St. James Parish Council Minutes
March 10, 2003

 

 

OPENING PRAYER:  Lou Carey

 

PRESENT: John Alvey, Ed Barlett, Doris Cadd, Lou Carey, Roger Holyfield, Chuck Koesterer, Jerome Schieder, Annette Talbot, Chris Venditti, Father Ron Will, Father Jim Urbanic, and Ken Oyen

 

ABSENT: Kim Lay, and Mike Klamm

 

GUESTS:  Jack Burns, Len Platt, and Hamilton Trinidad

 

The meeting was opened by Chairperson Annette Talbot.  The December minutes were approved after a motion was made by Doris Cadd to accept, seconded by Lou Carey.   There were four additions to the January agenda: Discussion of Christmas Mass schedule by Father Ron, Appreciation Dinner for ministry heads by Lou, Pastoral Council youth representatives by Ed Barlett, and Lent by Chuck.

 

Doris welcomed and introduced the guests attending as potential Pastoral Council candidates.  She presented them with a printout of the role of a Pastoral Council member. 

 

AGENDA:

 

1)      The Election Committee report by Chris, Ed, and Doris was that several other parishioners have been contacted about running for the Pastoral Council, and several had indicated they would, and some had not responded.    Chris explained that they had researched election by the discernment process, however, stated our present bylaws don’t allow for this process, and there isn’t enough time to try this year.

 

2)      a)          An update on 2010 Strategy #4 by Chuck and Annette was given.  Chuck said Goal A, Action #5 Point of Contact should be changed to Elizabeth Schneider, and the date advanced to Spring 2004; Action #7 Point of Contact should be Ed Fierst; Action #8 delete the Blue Ribbon Award; and Action #9 local media Point of Contact should be Elizabeth Schneider, and the parish website Point of Contact is Molly Doherty and this action is to be in place in Fall, 2003.  Goal B., Action #3 is In Place.

 

b) Father Ron asked for the council’s ideas for changing the Christmas Mass schedule to alleviate overcrowding at the first Mass on Christmas Eve.  He said the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass is always super crowded, the 7 p.m. Mass is manageable, and the 11 p.m. Mass is comfortably full.  He asked if it is best to broadcast the Mass in the Social Hall or should we have a simulcast Mass in the gym at 4 p.m.  Several council members thought the simulcast Mass in the gym would be worth a try since they have heard many parishioners say they don’t like watching Mass on the monitors in the Social Hall as they don’t feel a part of the Mass.  Father said he will talk to the staff about trying this new approach at Easter.

 

c)   Lou Carey asked if we were going to honor the Ministry heads at an appreciation dinner on Fat Tuesday, March 4th.  Annette will check on availability of space, and final plans will be made at next month’s council meeting.

 

d)    Ed Barlett asked if we should have a Youth Pastoral Council representative, and how they are elected.  He said he knew of possibly three in the Confirmation Group that are interested.  He was informed by the council they are appointed by the Youth Director, and are non-voting members.  Ed will let Willie Fontanez know that we will invite two representatives for the February meeting.

 

e)    Chuck Koesterer observed at a parish he was visiting during Lent how nice it was for the First Communion candidates that they had a laminated prayer card with picture and biography to hand out as parishioners came into church.  Chuck and Chris will try to get some ideas from the second grade teachers, and Cecilia Richardson if we could do something similar.

 

f)    Jack Burns, attending potential Pastoral Council member, just wanted to bring to the council’s attention some discussion held recently in his RENEW Group, how questionable or offensive they thought the printed material in the worship aid at the recent Penance service was.  It was the Examination of Conscience, and he did note there were 26 points to the exam.  Some were good, but others are questionable and possible offensive.  He asked I f someone downloaded them from the internet and possibly didn’t read them?

  

3)      Monsigner Bud Fiedler will be here at our Parish January 30th to speak about Vatican II. Father Ron encouraged council members to attend as it should be quite interesting to hear of his first-hand experiences while attending the council.

 

4)      Ministry Reports

Prayer – Lou Carey had a report from Leanne Carr that the large bell for the Prayer Garden has been sent to an engineer to start the process of getting it displayed in a bell tower.

 

Youth – Jerome Schieder reported Confirmation will be April 15.  He said the overnight retreat for the Youth Group will be January 31 and February 1.  The High School student’s lock-in will be March 28 and 29.  Rite of Covenant will be January 19.

 

Liturgy -  Chris Venditti – No Report

 

Communication – Doris Cadd – No Report

 

Christian Formation/Religious Ed – Kim Lay – No Report

 

Catholic Organizations – John Alvey reported Christine Nieves said the Altar Society Bingo will be January 25.  

 

School – Chuck Koesterer  reported there are 320 students enrolled currently.  The teacher Pie Auction, School Mass, and Open House will be February 1.  It was voted to have a counselor on-site three days a week provided by the PTO.

 

Internal Human Concerns and Outreach – Annette Talbot reported she talked with Susie Olson about the Advent Giving Tree.  Susie was grateful at the response and lots of help getting the packages delivered in one day.  Pat Reinier volunteered to chair this next year.

 

External Human Concerns and Outreach – Ed Barlett – No Report

 

Parish & Family Life – Mike Klamm – No Report

 

Administration & Stewardship – Chuck Koesterer reported the goal is to get the Bell Tower up by Easter.  The current plan cost is $9,000.00.  He also reported they are still working on the rental agreement for the Social Hall.

 

PASTOR’S REMARKS:

Father Ron reported The “Called by Name” supper/discussion was attended by 11 young people with qualities of leadership to work in church.  This was an opportunity for them to ask questions about vocations in the priesthood and sisterhood. 

 

Ken Oyen reported they have the cost covered to purchase a defibrillator for the parish.  They will be meeting Monday to decide the logistics and liability details.

 

The next meeting will be February 10th at 7 p.m.  Items on the agenda will be a Mission Committee Report by Tom and Vicki Vinton, a Detailed review of 2010 Strategy #5 by John and Mike, Plans for simultaneous Mass at Easter, and Ed will present Youth Representatives.  Opening prayer will be given by Chuck.

 

The meeting ended with a prayer by Chris Venditti.

 

 

 

Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes