Minutes from the meeting held on February 28, 2006.

The meeting began with a Scripture reading and the parish prayer.

We reviewed and accepted the Minutes of the January meeting.

We had a short discussion on our revisions of the church mission statement and agreed to spend more time next month on submitting any suggestions for change to the group. A handout of re-written statements and statements from other churches were submitted to those present. We have asked council members to bring any new suggestions to the next meeting.

An update on adult formation/education began by discussing the listening session. Norma Murphy gave the members a handout called Sacred Heart Community Meeting. Questions were submitted to the council regarding the purpose of the listening meeting along with the targeted population. We discussed ways to make it inviting for people to join us and how to work effectively with them when they do come. A Committee will be responsible for the program which probably will occur in the Fall. Volunteers from the PPC will be needed for a variety of tasks.

The school principal, Mrs. Katherine Hunter, spoke to the group about her willingness to give individuals a tour of Sacred Heart School. It would be advisable to make an appointment but both staff and students are very enthusiastic about showing their school. Mrs. Hunter also spoke about the Virtus training for Sacred Heart Parish which will occur on March7th. The trainer is Sister Mary Joan Lofgren. We will review the attendance of people that went through CAP and coordinate the remaining programs for those who have not attended either training.

Mrs. Hunter announced that the school received re-accreditation. They are very happy and certainly expected that good news. Some changes that will occur at the school will be a focus on technology upgrade, and a science lab. We talked about trying to increase enrollment. Probably the best method of attracting students would be for parishioners to sing its praises. We also discussed what we are doing to broaden our relationships within the community. Father O’Brien and staff attend many local professional gatherings and hope to continue.

More on adult education: the next book for discussion will be "Night" by Elie Wiesel. The book for discussion in February was "Cry, the Beloved Country" by Alan Paton.

The Lenten insert placed in our bulletins was a description of all aspects of worship with the schedule of liturgies and events listed on the back. We gave tremendous praise to Howard Lotis who put it together. 

One of the topics discussed this week was concern about the church in Germantown which is part of the Holy Trinity Church in Quincy. St. Boniface Church was closed and the assistance given regarding financial advice, family counseling and actual assistance with food is difficult for people to give up. Father English and St. Vincent DePaul will do whatever they can. There is food available but it goes very quickly.  We may need to assist in organizing whatever resources are available.

We will be in need of some new members on our Parish Pastoral Council in the Fall of 2006. It would be helpful if our current members would talk to others within the parish about the upcoming openings.

Our next PPC meeting date has been changed to March 21^st due to the Lenten Retreat with St. Ann Parish.

Members in attendance this evening were O’Brien, Feeney, Kinsella, O’Sullivan, Riordan, Hunter, Princiotto, Murphy, O’Toole, Salenius, Squires and Lotis.