St. James Pastoral Council Minutes
February 12, 2007

 

OPENING AND CLOSING PRAYER: Father Joe

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: John Alvey, Diane Dolak, Mary George, Joe Ross, Cathy Teague, Sarah Rusch, and Father Joe

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Julia Alsobrook, Dave McDonald, Larry Stanley, Ann Tucker, and Father Matt

 

The meeting was conducted by President of the board, John Alvey.  There were two corrections to the January minutes by Father Joe.  The amount that must be raised from pledges for the parish improvement project should have been $600,000 rather than $650,000 as reported, and the total amount of the project was reported as $1.5 million and should have read $1.6 million.  A correction was also made under the Education Ministry Report of the potluck dinner.  It should have read “The parish is having a Lenten Gathering with the theme Beatitudes and a potluck dinner on February 11th.   There was one addition to the February agenda by Joe Ross which was Respect for Life.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

1.      Discerning God’s Call for the Parish Goal #5 (Parish improvement project)

Father Joe gave an update in Larry Stanley’s absence.  He said they should be at the point of no return as far as structure of the project is concerned.  Pledges received to date are $235,000.  The goal of $600,000 in pledges is needed by April before the project is approved to start by the diocese.  Father Joe asked that Molly, Cecilia and Bobbi encourage School and Religious Ed parents to return blue pledge cards.  Discussion centered on what action to take if we are short of the goal.  The council suggested calling parishioners who haven’t returned cards to update the parish active roster as well as encourage pledges.

 

2.  Northland Planning

Father Joe said the next meeting will be the Thursday after he returns from Peru. This meeting will be with the Bishop and representatives from other Northland parishes here at St. James.  Each parish has two representatives.  Our representatives are Larry Stanley and Annette Talbot.  They are looking at parishes needed by 2020.  Liberty is growing as predicted, and Father Joe said we will probably be looking at a sanctuary holding 1,000 to 1,500 in five or six years. 

                                                                

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1.  Appointment to Fundraising Committee

      Cathy Teague was appointed to the Fundraising Committee.   John Alvey and Julia Alsobrook are also members of this committee.

 

2.  Respect for Life

      Joe Ross reported they are trying to get a large group together to go to Jefferson City March 7th to petition the state legislature to ban cloning.  He also expressed concern on recent lack of interest to ban cloning and return of the “Roses for Life”, and asked if we need to do more to educate the parish on respect for life.  Joe will take concerns to Respect for Life group, and report back.     

 

 

MINISTRY REPORTS;

 

Youth:  Sarah Rusch

Sarah reported the Confirmation Group collected $1,194 for their “Souper Bowl”.  They had a fun afternoon in the social hall for the Super Bowl with chili, snacks, and drinks.

 

Activities: Mary George

Mary reported the Boy Scouts are doing a service project in March to put wood chipping on the nature trail.  She also said they often get their meetings moved out of the social hall.  Father Joe stressed that Liturgy functions have priority so occasionally the Scout meetings are moved to another room.  Mary said the Lenten Gathering had a good turnout considering other conflicting functions, and the potluck dinner went well.

 

Liturgy:  Joe Ross and Cathy Teague

Joe reported there is an extra Mass added at 6:30 a.m. on Fridays throughout Lent.  Stations will be at 5:40 p.m. on Fridays, and the Wednesday night vespers at 5:40 p.m. will be followed by soup.  There will be a flyer in this week’s bulletin with the Lenten schedule. 

Cathy reported at times they are short of Gift Bearers.  Prison Ministry is going very well with distribution of Holy Communion, bibles, and Living Faith reflections.  Most of the materials are donated for this ministry.  She also said they could use more volunteers to take Holy Communion to shut-ins. 

 

Education:  Father Joe and Diane Dolak

Father Joe reported there are a group of teachers going to San Francisco on Wednesday for a workshop.  Cathy Barron is doing an outstanding job with music using the children’s gifts and talents.  

Diane reported that Sandy told her they will be bringing 23 into the church through RCIA at Easter vigil.  Adult bible study theme on heaven will be starting in Lent at Diane’s home.

 

Pastor’s Comments:

1.      Father said he would appreciate input of council members for ideas on reaching out to inactive parishioners.

2.      Father is excited about heading to Peru on Thursday.

3.      We are hoping the flower pot project in front of the church will be done by Easter.

4.      We are looking at getting new book sections for the school library at no cost from a bookstore closing.

 

 

March Agenda:

1)      Discerning God’s call for the Parish

2)      Northland Planning

 

The next business meeting will be Monday, March 12th at 7:00 p.m.  Opening and closing prayer will be by Julia Alsobrook.

 

 

Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes - Recording Secretary