Present: Fr. Doug, Tom Gallivan, Peg Graham, Billy Labrie , Joan Marek, Jay Oelrich, Tom Neill, and George Zoltowski,
Absent: Bozena Dabek, and Pat Baran.
The meeting was opened at 6:30 pm by Chairman Tom Neill.
Father Doug led us in the opening prayer.
Minutes of the September meeting were reviewed and accepted with changes.
Pastor’s Report – Fr. Doug
LED lights have been installed in all of the lantern style lights.
Lanterns lights from the Notre Dame church will be installed in the two arches in front of the choir loft and in the choir loft itself. They are smaller than the current lanterns in OLV, but of similar design.
The Festival report is in and the proceeds we a little over $17,000.00 which is down $4 – 5,000.00 from last year a lot of which can be attributed to the inclement weather.
The Thanksgiving raffle is underway. Responses are currently slow from the mailing, but some are calling in for extra books of tickets.
The Advent Penance service is scheduled for Sunday, December 20th at 2:00 PM.
Finance Report - Fr. Doug
The parish is still not meeting the weekly quota for collections.
We are looking at all opportunities to save money.
Committee Reports: Communications: - Jay
We are coming up on three years of broadcasting OLV masses on cable access TV.
We discussed ways in which we might use ECAT for PSA’s promoting events at the parish and possible supporting the evangelization goals.
Outreach: - Joan
Mission Committee:
The holiday craft fair was a success, bringing in approximately $1,000.00.
The next big event is the Advent Mass and dinner with Blesses Sacrament/All Souls at OLV on Saturday, December 12th at the 5:30 Mass with dinner following. Msgr. Juan will be the celebrant Children for BS/AS will do the readings and the Children’s Choir will be singing.
Ten members of the mission committee are going to Msgr. Juan’s 80th birthday celebration at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee. On 11/15.
Take & Eat:No report
Cot Shelter:
After a tenuous start, Soldier-On has found driver-volunteers. There was concern as to how the guests would be transported had they not found volunteers.
The appeal for help and support at the Masses on Shelter Sunday was wonderfully successful. They were short no fewer than 6 cooking teams and now have a surplus. A testament to the generosity of our parishioners and the Holy Spirit in action.
A coordinator has been found to replace the person who stepped down as coordinator for Sunday nights.
The Northampton shelter opens on 11/1 and we will probably start 2 – 3 weeks after that. This will give ServiceNet a chance to vet the guests as to who qualifies for coming to OLV.
New rules are in place for this year at the shelter such as no TV during meals and lanyards for the Soldier-On volunteers so they are distinguishable from the guests.
Clubs & Events: - Pat
Women’s Club:
Hosting a reception following the Bereavement Mass on Monday, November 2nd.
Holding a bake sale after all Masses on the weekend of November 21 – 22, along with a gift card wreath raffle.
Sponsoring the Christmas Angels Project for Our Lady’s Childcare again this year.
Providing free gift wrapping on two weekends, December 12 – 13, and December 19- 20.
The January meeting will be on Sunday the 24th where there will be a baby shower for Bethlehem House.
Currently conducting annual citrus sales which ends 11/16.
Making pierogi on 10/30 and 10/31 as well as 11/6 and 11/7 for the annual holiday pierogi sale.
Hosting a brunch on Sunday, 11/22 after the 11:00 AM Mass for altar servers.
Members will be participating at the annual Christmas party at the VA medical center in Leeds.
Members continue to help out at the Community Center serving meals at one of the three community dinners that are held each month.
Holy Rosary Sodality:
Holding their annual Christmas celebration at the Bluebonnet in Northampton on Sunday, December 6th. Details will be in a future bulletin insert.
Coffee Shop:
The coffee shop business has been slower than normal a couple of weeks in October.
The Donut Man stopped delivering the donuts to the church after the second week when their driver quit. Since then we have had to drive to Hadley on Sunday mornings to pick the donuts up at the store. Not bad now, but could be a problem in the winter months if we get weekend storms.
Religious Education:
Morning and evening classes are going very smoothly.
They held their first “hosting” Massa on October 18th for elementary students in the morning and high school students in the evening. They were very pleased with how well the students participated in the Mass.
Dates for Confirmation were chosen with Saturday, April 30th as first choice, followed by May 7th and May 14th as second and third choices, at the 5:30 Mass.
REY has asked the K of C to fund the purchase of more bibles and asked if possible to cover the cost of having internet service provided to the REY building.
Youth Group:
The new youth group is not off the ground yet.
Music: -
Discussion continued regarding the temperature control for the choir loft. A suggestion was made to look at other churches, specifically St. Mary’s in Longmeadow.
The St. Cecelia Choir performed at the Pulaski Day event in Easthampton on Sunday October 11th and in Northampton on October 12th.
Technology: - Fr. Doug
Fr. Doug installed a new energy saving light switch in the elevator lobby that is motion activated. It will automatically turn off after 30-minited of non-use.
Jay has an altar server training session scheduled for November 8th.
Old Business:
No news on the Bishop’s parish visitation schedule referenced under new business item #2 in September.
There has been no activity regarding new business item #4 from the September report regarding local radio usage as part of the evangelization effort.
New Business: No new business.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM and closed with a prayer.
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9th at 6:30 PM. This meeting will serve for both November and December.
Respect fully submitted,
Tom Gallivan, secretary
