Kotz,Fr Foley, Alaina DiBiase, Jolie Johnston, Beth Schafer, Paul Sansone, Fr Kurgan, Bill Leiker, Carl Thomas, Nina Walters.
Members Excused: Margaret Ingraham, Rita Chanthasensak, Tom Griffin, Mark Bentz.
Opening Prayer: Father John
Meeting Call to Order: 5:30pm
Review March Minutes: Motion to accept minutes by Kay Sgarlata, 2nd by Carl Thomas
Community Comments: (limited to 3 minutes) No community members present.
New Business:
Congratulations to Father Foley for his new pastoral assignment; Fr Foley is looking forward to collaborating with the Franciscans, and he intends to help here with youth/young adults as well as helping Fr Kurgan when needed. Collaboration is the new goal for Diocesan parishes & Fr Foley will be working on the Northside with the Franciscans at Assumption.
Update on trustees: Tom Griffith submitted his resignation as Trustee due to conflict of interest. Karen shared a letter of thanks to be sent to Tom; all signed the letter. Upcoming Pastoral Council Elections: We have three openings. Timeline
• Announcement in bulletin for June 8-9; applications due by June 21
• Karen to contact all applicants; bios will be placed in the bulletin
• Pastoral Council Election will be June 29-30
• Father/Karen will contact applicants with result
• Bulletin announcement of membership weekend of July 6-7.
Discussion about future meeting dates: It was agreed that there will be no summer meeting of HCPC. Projected HC Pastoral Council Dates for 2024-25: September 19, 2024, November 21, 2024, January 23, 2025,March 20,2025, May 22, 2025. Additional meetings may be scheduled as needed.
Diocesan Pastoral Council (Handout) for the May Meeting: time given to review the minutes provided. Synthesis Report (Handout): Discussion of “Top 3 Issues”:
The role of Women
The Listening & Accompanying Church
The Cry of the Poor
Discussion: How can we do something to reinforce & celebrate the role of Mary, and of women in our parish? Perhaps female saints as heroes: celebrating women saints during the month of May or throughout the year, black saints should be highlighted as well. Can we support young parents in our community? Nina plans to invite Matt Davidson to speak in October at the school–she will invite the parish to attend. The parish could be invited to School masses as a way to get to know & support young families. Q: How does our parish hear the cry of the poor? A: A monthly second collection goes to Emmaus & for food cards to needy individuals. Throughout the year we do food donations for food pantries, Brady Faith and many other collections for poor & struggling families. Q: Do we support families experiencing sudden tragedy? A:There is no established fund, but we do it on a case by case basis when the need arises.
Action Item: Bring your ideas to the Sept meeting; please consider how to increase the Council’s communication to the parish in the following areas:
Mass/Worship-liturgy direction, music; sense of community, hospitality; Parish Life and Community; Events/Formation for Adults;Stewardship; Events/Formation for Youth; Communications; Facilities; Holy Cross School.
Old Business:
Communications Committee: Margaret, Chairperson for Adoration videos for review and using during Advent and beyond/Adoration and Eucharist. 30 second video clips or writings we were assigned. Margaret is following through with this mission. Alaina’s video was emailed for everyone to review on Monday. Thank you Alaina. She says it was confirmed with her parents. Action Item: Alaina’s video will be played at mass this weekend.
The Parish Eucharistic Year Committee is creating an agenda for the year ahead.
Music Ministry: update on Choir Director/Organist–announcement coming soon. We are grateful to Tom for his help with keeping the ministry going after Ernie’s sudden death. Ernie Camerota’s sister sent the Council a thank you for the Mass and was very appreciative of support for the family
Yarn Collection: Franciscan Nuns at the Villa sent a thank you and are very appreciative of the support from Holy Cross. Karen offered to do another collection in the future when more yarn is needed.
School Auction Success: Nina, Steve, Julie, Jolie & her kids were wonderful, cooperative.
Individual and Committee Updates:
Father John: For the first time, the school budget finished in the black. There are 188 students projected for next year.
Father Foley:
Shared a message from Margaret: encourage use of the chapel in addition to Adoration on Wednesday when Aliana’s video is shown.
Priest ordination , 10am on Saturday, people from St Anthony’s will be there.
Men in Black: July 28th, 5:30 at minor league baseball stadium in Binghamton. Mirabito Stadium.
After the Spring concert, HC school parents & kids were seeking baptism & other sacraments. Can we point out families who are actively living their faith, so that they can accompany families learning about the Catholic faith? It would be a bridge from parish/school as a way of mentoring and supporting young families.
Suggests that we bring the HC school cornerstone time capsule to display to the church to share with the parishioners.
Holy Cross School: Nina and Jolie, Karen
New entrance is underway. A time capsule from August 15, 1958 was discovered in the cornerstone that was removed. New time capsule is being created for the stone in the new entrance. The capsule contents that were discovered are on display at the school. The new entrance should be finished by the beginning of the next school year. Donations for the entrance fund were collected at the end of the auction. There was a record number in attendance & a record amount of money collected ($100,000) The money will go to Security & technology upgrades, and the playground.
Thanks to Jolie for her servant leadership, & leading Caring Crusaders.
Caring Crusaders; Bottle & Can drive: $460 raised for Camp Lookout. The Crusaders will help clean out the camp to get ready for summer; it is a free camp inspired by Mr M who attended as a youth and has great memories of it.
Fr Foley did a great job at the 6th grade ceremony - students moving up to CBA.
Hospitality: Kay, Carl, Rita, Mary: Greeters are doing a great job. Kay is grateful for other parishioners' support during her hip replacement surgery.
Communications: Bill, Ron, Cathy, Margaret, Beth, Paul: Eucharistic revival resources.
Refugee Updates: Cathy and Jolie: no new updates.
Finance: Trustees- Jolie Johnston is replacing Tom Griffin. Kathy Kotz and Paul Sansone are the other Trustees.
Thank you flowers and cards given to Karen & Beth for their work on the council this year.
Motion to Adjourn: 6:42 PM Kay 1st, Mary 2nd.
Next Meeting: September 19 2024
Closing Prayer: Father Foley