Worship Commission Meeting Minutes

Updated: Friday, May 18, 2012

WORSHIP COMMISSION MEETING

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Present: Father Mark, Deacon Peter, Art Angst, Dave Minetto, Margaret Minetto, George Ritter, Mary Sue Weston, Diane Wallick, Judi Steele

Absent: Dave Ryan, Sharon Martinez

Meeting called to order at 7pm. Judi Steele led us in prayer of invocation to the Holy Spirit.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as submitted.

Father Mark expressed his thanks and appreciation for the successful Holy Week and Easter liturgy celebrations. He especially mentioned the beautiful environment and music, and said that he had received many good comments from members of the community. He mentioned that the filling of our current vacancies on the Worship Commission would probably wait until a new pastor is assigned.

OLD BUSINESS

Lenten Retreat/Reconciliation: Comments on Father Serge Probst – he was a good speaker with an uplifting message of the redemptive nature of suffering; very engaging; his strong emphasis on Reconciliation resulted in many people benefiting from the Sacrament. Lenten Reconciliations were in good numbers, including the Religious Education children.

Passion Sunday: Thanks given to God for the lack of rain for the processing and for the overall liturgy. Suggestion made to order many more Palms next year, as our supply was depleted by the 9:00am Mass on Sunday.

Holy Thursday: The washing of feet ceremony went well, with a well chosen sample of individuals to represent our parish. Mention made that there could have been better preparation for the ushers’ role in removing the chairs after, but that the acolytes and others all helped. Interest for attending MC classes given by the Archdiocese was suggested; to be discussed further. Mention made that the procession to the chapel (without going outside) and having the kneelers in the chapel worked well.

Good Friday: Consensus is that it is good to have both the afternoon and evening Liturgy for convenience of parishioners. Mention made of the relatively long meditations on the Stations of the Cross and the fact that some found it difficult to follow the procession. Father Mark stated that there is an option for shorter meditations. Good comments on the veneration of the Cross: the touching and solemnity of the action. Mention of difficulty for the acolytes holding the Cross – excess pressure caused discomfort. Thanks to Diane for creating the drape for the Cross.

Easter Vigil: Deacon Peter commended for his singing of the Exultet. Comments on the excellent readers chosen, who put life and meaning into the Scriptures….although lengthy, the readings did not seem so. The Baptism and Confirmation went well…combined Profession of Faith of the newly baptized and the congregation saved some time. The candle-lighting by the whole congregation was very beautiful and a way of all being involved. Suggestions for next year: Overall planning should be done earlier, including scheduling of altar servers, preparation of the binders for the readings and petitions, and a complete practice for each of the liturgies.

NEW BUSINESS

1^st Holy Communion: Celebration will be on Sunday, April 29, 2012. With the ceremony quickly approaching on May 29, earlier planning for the event next year was suggested for enlisting ushers and Eucharistic Ministers, perhaps with a bulletin notice inviting relatives of the communicants to serve.

Confirmation: Bishop William Justice will celebrate on May 26, 2012, 10:30am. Betty Ann Motylewski, is planning and rehearsal will be Friday, May 25^th, 7:00pm.

For both of the above, it has been suggested that the parish coordinators for the Sacraments be invited one of our Worship Commission Meetings well in advance of the events. In that way, the Commission can offer its help and aid in the smooth celebration of the liturgies.

Music Ministry: Announcement made that George Ritter will be “retiring” from formal duties in the Music Ministry and that Sharon Martinez will be cutting back also. Effective the Sunday after Pentecost, the organ music at the 7:30am Mass will be eliminated. Sharon will continue to serve at other Masses, as her schedule permits. We commend their dedication to St Peter’s music ministry for the many years they have served. An announcement in the bulletin will be made for organists/pianists willing to serve. Lack of cantors is also a concern, and we will look to solicit more.

Resignations on Worship Commission: Jean Taylor and Carolyn Tomola’s resignations leave two vacancies. As mentioned above, the filling of vacancies on the Worship Commission would probably wait until a new pastor is assigned.

Other: For the future, the Worship Commission will encourage communication with various ministries in the parish, which will help in the preparation of special events. Mention also made of obtaining red sashes for the altar servers for Passion Sunday, Good Friday and Pentecost.

UPCOMING DATES

The May meeting of the Worship Commission will be held Thursday, May 17^th.

A dessert “pot luck” was decided upon. Suggestion made to invite Betty Ann Motylewski to see if the Commission can provide her any assistance for the upcoming Confirmation.