St. James Pastoral Council Minutes
February 13, 2006

 

OPENING & CLOSING PRAYER: Father Joe

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: John Alvey, Mary George, Chuck Koesterer, Joe Ross, Father Joe and Father Matt

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Mike Jones, Dave McDonald, Sarah Rusch, Larry Stanley, and John Talbot,

 

The meeting was conducted by President of the board, Chuck Koesterer.  There was one correction to the January minutes.  Mary corrected her Ministry Report on Activities.  It should have been reported the Funeral Dinner Ministry has served 9 dinners last year instead of this year.   Parish Feast Day/Music & Art Festival discussion was added to the agenda under New Business.

 

Old Business:

1.      Discerning God’s call for the Parish

Mike Klamm was present to update the council on progress. The next large group will meet February 16th. Reports from group leaders are: 

      Goal 1: Putting together Divine Mercy Sunday to be held April 23rd. 

 

Goal 2: Working on improved communication to get more people involved through website by adding links to ministries, etc.

 

Goal 4: The Stewardship Committee is trying to raise awareness of our debt by putting financial information in the bulletin.

                                                                

2.  Discernment for the Next Pastoral Council

      John Alvey reported approximately 35 parishioners had been nominated for the next council. He said they will send letters to all nominees and then call them.  It was the consensus of the council that some guidance is needed for the discernment meetings.  John has checked with the diocese on cost if they assist.

     

New Business:

1.      Parish Feast Day/Art & Music Festival

      Geoff Hagins is willing to organize the Art & Music Festival again this year.  Some discussion was held on whether to have the feast day celebration and the Art & Music Festival on different days.   Further discussion will be held at the next council meeting.

 

Ministry Reports:

Activities: Mary George

Mary reported the Peace & Justice group had an interesting and motivating speaker the founder of Just Faith Ministries at Guilfoil Justice Day February 1st at St. Therese Parish.  The Concert of Choirs by Love, Inc. yesterday was a success.  The next Blood Drive will be March 28th.  The Boy Scout awards after Mass last week went well.

 

School: Chuck Koesterer

The teachers are preparing for National Convention the week after Easter.  The school children participated in all the ministries at Masses to start off Catholic Schools Week.  Religious Ed is going to have five soup suppers during Lent with Road Map worksheets beginning at the Lenten Gathering.  The 5th grade will be going to a retreat at the Franciscan Prayer Center in Independence on March 26th.   There are 114 in the First Communion group.  35 Confirmation teens attended a retreat on Holy Family. 

 

 

 

 

Liturgy: Joe Ross

Ash Wednesday Masses will be at 6:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.  There will be prayer services at noon and 5:30 p.m.  The Bible Study group wants to show the movie “The Passion” in the social hall during Lent with discussion following the movie.

 

Administration and Stewardship:  Chuck Koesterer

The parish house is still for sale with a number of people looking at it.  They had refused one offer, and had countered another offer.  

 

Youth: 

The first performance by the St. James Youth Band was at the 6 p.m. Mass February 12th.

The Super Bowl of Caring raised $1,323.00 after Masses Super Bowl Sunday. 

 

Pastor’s Comments:

1.      Pushing Stewardship Committee action again.

2.      Trying to get preparations in order for Lent.

 

Chuck asked if anyone has any ideas for our 25th anniversary of our building.  The present complex was built in April, 1981.  Let Chuck know if anyone has any ideas.

 

March Agenda:

1.      Discerning God’s Call for the Parish – Mike Klamm

2.      Discernment for the next Pastoral Council

3.      St. James Feast Day/Art & Music Fair

 

The next business meeting will be Monday, March 13th at 7 p.m.  Opening and closing prayer will be by Mike Jones.   

 

 

 

 

Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes - Recording Secretary