October 24, 2024 
Pastoral Council Snapshot from the Oct. 21, 2024 Meeting:
In attendance: Fr. Mark Suslenko, Mary Kate Hallisey, Kim Franklin, Sarah Johnson, Damien Walsh, Rob Gingras, Donna Berger, David Garrido-Cid
- We continue to see a flow of people into the Parish from near and far, from a wide range of ages, generations, and spiritual experiences. While exciting, this also indicates a need for personnel resources to absorb the influx, including volunteers and staff.
- An RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program, led by Deacon Bill, is starting and underway in our Parish. Multiple people have signed up for the program. Exciting news!
- We also continue to see a good number of weddings. Our doors are open for those who want to get married and encounter God here.
- Deacon Steve is now retiring from his diaconate duties. He will continue to function as a deacon with reduced duties.
- Religious Education: About 400 students are registered for 2024-25, a similar number to last year (23-24). We notice a higher level of attendance and engagement of families in the scheduled Grade-level Masses. This is very encouraging!
- Seeing the influx of people and positive energy, is it time to expand our building with an addition? YES. Paperwork and bureaucracy are delaying the process: a permit from the town, a $ estimate for the project, and permission from the Archdiocese.
- Eucharistic ministering to nursing homes: Sharing our Parish weekly bulletin, offering one-on-one prayer time, and engaging the Welcome Home ministry might be good approaches to reaching an increasing number of newer Catholic residents who seem not to be currently interested in receiving the Eucharist.
- We need to engage teenagers, post-confirmation-age youth, and young adults further. We discussed how this may be accomplished. The Parish wants to know what they want to do, what their Parish can offer them, and what they can offer to the Parish. Young people are also called to ministry and have the chance to make a difference and be leaders. When young members are here, actively participating in Parish life, it spreads the message and the feeling that their faith matters. It builds church!
The current Pastoral Council Members are Terry Bedard, Donna Berger, Deacon Bill Dziatko, Kim Franklin, David Garrido-Cid, Rob Gingras, Megan Grindle, Mary Kate Hallisey, Sarah Johnson, Brittany Solony, Tod Umbach, Damien Walsh, and Deacon Steve Weaver.
The Pastoral Council meets regularly to consider and discuss our parish’s Pastoral and Spiritual needs. Click here to share your thoughts with the Pastoral Council.
