ST.
PATRICK’S PARISH COUNCIL
CARBONEAR, NL
Date: September
13, 2006
Location: Parish Centre
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Present: Rev. E. T. Bromley, Bernard Fitzpatrick,
James Butt, Paul Baldwin, Eleanor Ash
Anastasia
Furey, Frank O’Keefe, Jeannie Garland (recording secretary).
Dave
White & Gerard Butt were unable to attend.
Bernard
Fitzpatrick acted as Chair in Gerard Butt’s absence and called the meeting to
order at 7:30 p.m. Paul Baldwin said an
opening prayer.
The minutes
of the June 7, 2006 meeting were reviewed.
Monsignor Bromley pointed out that besides himself and Jeannie Garland,
Gerard Butt, James Butt and Eleanor Ash also attended the luncheon for the
former caretaker, Roy Clarke.
Paul Baldwin moved that the minutes
of the June 7, 2006 meeting be adopted as read. Seconded by Anastasia Furey. Motion carried.
The minutes
of the July 5, 2006 special meeting were reviewed. Monsignor Bromley made a motion to replace the word “will”
in the last sentence to “ought to”.
Seconded by Paul Baldwin. Motion
carried.
BUSINESS
ARISING
Staffing Committee
There was some discussion regarding whether or not the
three applicants for the position of caretaker were interviewed by the staffing
committee before the successful applicant was hired and whether or not a member
of the staffing committee was in conflict of interest as a family member of the
person who was hired for the position.
Paul reported that the staffing
committee did not interview the applicants as they felt the resumes spoke for
themselves and the committee member in question did abstain from the final
decision.
Diocesan Medal
Paul has prepared a letter to Bishop Martin
recommending the two candidates voted by the parish council to receive a Diocesan Medal as per the motion of the June
7, 2006 Parish Council meeting. Monsignor
Bromley will review the letter.
Monsignor Bromley reminded the council that the final decision is
ultimately the Bishop’s.
White Property
The outstanding tax bill on the White Property has
been paid in full.
Knights of Columbus : Request of Land Transfer
The Knights of Columbus has received a letter form
Gerard Butt on behalf of the Parish Council informing them of the decision to
sell the land on which their club is located as per a motion at the June 7,
2006 Parish Council meeting. Bernard
asked Paul to check the Knights of Columbus’ Charter for a possible clause
which will not allow this transfer.
Summer Career Placement
The student
hired in this position was responsible for extending our parish web site and
setting it up for future upgrades. The job is now complete. Monsignor Bromley pointed out the
excellent work done by the student.
Financial
Stewardship Committee
There was
some discussion regarding the establishment of a Financial Stewardship
Committee and what role the Finance Committee would play in such a
committee. Monsignor will arrange to
meet with the Finance Committee, possibly before the next Parish Council
meeting, to discuss the issue.
NEW
BUSINESS
St.
Joseph’s Convent
After some
discussion regarding the decision to seek permission from the Bishop to lease
St. Joseph’s Convent from the Presentation Sisters as per a motion of June 7,
2006; Paul Baldwin moved that the Parish Council forward the letter that
was drafted by Gerard Butt dated June7, 2006 to the Bishop. Seconded by James Butt. 2 in favor, 4 against. Motion denied. Noted that Monsignor Bromley abstained from
the vote.
It was then
moved by Frank O’Keefe to cancel the plans to lease the Convent from the Presentation Sisters
and to send them correspondence informing them of the decision and apologizing
for the delay in making the final decision.
Seconded by Eleanor Ash. 4 in
favor, 2 against. Motion carried. Noted that Monsignor Bromley abstained from
the vote. Paul Baldwin will prepare the
letter.
Parish
Bulletin
The new
format for the parish bulletin will begin on September 24, 2006. The possibility of obtaining advertising to
be published in the bulletin as well as parishioners donating the cost of the
bulletin in memory of loved ones was discussed. Issue deferred to a later date.
St.
Patrick’s Cemetery
The old
section of the cemetery is in need of repairs.
The possibility of applying for a government grant was discussed as well
as requesting help from parishioners to do the work.
Appearance
of Church
The
condition of the church building was also discussed. There is much work needed to be done such as painting the front
of the church where the concrete is weeping, painting the eaves and repairing
the concrete pillars. Frank O’Keefe
will arrange to have some estimates from some contractors to get an idea of the
cost of these repairs.
Craft Fair
and Fall Bazaar
Anastasia
Furey will represent the Parish Council at a meeting on September 14, 2006 which
will be held to discuss and plan for the annual Craft Fair and Fall
Bazaar.
Youth
Paul
reported on an initiative started by Father Clem from All Hallows Parish in
North River to look at some possibilities for a youth group for the Avalon
Deanery. There have been 2 meetings so
far with discussions on this topic.
They are presently looking at a way forward, beginning with a poster
contest for youth to decide on a name for this group as well as how to get our
youth more involved. The next meeting is
planned to be held in Harbour Grace at a date to be announced.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS
Liturgy
Committee
The next
meeting of the Liturgy Committee will be held on October 11, 2006.
Financial
Committee
James reported that the bank balance as of August 31,
2006 was -2, 536.56. A GIC had to be
cashed to cover the overdraft. The
balance to cover costs to the end of this week (September 15, 2006) is
approximately $4, 928.
The next three meetings will be held on October 18,
2006 November 15, 2006 and December 13, 2006.
Monsignor Bromley said a closing prayer and Bernard
adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m.