St. Mary Manchester PPC Minutes
January 6, 2021
Present: Fr. Bosco, Dcn Dennis, Jason Young, Martin Brogley, Kathy Sangster, Lynn Waldecker, Connie Schaffer, Eve Ball
Absent: Tina Doyle, Bill Punches, Beth Ball
Others Present: Lisa Dobis, Kathy Cornell (fish Fry)
Meeting: was called to order at 7:07pm by President Jason Young with a prayer.
Minutes: were approved as presented.
Agenda: was approved with one added item under new business (discussion on Dcn Dennis homily about music)
Old Business:
Evangelization Update: Dcn Dennis didn’t have anything new to bring to council other than the next Evangelization Meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan 11 at 7:00pm at the Father Fisher Hall.
New Business:
Lenten Fish Fry: Lisa Dobis and Martin Borgley were in attendance to discuss changes for the 2021 fish Fry. Lisa said that she was concerned about the confined work area which might be an issue due to needing extra workers to be able to accommodate the increase in takeout dinners. We will be offering take dinners out only. Eve Ball presented a drawing that her husband Bud has been working on that would allow for 2 lanes and 2 takeout windows and a cashier booth. Discussion followed-no decision. It was decided that dinners would contain 3 pieces of fried fish, french fries, coleslaw, roll and cookies. The dinners will be made up and ready to go only having to add fish and fries. We will not be able to accommodate any special requests. All dinners will be the same at a price of $12.00 each. We will need extra workers that can be called in case of sickness. Martin will be asking the Knights if they might be available to help out if needed. We will also need volunteers to direct traffic and ladies to bake cookies at the Parish Center. Sign-up sheets will be available soon. Serving will start at 4:00pm and end at 7:00pm or when we run out of food, whichever comes first.
Homily on Music: There was considerable discussion concerning Dcn Dennis’s homily on Sunday. It was decided that maybe the pulpit was not the place to address this issue and that the Dcn should finish his discussion as a bulletin insert or article. Dcn Dennis actually wants to suggest some new music which would include some appropriate praise and worship music. Dcn did not think that we had the resources to offer masses with different types of music. Council would like to see a list of music that parishioners would like to hear at mass, this would help Benjamin choose new music. Council discussed that the music such as the Kyrie and Gloria are just played to slow and asked Father Bosco to suggest to Benjamin to change the tempo. We would like to see the entry music and exit music more uplifting and joyful. A discussion on introducing ‘Gregorian Chant’ did not bring much support due to the fact that we do not have enough choir members to do it properly and it was suggested to ask Benjamin to stop the prelude before the entrance hymn. When asked what our goal was council said to ‘CELEPRATE MASS JOYFULLY’.
Father Bosco stated that we were requested by the Diocese of Lansing to apply for the government offered PPP loan if our quarterly income was down by 25% compared to last year’s income. The good news is that we did not need to apply for this loan due to the good support of our parishioners. Our monthly donations are as such that we have been able to meet our current parish needs.
Father also mentioned that the Parish Center religious education office and entrance ceiling has been repaired and painted thanks to Jason Young and Bud & Eve Ball who have also agreed to do the next carpentry project and fix the flooring in the religious education office.