St. James Pastoral Council Minutes
March 10, 2008

 

Opening and closing prayer:  Ann Tucker

 

Members present:  Julia Alsobrook, John Alvey, Diane Dolak, Mary George, Lisa Richardson, Joe Ross, Cathy Teague, Ann Tucker, and Fr. Tom

 

Members Absent:  Dave McDonald, Jim Thornton, and Fr. Matt

 

Old Business:

  1. Discerning God’s Call for the Parish Goal #5 (Parish Improvement Project)

Father Tom reported that April 1st is the target for move-in day.  They are finishing the bottom floor; tile laid today, youth room will not be tiled, but treated concrete.  Inside everything is on schedule.  The landscaping, dirt leveling and installing sidewalks outside have been delayed by the weather, but most of the inside of the building is usable.  Major roof repair is an urgent matter and could cost between $30-50,000.  Because of this upcoming expense, leveling out the mounds of dirt and the parking lot will have to wait.  The cost of the roof could be added into our diocesan loan.

 

  1. Parish Clean-up Day

Mary reported that the day was a success, but not a lot could be accomplished outside because of the cold weather.  The entrance to the front door was cleaned up, the area around the bushes was raked and cigarette butts removed, the curb-lines were swept.  The first good mowing will take care of the leaves on the grassy areas.  Inside, eight parishioners took down and dusted the Stations of the Cross, cleaned the pews, library, confessionals, coat rack, and doors.  The cobwebs were also cleaned off the stained-glass windows and walls were wiped down in Jim’s office in preparation of paint.

 

New Business:  No new business was discussed.

 

Ministry Reports

 

Youth: Lisa Richardson

Bobbi just returned from her trip to L.A. so there has not been a lot happening.  The confirmation groups will be performing skits based on bible stories within their groups.

 

Activities: Mary George

Mary had no report this month.

 

Groups:  Ann Tucker

Ann reported that there were about 30 people at the combined meeting of the Respect Life Group and the Altar Society.  Cathy McCurry came and talked about her family's blessings and challenges with a Down Syndrome child.  She said statistics show that about 90% of women who are told their baby would be born with Down Syndrome abort the baby.  She gave many other instances of women who were told their baby had deformities of different kinds yet decided to give birth to the baby regardless and found when the baby was born that it was in fact a perfectly healthy baby.  She also showed a video of her little daughter over the years and how many activities she is involved in.  There was another speaker from the Pregnancy Support Center thanking St. James for their support in the diaper drive and different ways we have supported the center.  She told more about the center and their continued use of the ultrasound system and the success in saving babies once the mother sees the baby through ultrasound. 

 

Mary Weishaar called about a wedding being held on the Saturday before Mother's Day and the problem of getting the bouquets of roses arranged and placed in the sanctuary prior to the wedding and voiced concern that the bride might not be pleased. 

 

Altar Society Bingo will be right after 5PM Mass on April 5th

 

Liturgy: Joe Ross

Joe reported that parishioners would process from outdoors on Palm Sunday instead of the social hall, weather permitting for every Mass.  There will be two Masses at 9:30 am and 11:30 am on Easter Sunday in the church and gym.

 

Education:  Julia Alsobrook and Diane Dolak

Julia reported that the storage pods outside should be gone by April 1st.  A pastoral council representative at the school board meetings has been discontinued because Fr. Tom always attends those meetings, and it was not really necessary for two people from the council to be there.  Fr. Tom doesn’t want to be the official liaison, but does want pastoral council representation at school board meetings.

 

The school is in the midst of a food drive.  Cecilia really appreciated the opportunity to attend the conference in L.A. with Bolbbi.  She found it phenomenal and revitalizing and felt it was a great chance to do some long-range planning. 

 

Diane reported that Daryl had nothing to comment on adult education.  Sandy is preparing the 16 catechumens for the Easter Vigil. Anyone interested in becoming Catholic can start at any point in the year.

 

Pastor’s Comments:  Father Tom

Father Tom reported that it has been two months since Jim has been working as business manager.  It was determined that a business manager was needed full time.  Jim is currently donating some hours he is working.  This has resulted in some reduced hours for Beth, Daryl, and Loretta.  Beth feels that her hours do not allow her enough time to do what she needs to do, and hopes that some of her duties will be reallocated to Jim at some point.

 

 

Agenda Items for April Meeting:

 

Discerning God’s Call for the Parish

 

We also need to discuss the make-up of the council; confirm which members are staying; decide how we will go about replacing members; do we add a tenth member?  After the July break we could reassign duties.

 

Closing prayer:  Ann Tucker

 

The next meting will be on April 14th, 2008. Opening and closing prayer will be by Julia Alsobrook.

 

 

Meeting notes courtesy of Cathy Teague - Recording Secretary