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The Parish Council works as an advisory board to Father Barry in the areas of education, human needs growth and expansion, liturgy and social activities. The council is the core, but the real heart is the parishioner who supports and serves the endeavors. We consist of ten adults (eight are elected, serving two-year terms, and 2 are appointed by Father Barry), and four high school youth, serving one year terms Parishioners are always welcome at council meetings, which are held the second Monday of the month (September through June). Our meetings begin at 7:00 PM, in the Fr. Fanning Hall. PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS 2007-2008 President Kevin Zupkus Annette Babarik 577-2383 (2007-2010) Parish Council meetings are held the 2nd Monday of each month in Fr. Fanning Hall from 7-8:30PM. Parishioners are invited to attend. Council minutes are available here or by calling the rectory office EDUCATON Our Goal is to develop each person's faith through religious education and encourage individuals to actively participate in our parish family. Through the efforts of our Director of Religious education and 100 volunteers, nearly 500 young adults and children nurture their faith and learn what it means to be Catholic today. Through the generosity of a parishioner we are able to award scholarships to high school seniors pursuing higher education. We are developing an Adult Enrichment Program featuring events as Advent Scripture Series and including a Lenten series "Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving" and an "Elder Care Program". Growth and Parish Expansion This committee examines current facilities and plans for future development to meet our short and long term needs. Our facilities are over 80 years old and have never undergone any major expansions. As a result of steady growth in our parish population and increased parishioner involvement in church functions, our facilities have been recognized as a major constraint to supporting this growth and encouraging future growth. Preliminary study has identified needs for future development of a Parish Center and the long-term possibility of a larger church. A Parish Center would accommodate religious education programs (youth and adult); community outreach programs (House of Cans, Carolyn's Place etc); and offices for priests, deacons, religious education director, instructors, administrative services and social committees. With facilities designed for these ses, a rectory could be properly developed to house resident priests and visiting clergy. SOCIAL AFFAIRS Our goal is to provide social events that will bring parishioners together in a casual atmosphere, hopefully on a monthly basis. With these gatherings, we hope to enrich friendships among parishioners. We would like to be a catalyst in creating a more tightly knit parish family who serve the Church and community with a vibrant Christian spirit. "Wine Tasting Programs" are sponsored throughout the calendar year. YOUTH Our goal is to bring the youth closer together by coordinating activities, such as the picnic, or through community service projects. HUMAN NEEDS Our goal is to nurture the spirit of our Faith amongst parishioners, fellow Catholics and non-Catholics by supporting outreach programs in our community and the greater Waterbury area, Carolyn's Place, located in Waterbury, is dedicated to supporting the pro-life movement,. A telephone hot line is staffed 24 hours a day by approximately 59 volunteers. Our parish youth collect baby items and help with maintenance. St. Vincent dePaul Shelter, Soup Kitchen and Sandwich Team. Parishioners make regular trips to the Waterbury shelter to help with maintenance, serve meals and visit the residents. Five teams of sandwich makers meet every five to six weeks and make approximately 100 sandwiches. House of Cans. In conjunction with the youth group, food items are collected and distributed to needy Middlebury families. Storage of these items has always presented a challenge. A storefront to make items available at regular times would be ideal. Giving Tree A Christmas Tree is adorned with the names of children at St. Cecilia's (our sister parish in Waterbury). This past year, parishioners donated toys for 500 children Right To Life Our mission is to increase the public's awareness on the sanctity of life during all stages of pregnancy. We assist the national effort to eliminate abortion as a choice for young mothers. LITURGY Our goal is to promote community prayer and worship in a reverent and meaningful way. We help plan and implement parish liturgical celebrations including those for Advent and Christmas; Lent, Holy Week and Easter; and special events such as retreats and prayer services. We are responsible for recruiting, training and scheduling of Eucharistic Ministers, readers and alter servers.
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