St. James Pastoral
Council Minutes
January 9, 2006
OPENING & CLOSING PRAYER:
Mary
George
MEMBERS PRESENT: John Alvey, Mary George, Mike
Jones, Chuck Koesterer, Dave McDonald, Joe Ross, Sara Rusch, John Talbot, and Father Joe
MEMBERS ABSENT: Larry Stanley
The
meeting was conducted by President of the board, Chuck Koesterer. The December minutes were approved as
written. There was one addition to the
January agenda. Chuck added a request
from National Wild Turkey Association to have their annual meeting at St.
James.
Old Business:
1. Discerning God’s call for the Parish
Mike Klamm was present to update council on
progress. The subgroups continue to meet
and are working very hard on their goals.
Goal #4 is working on how to reduce the parish debt and increase income
and tithing. Mike asked the council to
look over a survey that is going out in January to determine the needs of all
parishioners. He said if anyone has
suggestions or comments about the survey to email him.
Joe Ross reported that his Group #1 is working on
promoting the use of various forms of prayer.
Some have suggested adding additional reconciliation time to encourage
better use of the sacrament of reconciliation.
2. Discernment for the Next Pastoral Council
John Alvey is to head the committee of outgoing council
members. A notice will be put in the
bulletin this week for nominations for Pastoral Council on the weekend of
January 29th.
New Business:
1. Stem cell research letters circulating
Discussion was held on staff
members upholding church teachings and the church’s position on stem cell
research. The church doesn’t have a
problem with adult stem cell research.
The problem lies with embryonic stem cell research.
2. Pictorial Directory
The directory is to be here
in January.
3. National Wild Turkey
Association request to use facilities
Chuck said Len has been
approached by the National Wild Turkey Association to have their annual meeting
here at St. James. Consensus among the
council was not to let them use the facility as several members expressed
concerns of bringing guns on parish premises.
Guns would be raffled at the meeting.
Ministry Reports:
Activities: Larry Stanley
and Mary George
Mary
reported the Funeral Dinner Ministry has served 9 dinners this year. The
Education: Mike Jones
There
are 379 in Religious Education Pre-K through 5th grade. First Communion will be the first and second
weekends in May. There are 122 in First
Reconciliation. March 25th
there will be a bread baking retreat.
Generations of Faith Lenten gathering will be February 26th.
School: Chuck Koesterer
There
are 366 students in pre-school through 8th grade with 13 Korean
students this semester. Pre-school is
going well.
Liturgy: Mike Jones and Joe
Ross
Joe
said the Mass schedule for Ash Wednesday is 6:30 a.m., 9 a.m., and 7:00
p.m. There will be a prayer service at
noon and 5:30 p.m.
Groups: John Alvey and Dave
McDonald
Knights
of
Administration and
Stewardship: Chuck Koesterer and John
Talbot
Chuck
said they are gearing up for Time, Talent, and Treasure surveys.
Youth: Sara Rusch
There
will be a Youth retreat at Holy Family Parish January 22nd with
Willy Fontanez leading the retreat. It
will be for grades 8-12.
Pastor’s Comments:
1.
Pray
that we can be good witnesses for our parish.
2.
Attendance
at the Christmas 4 p.m. Mass was over 600.
7 p.m. Mass was full and there was a good crowd at 11 p.m. The smallest Mass was 9 a.m.
February
Agenda:
1.
Discerning
God’s Call for the Parish – Mike Klamm
2.
Discernment
for the next Pastoral Council
The
next business meeting will be Monday, February 13th at 7:00 p.m. Opening and closing prayer will be by Mike
Jones.
February
agenda items:
Meeting
notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes - Recording Secretary