Minutes of St. Thecla Parish Pastoral Council
February 4, 2016
Present: Fr. Joe McCarthy, Deacon Howard League, Deacon Jack Sullivan,
Chairman Steve Dodge, Lorna Rossi, Sue Runne, Peggy Reynolds, Michelle Byrne,
Mimi Gallagher, Barbara McMorrow, Howard McEachern, Christine Sullivan,
Finance Committee Chair Joe Caputo
Absent: Mary Doller, Mary Ann Simmons
Opening Prayer: Come Holy Spirit
Review of Minutes: Minutes from previous meeting were not present so review
postponed.
Steve called the meeting to order shortly after 7:00 pm.
Parish Council Photo: Joe took a group photo of the present council for the
lobby as the previous photo was taken six years ago.
Budget Update: Joe reported good news pertaining to St. Thecla finances. The
offertory is up 1.3%. Total income is $16,000 over plan. Expenses are under
plan, partially because heat and snow removal costs are down due to the mild
winter. Secretary Pat Scampoli obtained a $900 refund of taxes. We also
received a $4000 rebate from Catholic Appeal. Joe would like to study the
possible financial impacts of a collaborative.
Religious Education Director Search: Howard League will be leaving his position
as of June 30th, 2016. He defined his job description, which includes record
keeping, Coris, working with altar servers, running summer programs,
recruiting teachers, and coordinating curriculum and service projects. He also
cited the lack of a custodian and religious education secretary as two factors in
the long hours he works, and said it's more common to have all these jobs split
among other people. It was stated that the Guided Service component created
by Howard is unique to our parish, and is an important part of St. Thecla's
contact with the community. Howard reported that he has the schedule,
calendar and registrations all set up for a full year after he leaves. Registration
for summer sessions is scheduled for March 5th. Fr. Joe has spoken with Fr.
Hobson as well as Mary, the Religious Ed Director at St. Joseph the Worker to
gain their input. He also sought insight from past St. Thecla Religious Ed
Director Mary Doller. Breaking up the responsibilities among part time people
is under consideration. The Diocese has a salary schedule and resources for
finding people interested in these types of positions. An ad could also be
placed in the Pilot. It was suggested that Mary Doller and Howard League
might be most helpful in the interview process. Howard said there is a Master
of Arts in Ministry offered through the Diocese which trains Religious Ed
Coordinators and may be a good resource to find a replacement. Fr. Joe
mentioned that the school calendar is linked among Brockton's three parish
collaborative, but that the Religious Ed consolidation didn't go smoothly in
Plymouth. But it was stated that combining the program with three parishes
could be a cost saver.
Offering from Office of Lifelong Faith Formation: Barbara McMorrow shared
information about a special event called Entertaining Angels, to be held on
Saturday, February 27th from 9-3:00. A workshop run by the Catholic
Hospitality Training Institute, its goal is to make the parish office and
parishioners more welcoming. The cost is $25 per person and includes
breakfast and lunch. Fr. Joe says our parish will pick up the cost for whomever
would like to attend, including those not on the council. He plans to have a
notice in the bulletin, and we should email Steve if we plan to go.
Empty Bowl Update: Sue Runne described this fundraiser event to be held on
March 12, 2016 from 4-7:00 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The aim is to
raise $6000 for walk-in freezers for the Pembroke Soup Connection and
Firehouse Pantry, which is now affiliated with the Greater Boston Food Bank.
The group's director Joann will speak at the event. A video featuring her and
other volunteers will be shown after Masses this weekend and tickets will be on
sale. People will have the option of emailing for tickets to be paid for at the
door.
Collaboration Update: Bishop Dooher has called for a meeting in the next few
weeks of the three parish councils of Pembroke, Hanson, and Halifax to help
understand the collaborative process. Fr. Joe said only four collaboratives will
be formed this year. He mentioned it's a challenge to get enough pastors and
parochial vicars to participate. Fr. Hobson and Fr. Soper feel we may be ready
to be part of the next grouping. Fr. Joe would like more information on the
model. He mentioned that in Mexico there is 1 priest for 23 sites but the
parishioners take care of running everything. Milwaukee also has lay
administrators to help the priests, who focus on sacramental and pastoral
duties. Fr. Joe encouraged us to listen and then express our thoughts freely at
the Bishop's meeting. Deacon Jack suggested regionalizing finances as a
possibilty. Mimi mentioned that at the picnic meeting people from the three
parishes were excited about having more collaborative events.
Pancake Breakfast: Tickets will be on sale after Masses for the Pancake
Breakfast to be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Palm Sunday, March
20th.
Next Meeting: To be determined after the joint parish meeting called by the
Bishop.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30.
Closing Prayer: Mission Statement
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Sullivan