The St. Thomas More Society Scranton, Pennsylvania

2301 N. Washington Avenue

Scranton, Pennsylvania 18509

Mr. Eric L. Bergman, Executive Director

Trustees Meeting

July 14, 2005

Present:  Eric L. Bergman, Ed Facciani, David Kimble, Jerry McGreevy and                   

              Don Sanderson.

Absent:  Paul Coviello, Bill Harris, and Jim Reese

St. Stanislaus Church on Oak Street in Scranton is set to close on July 31, 2005. We met   Fr. Edwards at 6:00 PM and he gave us a tour of the church and the Parish Hall (1st. Floor – auditorium with a stage and cloak room, basement level is a banquet hall, with a commercial kitchen)

We reconvened at St. Clare’s at 7:15PM

Meeting began with Prayer

Minutes of meeting held on June 2, 2005, were approved.

Financial report through June 30th was accepted:

Discussion regarding a honorarium for Fr. Connor ensued. Fr. Eric is to contact Mr. Connor’s ( Fr. Connor’s Father)  to get suggestions for a gift.  It was proposed that we have a special collection to cover the cost.

Msgr Feldcamp had a discussion with Fr. Eric regarding rent for 2006.  A modest fee of $ 50.00 per week ( $ 2,600.00 annual cost ) is requested for 2006.  Discussion ensued regarding a donation to be made to St. Clare’s for 2005. A special collection was suggested, but no resolution was made.

Boston

Theological evaluation of Fr. Eric took place on Saturday, July 9th.  A report will be provided to Bishop Martino indicating any areas that Fr. Eric was lacking  or needed further study. Whatever books are required for the further studies, we will ask Bishop Martino if there is a grant available to cover the same.  Otherwise the costs will be covered by STMS. 

Trustees approved gasoline costs and one dinner with some of the people from St Athanasius. Balance of costs were paid by Jerry McGreevy.

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Application to be ordained is in process. Bishop Martino must receive report from Fr. Stetson before the process can continue.

As part of the trip, we made a visit to St. Athanasius.  It should be noted that St. Athanasius does not have parish status and is subject to relocation at any time. They presently meet in a convent’s chapel that holds about 35 people.  The location and size of the chapel limit their ability to grow in numbers.  The Mass setting was sung and included incense.  A member of St. Athanasius (David Burt) has scripted the Missal for the Altar and missalette to be used in the pews and a copy of Proper A and Proper B.  St. Athanasius has given the computer file to STMS to be used to generate our own booklets. After Fr. Eric has reviewed them, we will get estimates to print the same. 

Pastoral concerns

              Preparing for Anglican Use Mass:

Fr. Eric would like the choir to begin to learn the music and responses for a Anglican Use Mass.  We will celebrate our first mass the Sunday following our confirmation.

Altar Boys – If Mike Kester cannot commit to train the altar boys, then Fr. Eric will begin the process.  We are supposed to be able to use St. Clare’s vestments.

First Holy Communion classes are meeting so that they can celebrate their First Communion at the same Mass that we are confirmed.

Baptismal certificates have not been received from former parishes.  If anyone has an  “original”, then Msgr will accept that as proof.  Fr. Eric would like to have this resolved this month.

Confirmation date – Fr. Eric is working with Fr. Connor to set up a meeting with Bishop Dougherty to resolve that we have met all the requirements of a Catechism Class or if there was something else required.  If we are deemed to be prepared, Fr. Eric will request that the Bishop set a date for our Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

Evangelism – Fr. Eric advised us that Ms. Linda Sepkowski from the Dioceses has volunteered to teach our next Catechism Class, which should begin in the fall, so that new members can be confirmed next Easter

Pastoral Care committee – Fr. Eric will set up and instruct those persons that want to be members of the Pastoral Care committee.  We would visit the sick and shut ins of St. Clare Parish.  Not to take communion to the sick, as Msgr Feldcamp

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does that.  We would just visit the sick and shut in’s and spend time with them.  Fr. Eric will be teaching a course on the Gospel of Life, (John Paul II’s 1995 encyclical) which is a requirement for those that want to be part of the Pastoral Care Committee.

Society concerns:

Gospel of Life classes -  Fr. Eric will be teaching this course on  after we are confirmed.  This bible study is for everyone, but would be most helpful for those that want to participate in the Pastoral Care Committee.

It has been suggested that STMS begin to capture in writing the process that we have been going through together with newspaper clippings, leaflets etc. While it was agreed this was a good idea…NOBODY accepted the challenge.

The money collected in the Ilene Harris memorial fund will be held until such time that we are a parish and then a permanent memorial will be acquired and named for her.

It has been suggested that STMS have a picnic.  Saturday, August 13th  was the date selected based on the availability of the picnic grove at Bear Creek.  Don Sanderson has arranged for STMS to use the picnic grove.  The committee will meet on  July 15th to look at the facilities and assign responsibilities  for the picnic.

Meeting closed in prayer at 9:15PM

Respectfully submitted

Jerry McGreevy

Acting Secretary