Meeting Minutes
Notes from Needham Parish Voice Meeting
Thursday, February 5, 2004
John Kelley welcomed everyone and the meeting opened with a prayer.
Mary Keyes reported that she and a few other NPV members attended the Parish Pastoral Council meeting on January 27. The first item on the agenda was the parish closing issue. Fr. Lawlor stated that a committee from St. Joseph�s and one from St. Bart�s would be meeting to discuss the two questions. Recommendations will be submitted to the regional vicar by March 8. Other items on the agenda included the new youth group that is being formed; the parish auction; and the possibility of a parish social in the year that there was no auction.
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There was then discussion about how the general parish membership could participate in this process. We do not believe that there is any plan to have a listening session or an open meeting. Should NPV sponsor such an event? Bill Fitzgerald will check with Fr. McGaugh to see what the plan is at St. Bart�s and report back.
Don Pachuta reported on the Support of Priests. His committee talked with a few priests asking what VOTF could do for support. Some of the comments were:
. accused clergy are in limbo
. they need our prayerful support
. the 8:30 a.m. Mass on first Saturday is appreciated
. they want VOTF to put more emphasis on the �positive� and the spiritual
. priests want to be treated as adult human beings. They want adult relationships with parishioners.
Mary Keyes reported that the Steering Committee had agreed to place an ad in catalog for the Parish Auction. The ad extends the best wishes of NPV for the success of the auction.
There was discussion about parishioners leaving St. Joseph. It was suggested that those people who do so write a letter to Fr. Lawlor with a copy to the Archbishop explaining why they are leaving.
Don reminded everyone of the day of healing St. Susanna�s on Saturday, February 21, 2004, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All are invited to attend.
The next meeting of NPV is Thursday, February 19, at 7 p.m. in the Linse Room
The Steering Committee meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:15 a.m. at Bagel�s Best. All members are welcome to attend.
The meeting closed with the Prayer of St. Francis.
Note: Working group list is on the NPV website.
PLEASE SIGN UP FOR ONE OF THESE.
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Notes from Needham Parish Voice Meeting
Thursday, January 15, 2004
John Magilligan welcomed everyone and the meeting opened with a prayer. About twenty-five people were in attendance.
We then went around the room for sharing, people volunteering why they are members of VOTF and why they are coming to NPV.
John Magilligan spoke about the Representative Council, which is a national organization, with one representative and one alternate from each chapter. Joe Murphy is the NPV representative and John Magilligan is the alternate. John then asked for nominations for a representative to the diocesan group. John Magilligan was unanimously elected as the NPV representative. He agreed to take the position for not longer than one year. He will keep us posted on the progress of this new group. He mentioned that ten people on the Boston Organizing Committee would be meeting on Saturday to discuss the parish closings.
The Steering Committee met on Wednesday, January 7. There was discussion of criticism of VOTF. All are encouraged to read Tony Massimini response and Fr. Orgy�s letter, both on the NPV website.
The group discussed how we could respond to Fr. Lawlor�s comments that NPV is critical of him. It was agreed that as parishioners we have a right to have something to say about the parish. We do not countenance personal attacks on anyone. It is agreed that Needham Parish Voice will stay the course and follow our goals of: Child Safety; Support of Priests; Parish Support; Support of Victims; and Education.
The Parish Council will meet on Thursday, January 27 at 7:15. There was discussion about membership to this council. Fr. Lawlor is reluctant to hold elections because of fear of a �popularity contest�. Apparently the current members were appointed either by Fr. Jim or Fr. Lawlor. Fr. Lawlor has stated that Finance Committee meetings are not open to anyone but members of the committee. Members of the Finance Committee are appointed by the pastor.
Sally Gould reported that the first Father Himes tape was shown on Sunday, January 11. There were about twenty people, including Fr. Amano and Fr. McGaugh. There was good discussion following the showing, particularly about the Sensus Fidelium. The January 18 program has been cancelled. The tapes will be shown on Sundays 25 and February 1 at 4 p.m. (This will be over before the Super Bowl broadcast). .
Don Pachuta reminded everyone that as usual the first Saturday Mass at 8:30 a.m. would be dedicated to praying for priests. All are encouraged to attend on Saturday, February 7.
Don reported that St. Susanna�s will be having a program on Sunday from 11-1 talking about the various ministries in the church open to lay people, i.e., communion service; wake service; committal service. St. Susanna�s will be having a day of healing on Saturday, February 21, 2004, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All are invited to attend.
Mary Keyes reported that she would be traveling to Peru, February 14 � 22 with Fr. Scott and Fr. John, 14 teenagers, and one parent. She thanked everyone for their support and asked the group to remember the travelers in their prayers.
Some members of NPV are now going to other parishes for Sunday liturgy. A question was raised as to whether this would present a problem for NPV and its membership.
Joe Murphy read a letter addressed to National VOTF asking whether VOTF would take a position against gay marriage and against abortion. He mentioned in his letter that this is the fourth letter he has written to the various officers of VOTF and has not gotten a response. Joe will forward the letter.
The meeting closed with the Prayer of St. Francis.
Note: PLEASE SIGN UP FOR ONE OF THE WORKING GROUPS.
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Notes from Needham Parish Voice Meeting
Thursday, December 4, 2003
John Kelley welcomed everyone and the meeting opened with a prayer. About thirty people were in attendance.
We do not yet have the working groups organized. The names of the groups and the current membership have been sent out to everyone. ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO SIGN UP FOR A WORKING GROUP.
John Kelley reported that four of us met with Father Lawlor and Father Amano. There was hope that this would be the beginning of ongoing dialog with the pastor and NPV. We wanted to share our perspectives and get the pastor�s perspective on NPV. There was hope that we could arrange for another meeting.
The meeting was strained. Father was unwilling to share his vision for the parish, stating that he had already shared it with the parish at Mass on several occasions. NPV was put in the position of defending national VOTF. The pastor and Fr. Amano raised concerns about the lack of transparency in national VOTF. They felt the Voice of Compassion was divisive. The pastor stated that some parishioners were very opposed to NPV meeting at St. Joseph�s. He further stated that we are not an �authorized organization� and are only allowed to meet because we were grandfathered in. He felt that there is an �edge� to NPV, which puts people off. He had no information on the status of a Paul Mahan trial. He wants to reach out to victims and their families. He particularly wants harmony and tranquility in the parish. When asked what we could do for the priests, Father Amano suggested that we might write notes to the current seminarians, particularly those from Needham, supporting them. Father Lawlor said he would not commit to meeting with NPV again, but John stated we would continue inviting him.
Sally reiterated what John said, only she did add to the point of transparency that when there was a question of reporting funds, VOTF responded with full reporting. She felt that Father Lawlor has a misperception of VOTF. As stated in their charter, VOTF is a centrist organization, made up of Catholics, who support the Church and its teaching. There are always people in any organization who will be either to the right or left of what the organization stands for and it must be clear when people are speaking as individuals or representatives of the group.
Bill Flanagan felt that the pastor was fearful of allowing meetings where teachings of the Church were challenged and suggested we should urge VOTF to vigorously embark on a public relations campaign to educate all Catholics that VOTF is NOT against Church teachings.
Mary, too, was disappointed in the tone and the outcome of the meeting. She thought there might be more discussion about St. Joseph�s, Father Lawlor�s vision for the parish (now that the $2M debt is behind us), and more specifically the role of the laity in this Parish. What can we do for the Parish?
There was some general discussion about the meeting with the priests and the question was raised, �Who are our critics? Can we meet with them? Can we answer their questions? Would they come to a NPV meeting/?
Father McGaugh, pastor of St. Bart�s stated that we need to keep a sense of hope. Tom Smith stated that he hoped that Bishop O�Malley would lift the ban and allow VOTF to meet freely throughout the diocese.
John Magilligan spoke about the Representative Council. Svea Fraser has said she cannot accept the nomination as president of VOTF. The Boston organizing team will bring a document to the representative council meeting stating here�s the impetus to go ahead. There will be one representative from every affiliate --- 45 people, with a steering committee of 5 people. John Magilligan will have a motion to present to the next NPV meeting.
Sally Gould has scheduled the showing of the Father Himes tapes for three Sundays in January: January 11, 18, and 25. Notice of the program will be in the bulletin.
The next meeting of the Steering Committee will meet at Bagel�s Best on Wednesday, December 10, at 7:15 a.m., following the 6:50 Mass.
The next meeting of NPV will be on Thursday, December 18, in the Linse Room. There will be no meeting on Thursday, January 1, 2004.
Don Pachula reminded everyone that on the first Saturday of every month, at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, the parish will continue to pray for priests. This notice needs to be put in the bulletin regularly.
The meeting closed with the Prayer of St. Francis.
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