ST

ST. PATRICK’S PARISH COUNCIL

CARBONEAR, NL

Date: October 18, 2006

Location: Parish Centre

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Present: Rev. E. T. Bromley, Bernard Fitzpatrick, Dave White, Paul Baldwin, Eleanor Ash

Anastasia Furey, Frank O’Keefe, Jeannie Garland (recording secretary).

James Butt & Gerard Butt were unable to attend.

Bernard Fitzpatrick acted as Chair in Gerard Butt’s absence and called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Anastasia Furey said an opening prayer.

The minutes of the September 13, 2006 meeting were reviewed. Eleanor Ash moved that the minutes of the September 13, 2006 meeting be adopted as read. Seconded by Frank O’Keefe. Motion carried.

BUSINESS ARISING

Bishop Currie received a letter from the parish council dated September 13, 2006 nominating two parishioners for a diocesan medal. Bishop Currie called Paul Baldwin and informed him that the medals would not be presented until sometime next year as he does not have time at present to do it.

Paul reported that there is no clause that he can find in the Knights of Columbus charter referring to parish land. Monsignor Bromley pointed out that even though the parish council has passed a motion to sell the land in question to the Knights of Columbus, the Board of Administration of the diocese will make the final decision.

Monsignor Bromley has not yet met with the Finance Committee regarding the issue of a Financial Stewardship Committee.

A letter has been sent to Sister Elizabeth Lee informing her of the parish council decision not to lease the convent. The sisters have not yet formally responded.

There was some discussion regarding soliciting advertisers for the parish bulletin. Placing ads in the bulletin as well as parishioners or businesses donating a weekly bulletin was discussed. Bernard will investigate further and report back by the December 13, 3006 meeting.

Bernard has received several complaints concerning the condition of the cemetery. The possibility of applying for a grant, either provincial or from CMIC, to make some repairs to the cemetery was discussed. Bernard will investigate further.

Frank contacted two cement finishing companies regarding estimates for the cost of repairs to the front of the church but has not yet received any reply. He also spoke with a local contractor regarding the cost of replacing the wooden eaves with metal and has not yet received a reply. Frank repaired some damage to the eaves made by woodpeckers. Simm’s Garage donated the use of their bucket truck to reach the eaves. A letter of thanks will be sent to them from the parish.

Anastasia represented the parish council at a planning meeting for the Craft Fair and Fall Bazaar. The Craft Fair was held on October 9 and went well. The Bazaar begins of November 16 with a hot roast beef supper and continues on November 19 with a Merchandise Bingo.

There was a meeting held today in Harbour Grace regarding the proposed Youth Group for the Avalon Deanery, but since Paul was unable to attend, there was no representation from this parish.

Dave White inquired whether Father William Matthews, who lives in Carbonear, needs any financial assistance from the parish. Monsignor Bromley noted that it is unlikely, but he will look into it.

NEW BUSINESS

There was some discussion regarding property on Bunker Hill and whether or not the parish should sell it as a means to repair the church. Bernard asked the council to consider this and in the meantime Jeannie will contact Pierce Carey at the Diocesan office to get some more information on the land.

Monsignor Bromley had to leave the meeting early and asked the council to discuss the possibility sending a gift to Deacon Bill Pearce for his ordination on December 8, 2006 and also to discuss World Youth Day 2008 to be held in Australia.

Paul Baldwin moved that a gift of $100.00 be sent to Deacon Bill Pearce when he is ordained on December 8, 2006. Seconded by Dave White. Motion carried.

The council feels that we should support any youth interested in attending World Youth Day in any manner we can and that we promote the possibility of attending to our youth as much as possible. Even if we cannot, as a parish, help financially, we can help in other ways. Jeannie will inform Monsignor Bromley of the council’s feelings.

St. Patrick’s Choir has requested that the parish council look into buying a new sound system for the church. The choir’s director has said that the choir is willing to help with any fundraising needed. Issue deferred until Dave White looks into some possibilities.

The driveway to St. Patrick’s Cemetery is in need of some class A stone. Bernard will check with the town of Carbonear to find out whose responsibility this is since the problem is outside the cemetery gate.