(Previous Meeting Minutes are here...)

Present: Fr Dennis, Deacon Ron, Sandy DePietro, Kay Alexander, Maureen Corcoran, Catherine Rubin, Carol Sarro, Jane Allen, Ryan Twordowski, Jeff Smith, Adreine Smith, Karin Forbes, Brian Hodor.
Absent: Deacon Joe, Donna Bezubka, John Bezubka, Fred Scholz, Lee Capalbo, Liz O'Keefe, John Gibbons.

The meeting opened with a prayer by Fr. Dennis at 7:05 pm.

Minutes of the 24 April 06 meeting were accepted with minor corrections.

Old Business:

1. Suspension of the By Laws
   At the last council meeting Fr Dennis had asked for a suspension of the by laws requiring rotation of council members. The request was based on the need for continuity of process and the excess time required for new members to become conversant and active on projects.

   A straw poll of voting council members taken via email. The result of the poll approved the suspension.

   At this council meeting a motion to accept the suspension was made by Karin Forbes, seconded by Catherine Rubin. The motion was unanimously accepted.

2. Change to the schedule of Masses
   At the last council meeting Fr. Dennis proposed changing the schedule of Masses to Saturday at 5pm, Sunday at 7am, 9am and 11am.

   The schedule change is to be effective in the fall 2006.

   While Fr. Dennis indicated that he will give the parish the opportunity to comment prior to implementing the change he was seeking concurrence of the council at this time.

   He indicated that there would be announcements in the bulletin, webpage, and the BUZZ as well as announcements from the pulpit. Father said that while he would take feedback in most forms that the common practice was for parishioners to speak to him after Mass.

   At this council meeting a motion for concurrence was made by Jeff Smith and seconded by Catherine Rubin to accept the schedule change. Motion approved.

3. Generations of Faith
   In response to a question on the progress of Generations of Faith, Fr. Dennis indicated it is moving along. The program was presented to the Catechists and several have already signed to teach.

   The program will begin 15 Oct 06 and continue 19 Nov 06, February, March and April 07.

4. Ministries
   Jeff Smith requested the status of ministry presentations to the council. Adriene Smith offered to present Marriage Preparation. Jeff presented the following:

   Marriage Preparation is a Diocesan program. The Family Life Ministry provides the engaged couples from all over the state. It provides the booklets used in ministry.

   St Bernard's parish provides the facilities and the Team of Couples to lead the sessions. There are currently 7 couples on Team and 2 couples that maintain contact and support. One Team Couple previously attended as an engaged couple.

   There are two sessions each year: in the Spring and Fall. While the Fall has a lesser number, the Spring session has had as many as 26 couples.

   The St Bernard program meets four Wednesday nights. It includes a section on Sexuality and Natural Family Planning.

   In a session a Team Couple speaks to a topic from their experience and their Christian perspective. This is followed by workbook questions that the couple answer individually and then with each other. The engaged couples then have a group table discussion facilitated by a Team couple.

   The topics include: Communication, Finance, Sexuality, Natural Family Planning, Personality Type, Children, Families of Origin, and Spirituality.

   They receive certificates of completion. At the conclusion of the program the engaged couples fill out evaluation forms.

   Food and refreshments are provided. The Team of Couples absorb any expense so there is no expense to parish. Brian Hodor will develop a template as a general guide for the other ministries to use as a briefing guide.

5. Work Camp
   Jeff Smith indicated St Bernard will conduct Camp sometime in 2008. Karin Forbes met with School Superintendent Halley with a positive result. Jeff and Karin will meet with the Superintendent again.

   The next step is to take an ecumenical approach with the other churches in the area.

   Jeff noted that churches in the Charlestown district will have a work camp in 2007.

New Business:

1. Fr. Dennis mentioned the following upcoming events:
   • 5/6 Youth Ministry support of the Food Bank.
   • 5/10 A planning meeting for the March for the Homeless.
   • 5/18 St Bernard will host a Diocesan Conference on the Child Protective Program, a requirement for all staff and volunteers working with children.
   • 5/19 Bishop Tobin will celebrate a night in honor of Mary.
   • 5/23 The Steering Committee will present our construction plans to the Council of Priests.
   • 5/23 St Bernard's will host overnight shelter for the March for the Homeless.
   • 5/24 Bishop Tobin will be here to bless the walkers the next morning.
   • 6/3 Parish Tag Sale
   • 9/24 Stewardship Fair
2. Next Council Meeting 22 May 06.

   Brian Hodor will invite a ministry to speak.

3. No council meetings in June or July.

Motion to adjourn was made and seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30.

Res Ipse Loquitur,

Deacon Ron