PAST E-BOARD MEETING MINUTES
This Page contains a history of past PAHNU Executive Board meeting minutes.
September 20, 2008
The President called the meeting to order at 12:40 PM. Members in attendance were: President Steve Gibbone, Gerardo Alfaro, John Bradley, T. Paul DiVito, Joseph Gilorma, Robert Leso ,Eno Melendez, Carlos Ortiz, Guillermo "Willie" Rodriguez, Pedro Rodriguez and Israel Varela. Carmelo Rivera appeared briefly to submit his Minutes, but had a schedule conflict, which prevented him from attending the meeting.
Robert Leso presented his The President Treasurer's Report, covering the period August 9, 2008 - September 19, 2008June 20, 2008, which showed a balance of $3,595.86.
Members reviewed the Minutes of the August Board Meeting, which were unanimously approved.
New members Eno0 Melendez, Israel Varela and Pedro Rodriquez each gave a capsule description of their religious activities. President Gibbone then spoke about his desire to increase the involvement of the Hispaqnic community in the Holy Name Society.
COMMITEE REPORTS
MONTHLY BLESSED JOHN MASS: It was reported that attendance at the September Mass was good. The October Mass will be held at Our Lady Help of Christians, on OCtober 11th. Following the Mass, the Rosary will be recited outdoors, at the Grotto. It was suggested that, in 2009, our goal should be to hold 6 of our 12 monthly masses at predominantly Hispanic parishes. It was also suggested that we might consider having two alternate locations for each monthly Mass. President Gibbone observed that perhaps holding two simultaneous masses could be tried, as an experiment for 3-4 months.
TV MASS: John Bradley reported that the TV Mass was celebrated/taped on Sunday, August 31, 2008, at the Channel 6 Studio, 4100 City Avenue, Philadelphia, at 4:00 PM and aired on Sunday, September 14, 2008, at 5:30 AM. Father Lewandowski, Pastor of St. Josaphat Parish was the celebrant, and members of his parish Holy Name Society served as lectors and altar server. Annette DiMedio played the piano, and recruited a singer for the Mass.
CANDIDATES NIGHT: John Bradley also advised that represntatives of all the presidential candidates who have secured ballot access in Pennsylvania will be attending Candidates' Night. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, between 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM, at Annunciation BVM Parish, 410 Brookline Boulevard, Havertown, PA 19083 [The Church is located on the corner of Brookline Boulevard and Sagamore Road, and the event will take place in the Church Hall]. The event will be co-sponsored by the newly-formed parish Holy Name Society.
REORGAN IZATION/REVITALIZATION: John Bradley mentioned that pulpit announcements were made at Annunciation BVM Parish, Brookline at all Masses on the weekend of September 13-14, with 150 pamphlets "Know Your History, Know Your Society" were distributed, and an organizational meeting was held on Thursday, September 18th.
Mr. Bradley also advised that Monsignor Graham, PAstor of St. Denis Parish, Havertown, has agreed to let him make announcments promoting the Holy Name Society, which currently is a paper organization in that parish. A definite date has not been set, but it will probably be a weekend in November. Paul DiVito suggested that Bill Derham should be advised of this event.
John Giese, a very active parishioner at St. Aloysius Parish, Pottstown, notified John Bradley that his pastor has expressed approval fpr the forming a Holy Name Society, but that he must first complete his chairmanship of a major fund-raising drive for the parish.
BLESSED JOHN CAUSE: T. Paul DiVito advised that the date of this year's Annual Mass for the Canonization of Blessed John of Vercelli was November 30th, which is the 725th Anniversary of the death of Blessed John of Vercelli. Therefore, Paul urged that everyone should make a greater than usual effort to encourage attendance at this Mass. He also mentioned his hope that the Relic of Blessed John, currently in the possession of Father Carmody, would be available for veneration after the Mass. Paul also provided each member with a special packet he has developed for the Mass, including the wonderful pamphlet "My Ticket to Heaven."
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE HOLY NAME SOCIETY: Paul DiVito advised that he, John Bradley, and three other Philadelphians, would be attending the National Convention in Minneapolis.
WEBSITE: John Bradley mentioned that Nicholas Gulli has updated and improved the Website, and Paul DiVito particularly commended Mr. Gulli for placing a flyer promoting the Annual Blessed John Mass on the Website Homepage. President Gibbone suggested that whenever there is an important parish event, with a Holy Name Society tie-in, it should be promoted on the Website.
Paul DiVito led a decade of the Rosary.
FUND-RAISING: John Bradley reported that he had ordered 250 books of tickets from the Roman Catholic Alumni Association, and reminded all present of the economic value of the program. Seller organizations, like the PAHNU, keep 70% of the proceeds of sales, and incur no risk or expense. Ticket books were distributed to the following members:
Steve Gibbone - 30 Books
John F. Bradley - 30 Books
Carlos Ortiz - 20 Books
Robert LEso - 15 Books
Paul DiVito - 10 Books
Gerry Alfaro - 10 Books
Pedro Rodriguez -- 5 Books
Israel Varela - 5 Books
Willie Rodriguez - 5 Books
TOTAL - 130 Books
SICK AND VIGIL - President Gibbone paid tribute to the late John O'Connor, recently deceased, who played such a crucial role, not only in the PAHNU, but in the Railroad Holy Name Union, and in serving as a founding member of the Blue Army. He was also a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. An obituary, paying tribute to him, will be placed on our Website.
MEMORIAL MASS FOR DECEASED MEMBERS: The Board agreed to holding the Annual Memorial Mass for Deceased Members at St. Hugh of Cluny Parish, on a Sunday in November, at the 10:30 AM [Spanish-language] Mass. Willie Rodriguez was assigned the responsibility of arranging this Mass, and was advised to avoid the first and last Sundays of November (2nd & 30th). Ideally, we are hoping he can secure November 9th. There wil be a Communion Breakfast after the Mass. John Bradley will secure a bugler for the reading of the names of the deceased members.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no Old Business
NEW BUSINESS
The membership voted to reimburse Paul DiVito for the cost of a fruit basket, which he donated to the O'Connor family, in the name of the PAHNU.
The membership also voted to reimburse Paul DiVito for $166.50 he had expended on a full page ad for the 2008 National Convention Program Book.
Willie Rodriguez suggested that we should provide 12 Holy Name Society ushers for the Hispanic Heritage Mass, to be celebrated in the Cathedral on October 12th. Several members volunteered to help. All will wear black suits, and, hopefully, we will be able to display the Holy Name banner.
President Gibbone commended Joseph Gilorma for his conscientious work on the Telephone Committee.
Gerry Alfaro circulated a meditation on the Crucifixion, for our edification.
Willie Rodriguez was appointed our contact person with Father Shields, for Hispanic Ministry.
Willie Rodriguez advised us that his personal goal is to establish the Holy Name Society in the Dominican Republic, and that he will keep us advised of his progress.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made, seconded and passed unanimously. The closing prayer was then recited by Willie Rodriguez.