Present: Betty Browne, Miriam Duran, Conchita Gonzalez, Valerie Luizer, Joan McCann, Mary McDonald, Therese Miller McQuillan, Julie Nsanzurwimo, Rev. Raymond Rafferty, Leonard Robertson, Marcia Ruiz, Mark Temple-Raston.

Absent: Tom Croft, Bro. Lawrence Lavallee, Ann Plogsterth.

Since Tom Croft was absent, Julie Nsanzurwimo volunteered to report the meeting.

Opening Prayer: Since the meeting started right after the Mass for the Repose of the Holy Father’s soul, the opening prayer was skipped.

Amendments and Approval of Minutes of March 7, 2005 Council Meeting: Therese Miller McQuillan moved that the March minutes be approved. Approved.

Welcome to the new Parish Council members: Betty Browne, President of the Parish Council welcomed the new members and an introduction by everybody followed.

Pastor’s Report:

v Father Rafferty recalled that the project to repair the roof was begun in the summer of 2004. With the help of the Archdiocesan Building Commission, New York Roof Restoration was selected. They erected a scaffold, and work continued into November. Then it abruptly ended without completion. They appeared once in January, and calls to them and the Building Commission were unanswered. Finally work was supposedly completed in late February- early March and scaffolding removed. Fr. Rafferty has called the Building Commission to get the work inspected, but they haven't replied. The rainstorm in early April showed that there still was leaking in the school. The Building Commission sent the contractors down, and Brother Larry saw them. It is not yet determined if they have done the repairs. It also is necessary for a new bidding process to see if the second part of the project, a play space, can be done.

v Maintenance:
There has been a suggestion to paint the whole church by October 2006- October 2007; but it has been suggested to paint the Sanctuary sooner than later. So Father Rafferty will make contacts to see if this can be done before the start of the anniversary period.

One of the companies thinks they can do the Sanctuary before without disrupting the church service.

v Work on the door: Father Rafferty passed around estimates from one company and said that he needed some council members to have a look at it and see if it is something that can be done properly and in a timely fashion. Father Rafferty expressed some doubts because the person is not always prompt but he wants to make sure that once started it can be finished. The doors would be moved and stored in the convent. The work could start any day as soon as possible. Betty and Mark agreed to look into it.

v Information about the Sant’ Egidio group was given to the new members and briefly explained.

v Father Rafferty announced that he had been granted a Sabbatical by the Louisville Institute and that he’ll take it; it will start Mid June to August 1^st. Fr. Wiseman agreed to fill in from June 20 to August 4. To win the grant Father Rafferty submitted an abstract entitled “Thomas Merton and the Church of his Rebirth” and he was one of the 50 applicants who were granted the Sabbatical among 350 applicants. Congratulations!

Principal’s Report: The principal was not there, so there was no principal’s report.

Centennial Committee Report: Betty Browne, who is also a member of the Centennial Committee reported that the Committee met on March 29, 2005. She also reported that next Sunday, a few members of the Committee will speak at all masses to explain what they are doing and ask for people to volunteer on different committees.

Parish Directory: There was no report since Tom Croft was not there.

Spring Social: The spring social will take place on May 22, 2005 at 2:00 pm. It will be a brunch after the 1:00 o’ clock mass. Betty Browne asked volunteers to help put the event together. They will meet on 4/11/05 evening in the Newman room and will let Father Rafferty know about the estimated price on 4/12.

Old Business: Marcia reminded the Council about the alumni committee and said that alumni will be contacted to let them know about the Centennial. Father Rafferty proudly noted that he had never seen alumni who are so incredibly loyal to their grammar school as are CCS alumni. He also asked Marcia to come up with a format to refer to for future Parish Council elections.

New Business:

v Mary McDonald raised the question of a possible deal between Corpus Christi School and Teachers College in terms of securing some courtyard, play street, and access to the swimming pool for CCS children as well as access to other programs like music. Leonard Robertson agreed to follow up on that collaboration with the President of TC.

v Conchita talked about the Mohegan Sun Trip on 4/16/05 and reminded people to make reservations. She also brought up the fact that her boss who also attends Corpus Christi Church , but in Queens started a sending cards practice to people who are lonely and have no relatives. The practice became popular and people appreciate it. Phone calls to those people can be made too. She then talked about the Way of The Cross that is done in Spanish and how people had expressed their wish to have it in English, and she suggested that somebody should take charge and organize it in English.

Election of the Parish Council President:

Father Rafferty thanked Betty who has been the Parish Council for a good while, but said that the election of a new president will take place in the coming months after members have come to know each other.

The next meeting will be held on Monday May 2, 2005 at 7:30.

The meeting then concluded.

Reported by Julie Nsanzurwimo

MINUTES OF MEETING OF PARISH COUNCIL OF CORPUS CHRISTI PARISH

June 6, 2005 at 7:30 PM.

Present: Tom Croft, Elizabeth Browne, Rev. Raymond Rafferty, Marcia Y. Ruiz, Conchita Gonzalez, Mary McDonald, Julie Nsanzurwimo, Valerie Luizer, Therese Miller McQuillan & Leonard Robertson.

Absent: Bro. Lawrence Lavallee, Miriam Duran, Joan McCann, Ann Plogsterth, & Mark Temple-Raston.

Opening Prayer: Rev. Raymond Rafferty.

Amendments & Approval of Minutes of April Meeting: Terri Miller McQuillan moved that the May Minutes be approved. Seconded by Valerie Luizer. Approved.

Pastor’s Report: Fr. Rafferty reported that: 1) Roof repairs have been inspected & approved so the bill will be paid. 2) The painting contract has been signed. Work will begin on Monday, August 15 & completed by October 1. 3) The auditorium has to be set up for daily Mass on Sunday, August 14 so, prior to that date, it has to be assessed & the various items assembled. This should be done over the summer. A list of the items was handed out. 4) 10-15 parishes, including Corpus Christi, have been chosen to be part of a pilot project by the Archdiocese for its financial campaign. The Parish Council will work closely with the Centennial Committee. 5) The priests covering the parish in Fr. Rafferty’s sabbatical are: Msgr. Sullivan, Fr. Wizeman & Fr. Alfredo from the Philippines. 6) An estimate for the cleaning of the organ & painting of the organ area was distributed but no action will be taken at this time. 7) The Church doors have been removed for repair & painting while temporary ones have been installed. The project is due for completion in early August. It may be necessary to call a Council meeting during the summer.

Principal’s Report: Betty Browne gave the report in Bro. Lawrence Lavallee’s absence: 1) The take a Video/CD Home program of stories was a success. 2) The Archdiocesan Religion test for grades 3-8 will take place on June 7. 3) There will be two graduations: i) 8^th grade on June 17 at 5 PM; ii) kindergarten on June 23. 4) 183 student population for next year (so far). 5) The spring benefit raised $100,000.00 which is an excellent result.

Centennial Committee Report: Minutes of May 24 meeting received. Ann Plogsterth absent so no further information was given.

Parish Brunch: Marcia thanked everyone who participated in the organization & implementation of the event. About 70 people attended. There was a good response to the raffle. A wonderful spirit pervaded the day that added to its enjoyment. $3,300.00 was raised. Jane Hart has suggested that, on one of the Sundays in September, a pancake breakfast be served after each Mass. This suggestion was endorsed by the Parish Council.

Report on the Westside Collaboration for Archdiocesan Realignment Meeting: Tom Croft said that he was disappointed that the meeting did not stay with its agenda but devolved into a session of complaints against the Archdiocese, clergy & laity after beginning on a positive note.

Report on the Voice of the Faithful Meeting: Conchita Gonzalez gave a lengthy report that she found the day to be very informative & supportive.

Parish Directory Report: Tom Croft distributed a Census Form he has designed to distribute in September. Several suggestions were made that will be incorporated into it.

Old Business: 1) Marcia Ruiz presented the detailed Election Report. It will be filed in the Rectory Office as a guideline for future elections. 2) Leonard Robertson reported that Teachers’ College broke an agreement when it erected a new building on a playground that was used by Corpus Christi School. He is discussing the issue with certain people at the College to get some redress.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, September 12 at 7:30 PM.

The meeting then adjourned.

Submitted by Tom Croft.