May 10, 2006

1. Father opened the meeting opened with a prayer and blessing for the Archbishop, and for the deliberations of this meeting.
   
2. The chairman Michael Valiquette outlined the objectives of the meeting.
   a. Extend Father's term of assignment at St. Brigid's
   b. Get out the message of caring community/family to all parishioners, friends and other churches, groups in the city.
   c. Develop a program of funding for the building
   
3. The parishioners voted unanimously to put together a brief to extend Father's term here at St. Brigid's. He is due for retirement in approximately I 1/4years ) so it makes little sense (cents) to have him go over to Assumption, with their priest coming over here. There is a number of precedence established.
   
4. It makes no sense to create a rebellion to resolve these matters. Much more can be accomplished by politeness. A criterion to keep a church open is 100 families who family income is $50,000. We can meet this, and much more and must do so to indicate our commitment. $2,500 from a parish of this size is not acceptable to have a good operational budget. More must be given.
   
5. The Archbishop is"playing dirty' and we must not respond on that level. We must emphasize what we are about to the people of this city, and carry on the tradition of a caring community stretching out to help others, as the previous parishioners and our ancestors who built this church did.
   
6. We must put forward a block of some short to seek time to bring the Archbishop to the table.
   
7. Foresight must be brought to the attention of the diocese, so that in 10 years as this community changes and grows, the need for a church with this stature and size will be necessary. We will not be able to build or buy a place such as this for prayer.
   
8. Father Arana agreed to talk to the Ambassador from the Philippines, as well as the Spanish and Irish Ambassadors.
   
9. It was suggested that a liturgical list be prepared with all the ministries, members and officials be prepared. The last one to Msgr. Powers was very effective in indicating the strength internally of the parish. This is concrete proof of a strong spiritual community.
   
10. We have a very limited time. There is every indication that this edict will take effect in June of this year. With it starting the attendance will go down as well as the collection will be eroded.
    
11. Appeals to the Vatican have not been successful in the past according to Father. They are referred back to the Archbishop. However, it will still to be considered as an avenue of approach. It should be based on the pastoral care of the flock, and the sensitivity of the people first, rather than the building.
    
12. It was suggested that we have a big party in conjunction with Doors Open on June 3 and 4 , and have a lunch cooked for the Shepherds of Good Hope and the Sister Eleanor Fund, develop media awareness of this event, barbeques going, Sister Eleanor information in the church, the choir singing,
    
13. We must speak to our values - 'hospitality, community and spirituality' a caring community.
    
14. Outline our accomplishments - St. Brigid's Camp, History of lower town, Hockey, Sister Eleanor.
    
15. A member should also sit on the Transition Committee. It is a reasonable idea to get full disclosure of activities.
    
16. It was determined that we should establish a Task Force and Committees, with responsibilities for Public Relations and Communication, Petition, Legal, Vigils, Fund Raising and Heritage. Lists were then prepared. (see below). Those who wished to put names on the list were asked to do so.
    
17. The meeting was closed with a prayer from Father Arana.
    
18. Groups were asked to meet for several minutes to get to know their members and plan to meet before Monday next.

The next meeting of the group will be Monday May 15 at 7:30 in the church hall.

Heritage Communications Petitions

• Barry Padolsky
• Chris Borgal
• Elizabeth Krug
• Richard Fairweather
• Daniel Kane

Communications

• Miguel Planas
• Sam Mandia 
• Ann Young 
• Margaret Meurant 
• Theresa Carty 
• Tina Kuchciak
• Joanne Harvey
• Debbie Rowan
• Cheyenne Carty
• Ellie

Petitions

• Emie Fairweather
• Jennifer Morin
• Paul Mayer
• Alice Hilchie
• Melanie Gagnon

Task Force

• Art Cuenco
• Jim Donoghue
• Father Arana
• Pat Gillin
• Procy Belda
• Marilyn Donoghue
• Gordon Hilchie

Legal

• Patrick Murray
• Tom Conway
• Roy Guertin
• Joe Konst
• John Dodsworth

Fund Raising

• Ann Young
• Judy Hardwick Kelly
• Thonet Hardwick
• Bridget Guglich

Vigil

• Flordelisa Marcelo
• Matt Wuhr
• Sister Essie
• Gerry Panes
• Mayeen del Agua