Location: Parish Centre

Present: Bernard Fitzpatrick, Dave White, Paul Baldwin, James Butt, Anastasia Furey, Msgr. Bromnley Eleanor Ash, Frank O’Keefe & Jeannie Garland (recording secretary).

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

The minutes of the December 13, 2006 meeting were reviewed. Paul Baldwin moved that the minutes of the December 13, 2006 meeting be accepted as presented. Seconded by Dave White. Motion carried.

3.1 The pews used by the choir have been placed on an angle as previously discussed. One estimate for the new audio system has been given to Monsignor Bromley and there is another one expected soon. He will present these to the Finance Committee who will then make a recommendation to the Parish Council as to how to proceed.

3.2 Paul has not yet had a chance to look into the possibility of a youth choir for the parish.  He will do so before the next meeting.

3.3 The diocese has 8 youth pilgrims who will be travelling to Australia in 2008 for World Youth Day. They would like to have 12 in all. Some people who had applied to go have decided not to including 2 from this parish. We now have only Emily Hurley who plans to go.

3.4 The issue of fund raising was discussed and the possibility of a small scale weekly bingo was discussed as well. Location would be one concern for bingo. Paul will discuss the possibility of using the Knights of Columbus club as a venue. Monsignor, who is acting as interim chair of the Finance Committee, will add the issue to the agenda for their next meeting.

3.5 The topic of the Finance Committee budget was deferred to committee reports after new business.

4.1 Parish Council Elections will take place on February 17, 2007 with nominations beginning this weekend, January 20, 21 as well as January 26, 27 and February 3,4. On the weekend of February 10, 11, the candidates will be listed in the bulletin along with a short bio of each one. Four two-year terms are available. These positions are currently held by, Frank O’Keefe, Anastasia Furey, James Butt & Gerard Butt, who were all elected in 2005. Bernard will check with each of these members individually and ask if they are interested in running for another term.

4.2 There is some concern regarding heat in the church. It seems it is usually cold in the church during Saturday evening Mass. James reported that the thermostat is left on 5° C at all times and the thermostat is programmed to cut in at 3:00 p.m. for 20° C. He is not sure if the thermostat is being tampered with or if 3:00 p.m is not early enough. After some discussion it was decided to try programming it for 2:00 p.m. and to purchase a cover for it so that it cannot be tampered with.

4.3 Bernard reported that the Presentation Sisters have a potential buyer for St. Joseph’s Convent and that  the sisters are interested in obtaining another right of way to the convent other than the one that is presently used, that is the drive way which is parallel to the rectory garage. Bernard has met with George Hawco, who represents the sisters in this matter and has discussed some possibilities with him, one of which is to use part of the property that St. Joseph’s School is on. Bernard also pointed out that this property needs to be surveyed as there is no record of ownership to the property. After some discussion on different options, Bernard pointed out that he just wanted the Parish Council to be aware of the issue and that any decisions on the matter can wait until a later date.

4.4 Monsignor Bromley told the council about a youth conference called Steubenville Atlantic that will take place in Antigonish, Nova Scotia on August, 3-5, 2007. Paul explained that this will be modelled after an annual conference held in the United States and that it is a great opportunity for our youth. It is a retreat/revival for youth who will be in grades 9-12 in the Fall of 2007. Paul will find some more information for Jeannie to publish in the bulletin. The youth of the parish will be encouraged to attend as this is much more cost effective than World Youth Day in Australia.

The minutes of the January 10, 2007 Finance Committee meeting were distributed. James pointed out that these minutes have not yet been adopted by the committee. James reported that he is currently working on the parish year- end financial report and it will be ready by February 14. He will present it to the Parish Council at the next meeting.

Paul is concerned that a budget or a business plan is not yet in place by the Finance Committee. Monsignor Bromley pointed out that all of this takes time and will come in due course.

The committee is currently looking to recruit two new members. Jack George has resigned as chair due to health reasons. Monsignor Bromley is acting as interim chair.

The next 2 meetings of the Parish Council will be held on February 28, 2007 and March 28, 2007 both beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Bernard adjourned the meeting at 8:45. Monsignor Bromley said a closing prayer.

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