ST. PATRICK’S PARISH COUNCIL

CARBONEAR, NL

Date:          April 5, 2006

Location:     Parish Centre

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Present:       Rev. E. T. Bromley, Gerard Butt, James Butt, Paul Baldwin,

Bernard Fitzpatrick Jeannie Garland (recording secretary).

                     Frank O’Keefe , Eleanor Ash and Dave White were unable to attend.

Gerard opened the meeting with a prayer and a reflection on Lent and Easter.

The minutes of the March 8, 2006 meeting were reviewed. Paul Baldwin moved that the minutes from the March 8, 2006 meeting be adopted as presented. Seconded by Bernard Fitzpatrick. Motion carried.

BUSINESS ARISING

Parish Council elections were held on March 18 & 19, 2006. Bernard Fitzpatrick, David White & Paul Baldwin were elected for a two year term.

A joint meeting between St. Patrick’s Parish Council and St. Patrick’s Finance Committee was held on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 to discuss the Convent Property and the possibility of leasing it from the Presentation Sisters. There was general consensus that it would be a challenge and that it would require a big commitment from everyone involved as well as a costly venture for the parish.

Mike Rogers has agreed to replace Patrick Merrigan as a parish representative on the Interfaith Cemetery Committee. Mike as well as the other representatives, Bill Finn and Boyd Riggs have all been contacted by Monsignor Bromley.

Mike Rogers has also agreed to replace Patrick Merrigan as St. Patrick’s Cemetery Supervisor.

The sacristy as well as the meeting room in the church have been plastered & painted, as well as a section of the roof in the sanctuary. Fred Dakins, Dave White, Jerry Pumphrey, Paul Baldwin, Jim Butt, Gerard Butt, George Hogan, Larry Griffin, Jerome Crawford and Patrick Butt did this work over a two week period.

The Mass of Chrism will take place on April 6, 2006. The diocese will pay for the priest’s meal which will take place at Fong’s before the Mass.

NEW BUSINESS

Bernard Fitzpatrick was chosen by acclamation as the new Vice-Chair of the parish council. Paul Baldwin was chosen by acclamation as the new secretary.

The 2005 financial statement was presented to the council. Members felt that the statement in its present form is too complicated. Jim Butt and Monsignor Bromley will come up with a simpler format to present to council at the next meeting and then publish in the parish bulletin.

There was some discussion regarding the parish grounds and maintenance work. Presently, one individual works 40 - 43 hours per week from early May to late October. Most of this time is concentrated on grass cutting and the cleaning up of leaves, while general maintenance does not seem to be a priority. As well, there is no job description in place for the other employees. Jim Butt moved that the parish council set up a staffing committee to review job descriptions and terms of reference of parish employees. Seconded by Bernard Fitzpatrick. Motion carried. Paul Baldwin agreed to chair this committee.

Gerard distributed copies of a proposed lease which he received from the Presentation Sisters regarding the Convent building. He asked members to review the lease before the next meeting and to direct any questions they may have to him. Jeannie will get copies out to the members not present at this meeting.

Gerard has applied for 4 workers through a Summer Career Placement Program offered by the Federal Government. These workers would do research on parish history and to help develop the parish web site.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Liturgy Committee

 The Blue Mass, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, will be held on April 22, 2006. The Philharmonic Choir of Memorial University will perform at St. Patrick’s Church on May 28, 2006.

Finance Committee

Jim reported that the bank balance at the end of February was $8521.48 and at the end of March it was $3 665.00.

Building & Maintenance

The Building & Maintenance Committee needs to be revitalized. The present members will be contacted to see if there is any interest. Otherwise, Gerard will form a new committee.

Diocesan Anniversary Committee

There has been no action taken on the planned museum.

The next meeting will take place on May 3, 1006.

Submitted by: Jeannie Garland