Commissions & Activities

Forum Follow-Up May 2010

Opening Remarks:

On Wednesday, May 12, about 200 parishioners from Saint Ann and Saint Zepherin parishes gathered in Saint Ann parish hall for the second of a series of forums regarding the formation of one parish community. Citing the prophet Habakkuk "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets…" (2:2-3), Father Jim focused on the importance of creating a vision, which would be the foundation of our identity as a new parish community. He challenged us to imagine what we could be as one community in one location and what more we could do in outreach to the needy beyond our community.

Father Jim also pointed out that we are engaged in a distinct twofold process:
(1) uniting the two parishes into one canonically and civilly. This involves the suppression of both parishes, as it is described in cannon law and the creation of a new one with a new name. It is hoped that this will formally take place on January 1, 2011; and
(2) consolidating into one location which most likely would not occur before 2012. This will not be an arbitrary decision but one based on a thorough study of all assets and needs of the new parish. Father Jim also said that we are receiving help and encouragement from the Archdiocese during this process. The Archdiocesan office recognizes that the consolidation of parishes that was carried out in 2004 was not entirely successful. That history should not be repeated, and the Archdiocese is very interested in the path that St Ann and St Zepherin have taken to become one parish.

Many wonderful steps have already been taken regarding the first part of the process: sharing a common worship schedule; a combined staff in one location; we share a music director and youth minister; the Parish Pastoral Councils have been meeting jointly for almost a year; the worship committees are meeting jointly and the Parish Finance Councils have begun to meet together; this year's annual Appreciation Social for Volunteers and other events have been worked on collaboratively and celebrated together.

The Core Team

A Core Team has been created to facilitate the process of coming together. Steve Ahlquist was introduced as the chairperson of this team. He introduced the other members: Nancy Carapezza, Paul Connolly, Sally DeGeorge, Patricia Harlan, Paula Morgan, Richard Stack, Patty Wright and Dennis Berry who serves as a liaison with the Parish Pastoral Councils. Steve described the responsibilities of the team: to create and manage the transition schedule; facilitate discussions towards combining committees and establishing new ones; encourage communication and feedback from all parishioners; define the process for engaging the parish in selecting a name for the new parish; help the PPC in defining the mission and vision of our new parish.

The Real Estate Team

Bill Whitney, the chairperson for the Real Estate Team, introduced the other members: John Boyle, Barbara Matyi, Kevin Murphy, Bill Shannon. The Real Estate Team will address the question of what is the best use of our facilities as a combined parish. They will take responsibility for providing a recommendation for the location and character of the facility. The process will start by defining what is the ideal space and then assessing which alternative comes closest to meeting the ideal, the St Ann site, the St Zepherin site or a third site. The recommendation will be accompanied by a preliminary design and associated cost.

Both the Core Team and Real Estate Team pledged to keep parishioners informed as they progress through their respective consolidation tasks.

Questions and Answers

The forum was then opened to parishioners for questions and comments. This portion of the meeting was moderated by Dan Ponsetto, and highlights are given below.

Q. How is the value of the current church sites determined?
A. The value of the property to a purchaser is a function of the reuse of that property. Different reuses (e.g., commercial, residential) would support different purchase prices. This is the case if certain of, the present buildings are retained and the balance of the site reused, or if the site is completely redeveloped.

Q. There is a need for a new space design and cost estimate, will this be done? A. Yes, that is part of the Real Estate team charter.

Q. What happens to the money from the sale of any property or other assets? Does this money go to the Archdiocese?
A. The money does not go to the Archdiocese. Any monies realized from the sale of property or other assets belongs to the newly formed parish. This reality is governed by Canon Law concerning the merger of parishes. N.B. The current disputes between the Archdiocese and suppressed parishes holding vigils involve other issues in canon and civil law which do not apply to our situation.

Q. Who determines future parish needs?
A. That will be a combination of Real Estate Team and Parish Pastoral Councils. In addition, input will be sought from parishioners through a variety of means, including forums, suggestion boxes, and individual contact with parish committee members.
C. This should not be viewed as a merger but a mission. Funds remaining from consolidation should perhaps not be used just for a new church but also to further our Christian mission.
C. A plan/pro forma is needed for the future which takes into account demographics before and after merger, finance needs for the new parish both presently and a five year projection.

Q. Are there any restrictions to the sale of parish land?
A. There was a 50 year restriction on the sale of St. Ann property, but that restriction has expired.
C. Make certain that the Archdiocese is involved in the planning process so as to minimize any danger of our future plans being overruled. And the Eucharist and worship are the most important considerations, not parking or classroom space.

Q. Are we currently spending anything toward capital improvements at either site? It might be wasted money.
A. No, we are doing only essential maintenance work on each site. All capital improvements are on hold.

C. The worship space at St. Ann is traditional and the access for persons with disabilities is poor.
A. In the new worship space, the altar will be closer to parishioners and there will be full and appropriate accessibility for persons with disabilities. This will be true regardless of what the final site of the parish will be.

Q. Communications to parishioners will be important during the process, what are the plans to keep us informed?
A. There will be a web page accessible from either parish website with the latest developments and Core and Real Estate Team meeting minutes. The team members will be listed and identified in photos. Printed versions of developments will be available and updates will be included in the bulletin. There will also be additional parish forums, coffee hours after Masses with team and PPC members attending to answer questions and we are considering small neighborhood meetings at parishioner homes.

Q. Has any consideration been given to the youth? Could there be facilities built such as was recently done at the Trinitarian Church?
A. All options are on the table at this point. That is an excellent suggestion for the Real Estate Team and PPC to consider.

Q. Have any sites other than St, Ann and St. Zepherin been discovered?
A. No. It's very early in the real estate analysis and that has not yet been considered.

Q. How will the mission and values of the new parish be developed?
A. The joint PPC will develop the mission statement and identify the fundamental values of the new parish. The Archdiocesan Office of Pastoral Planning will provide assistance.

Q. Who makes the final decision about the site of the new parish?
A. While the ultimate decision technically resides with Cardinal Sean O'Malley, the planning effort of the type in which we are now engaged is very much encouraged by the Archdiocese.

Q. How do we get as many parish members as possible involved?
A. In the fall, we are planning neighborhood gatherings at parishioners' homes to discuss the unification. All parishioners will be invited to participate. These gatherings will make convenient for any parish member to participate and contribute.

Meeting Minutes - St. Ann and St. Zepherin Parishes

MINUTES of the joint PPC meeting March 2, 2010

Present: Len Andrews, Dennis Berry, Peggy Coons, Amy Hanania, Pat Harlan, Pat Hughes, Kate Jenney, Susan Keller, Jon Kenney, Fr. Jim, Maureen Lampert, Barbara &Phil Mayti Dan Ponsetto, Sister Roberta, Darrell Simpson, Jean Whitney

Opening Prayer: Darrell Simpson and Amy Hanania

7:05p.m. Fr. Jim announced the following people will serve on the core team: Stephen Ahlquist Nancy Carapezza Paul Connolly Sally DeGeorge Pat Harlan Paula Morgan Richard Stack Patty Wright Dennis Berry will serve as liaison from the Core Team to the PPC

The Team will meet with Fr. David Couturier, the Director of Office of Planning of the Archdiocese, in the next few weeks. He will create a "road map" for the Core Team and define for us how the Team will interact with the PPC and the other committees. Members of the PPC who are available will be invited to attend.

Fr. Jim announced the following people will serve on the Real Estate Team: John Boyle Kevin Murphy Barbara Mayti Bill Shannon Bill Whitney It was suggested that another woman be added to the Team.

Fr. Jim reported on his contacts with the Archdiocese (see full report in Fr. Jim's e-mail to the PPC on Feb 22,) There were 4 Architectural firms suggested by the Archdiocese, and we are allowed to contact an independent firm with no connections to either church or the Archdiocese. The firms will be interviewed by the Real Estate Team. Fr. Jim will be the liaison for decisions that are made by the Team. The role of an Architectural firm will be discussed.

Communications: Several parishioners responded to Amy Hanania, Pat Hughes, or Jean Whitney after the Bulletin appeal for Communication Committee members. The current Committee members are: Len Andrews, Amy Hanania, Dan Ponsetto, Sister Roberta and Jean Whitney.

There will be a joint Appreciation Celebration on Saturday, May 1st after the 5p.m. Mass. Volunteers who will help are: Peggy Coons, Pat Hughes, Kate Jenney, Susan Keller, Jon Kenney, Maureen Lampert and Barbara Mayti. The details are to be determined.

Our next PPC meeting is Tuesday, April 13th.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35p.m.

Patricia M. Harlan

Minutes of the Joint PPC Meeting - January 5, 2010

In Attendance: Leonard Andrews, Dennis Berry, Tom Chisolm, Peggy Coons (recorder), Amy Hanania, Pat Harlan, Pat Hughes, Kate Jenney, Father Jim, Jon Kenney, Barbara Mayti, Phil Mayti, Sue Muldoon, Marge O'Day, Dan Ponsetto, Sister Roberta, Darrell Simpson, Jean Whitney

Absent: Paula Flanagan, Susan Keller, Rose Narcisco

Opening prayer - 7:10 p.m.

As the Core Team and Real Estate Team will be chosen soon, it was decided that we should list items that we want each group to consider when making their recommendations to the PPC. (The Core Team and Real Estate Team are coordinating groups, not decision-making groups.) We are asking them to make recommendations toward bringing the parishes together. The following is a result of our brainstorming session in an effort to document the many issues that may need to be addressed, in the hopes of providing a focus for both the Core Team and the Real Estate Team.

CORE TEAM

The Core Team is to strategize ways to merge/combine the committees of both churches. They will determine the functions of each committee and develop a plan to bring each committee together (by a specific date). The Core Team is the group coordinating the mergers of the committees, not actually doing the work themselves.

Father David Couturier, OFM Cap, Director of Office of Planning of the Archdiocese, may be able to aid us in this regard. He has given Fr. Jim ideas about a core group and has a checklist of items to be considered. It may be helpful for him to join us and advise us as he has a certain expertise in bringing parishes together.

Considerations regarding both parishes.

Both parishes have the following committees that need to be combined:

A. Worship Committees - Core team to strategize how to merge/combine committees.

B. Music - progress has been made with merging the music of both parishes as we now have one music director.

C. Faith Formation (Family Religious Education Committees, Youth Ministry Committee, and Adult Faith Formation) - Family Religious Education and Youth Ministry need to be in place for the start of the school year next September (even if the committees are not formally merged by then - the programs and staffing should be in place). The staff is currently working on getting the programs together. We may still find ourselves with two choices of family religious education programs after our parishes merge.

D. Finance Council - By the time of the merger, both Finance Councils will be dissolved and a new one formed. (Fr. Jim is hoping to include a few current members and a few new members for this council.)

E. Pastoral Council - The Pastoral Councils of both parishes have been meeting jointly for some time now. By the time of the merger, both Pastoral Councils will be dissolved and a new one formed. (As with the Finance Council, Fr. Jim is hoping to include a few current members and a few new members for this council.)

Considerations by the Core Team going forward:
Parish Life, Christian Service Peace & Justice Committee, Property Committee, Pre-School Committee, Stewardship Committee; Safe Environment Committee; the Fall Fair, maintain our relationship with St. Matthews Parish in Dorchester, can drive, giving tree, diaper drive, social events.

We are reminded of the reconfiguration documents produced a few years ago when we thought we had to close one of the churches. It may be helpful for us to review those documents as they contained all of the reasons we needed both of our parishes to stay open. Staff members will check the records at the Pastoral Center and try to retrieve those documents.

Other miscellaneous items to be addressed by the Core Team include how to go about choosing a name for our new parish; our new mission statement; and ritualizing traditions of each parish's history. We'd like to preserve what our histories are and continue with the most important aspects of both of our parishes. We expect there to be a grieving process as part of our transition to one parish.

REAL ESTATE TEAM

Members of the Real Estate Team need some sort of commercial real estate experience and expertise. The following is a list of items to be considered when the Real Estate Team makes their recommendations.

value of properties (including current evaluations), legal aspect (ramifications),
"buildability", wetlands consideration, zoning limitations, conservation issues, Septic, traffic flow, Parking, renewal v. building new, assessment of needs of joint parish, "green" remodeling, handicapped accessibility (to sanctuary also), demographics (where are our parishioners), Board of Health and town requirements, envisioning what we need for our mission - does space promote our vision, State requirements, ultimate disposition of property.

The decision regarding real estate is ultimately the cardinal's but we feel confident that he will agree with our decisions. The Real Estate Team will present findings and the PPC will work with their recommendations. The PPC will be the sounding board of sorts. Once the decisions are made regarding real estate, the Real Estate Team could then do a similar presentation like the one done by our Finance Councils.

Formation of new Communications Committee:

Lois Paul has continued to be of assistance regarding communications. She has produced a document entitled "Draft Communications Plan Framework" containing suggested strategies to keep our parishioners informed and engaged going forward. The soon-to-be-formed Communications Committee will study this document and determine how best to handle the ideas Lois has suggested in an effort to keep information at the forefront and keep the parishioners in the loop.

The PPC agreed with Ms. Paul's recommendations regarding a Communications Committee as it is such an important part of our successful merger. The Committee will be responsible for informing and engaging parishioners. There would potentially be quarterly meetings to update our parishioners.

Fr. Jim asked if there were any members of the PPC who would be interested in joining the Communications Committee. No commitments were made tonight as a few of our members were absent. Any members interested in joining the Committee are asked to notify Fr. Jim.

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:

Archdiocese Interest in our Merger.

The Archdiocese is interested in learning from what we're doing here at St. Zepherin and St. Ann. Unlike when the reconfiguration happened and many churches were closed, the Archdiocese isn't imposing anything on us. Fr. David Couturier has asked for paperwork from our informational meetings - power point presentations, fact sheet, agenda, etc in an effort to document what we have accomplished. Sister Roberta will consolidate this information for Fr. Jim to give to Fr. David. We must keep in mind that in the past, the other closures were mandated and the receiving parish had to "figure everything out". This is not the same - Archdiocese is hoping we can document our successful merger.

Publication of PPC minutes. We do not currently have an email list that contains both parishes. We will look into posting minutes on the websites.

Joint Parish Bulletin. There was a discussion about the joint parish bulletin. Although there are limitations to the choices we are given for the cover and format of the bulletin, it was agreed that the cover should probably be a liturgical symbol rather than a picture of a church. A couple of other items to note regarding the bulletin:

1. We currently have two mission statements - one for each of our parishes. This will change as we choose a new mission statement for our combined church. It was agreed that the mission statements be removed rather than listing two.

2. Reporting of weekly collection. It was determined that we should report collections in the same manner for both churches (maybe quarterly instead of weekly - being consistent for both churches). We will ask the Finance Councils to discuss the matter and figure out a better way of reporting the collection.

In the interim, we will consider the weekly bulletin a work in progress!!

Potential members of the Real Estate and Core Teams: Please submit names to Fr. Jim (no need to ask them personally first.) He already has a substantial list of potential candidates. We want invested, open-minded people. (At least one member of the Core Team should be from Natick.) The core team will consist of four parishioners from each of our parishes; the real estate team will consist of three parishioners from each of our parishes. Of course, the real estate team needs commercial real estate and other related experience.

The next scheduled meeting of the Joint PPC is Tuesday, February 9.

Closing prayer - 9:05 p.m.