Parish Festival Meetings

PARISH MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 4

Forty-five parishioners attended this parish meeting. Reports of the parish self-study were given to each person. (One report of the parish self study is available in our church library that is located in the gathering area of the church.) The format of the evening was to present each of the committees’ reports of what they had done in the last four years since they were instituted by the last self study. They also presented what they would like to do in the future. Other areas of parish life were also presented such as UIA, St. Vincent de Paul, Parish Finances, statistics on Sacraments, youth, and Religious Education. After each section was presented, parishioners had an opportunity to ask questions, present suggestions, or give comments.

The parish history for the last four years was presented. The Education Committee report was presented. One of the parishioners wanted to have an evaluation from one of the committee members about the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament that is held on the first Sunday of each month in the chapel. Janice Lord reported that about sixty people participate in the Adoration during the course of the afternoon. About twenty-five to thirty people participate in the Holy Hour for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. A suggestion was also made that Fr. John Sweeney be invited again to speak about the Passion of the Lord.

The Health Care Committee report was given. After reading some of the accomplishments that the Committee had done in the last four years, parishioners asked whether the program for caregivers and a training session for CPR would be repeated. Sue Foster responded that the Caregivers Program was sponsored by St. James and St. John the Baptist Churches only for that time because it is difficult to get the same speakers again. One person responded to the CPR program. Announcements will be placed in the bulletin to advise people where these programs might be held in the future. Another parishioner suggested that information about the prescription program for the elderly might be put into the bulletin.

Members of the Committee will look into the matter.

The Liturgical Committee also gave their report. Joan Park spoke about the Day of Recollection that the Committee is planning for Sunday, November 18, 2001 at the Family Life Center on Slocum Road.

Parishioners commented on how much they appreciated the crosses that were given to people on Ash Wednesday. Positive comments were given to the Committee for their work on decorating the church for the various liturgical seasons. Joan said that help is needed to decorate. It was decided that an announcement in the bulletin will be made before each of the seasons. Another parishioner asked if the Advent and Lenten Bible study that was part of the activities of this committee in the last four years would continue. It will not continue because very few people attended the day and night sessions.

The Hospitality Committee’s report was given. As parishioners looked at what had been done by the committee, a parishioner asked what the reaction was of newly registered parishioners to the welcome letter that they received from the committee. Fr. Ed responded that he has not received any response. Another parishioner commented positively on the greeters. It was explained that at times there will be greeters at the doors, but it will not be a regular occurrence because we were not able to get enough people to do it on a regular basis. It was also reported that last Sunday we had the blessing of babies that had been baptized at St. James a year ago. A medal and beautifully decorated certificate was available to the families who came for the special blessing. Twenty invitations were sent. Four families responded and came. It was reported that the Committee would like to try other Masses to see if the response would be greater.

The report on the Pastoral Care to the Sick was given. One parishioner asked if all the nursing homes in the city are covered by parishes. Fr. Ed responded by saying that he thought that was the situation.

The report on youth was given. Fr. Ed expressed that this is his greatest regret that we have not been able to reach out to the youth by having a youth group. Tim Zajac, who had been on the Parish Pastoral Council last year to represent the youth of the parish, said that young people are very busy today with jobs, school involvement, and homework. He agreed that all was done to reach out to the youth for such a group. Other parishioners agreed that young people are very busy today and don’t have the time. Tim Zajac cited the self-study report that acknowledges the involvement of young people in our parish as being altar servers, lectors, choir members, and teachers in our Religious Education program. The "Teens" program in Fairhaven and South Dartmouth was also mentioned.

The report on Religious Education was given.

A suggestion was made that we create a program on our Web Site that could answer young peoples’ questions. All of this was referred to Deacon Larry St Onge.

The financial report was given. a Parishioner asked whether there was any major project that was being planned. Fr. Ed explained that we are still trying to solve the problem with the leak over the main entrance. Once the leak is found and repaired, the main hall will be painted. Another parishioner asked why there would be no more Booster Club. Fr. Ed responded that there weren’t enough people who signed up to make it a success. Each year the numbers of people participating ,and the profit has been less.

The St. Vincent De Paul report was given. Fr. Ed also added that the food that was collected during the Lenten Season was half of what we had received the year before. It was explained that presently eight families from the parish receive food each week from our parish food pantry. Mary Castelina said that more workers are needed to serve in the food pantry at 238 Bonney St. now the site of the Catholic Social Services. An announcement will be placed in the bulletin.

The statistics of the sacraments received and the attendance at Masses on the weekend were given. One parishioner asked why only 600 people out of the 1,600 registered parishioners come to Mass on the weekend. Fr. Ed said that he did not know. Fr. Ed also said that he will try to keep Confirmation at St. James for as long as he can. The number of students is declining each year. There may be a time when Confirmation will have to be celebrated with another parish. People showed amazement at the number of funerals that were celebrated in 2000 (eighty funerals)

Fr. Ed commented that many of these people were very closely connected to the parish. Another parishioner asked how many people attend the 8 a.m. Sunday Mass. Fr. Ed said that less than one hundred attend each Sunday. However, all Masses will remain on Sunday. None of our Masses have over two hundred people attending.

In our general discussion parishioners talked about the need for more joy at our Masses. The discussion was lively. No final answer was found.

This is the last of our parish meetings. We have had five parish meetings in the last seven years. They were opportunities for parishioners to share their thoughts, ideas, suggestions, and evaluations. The self study was accepted as the guide for our parish’s future plans. We will continue now with the suggestions and direction of the Parish Pastoral Council. Parishioners are still invited to present any ideas to the Council members in the future. The bulletin will still be the means of communication to all parishioners.