St. James Parish Council Minutes
March 11, 2002

 

OPENING PRAYER:  Steve Gregoire

 

PRESENT: Ed Barlett Lou Carey, Steve Gregoire, Anita Holt, Mike Klamm, Jerome Schieder, Chris Venditti, Father Ron, and Father Dien

 

ABSENT:   Doris Cadd, Roger Holyfield, Annette Talbot

 

GUESTS:  Ken Oyen, Lisa Sobba, Nathan and Jim Olson, Chuck Koesterer, and Doris Taylor

 

The meeting was opened by Chairperson Steve Gregoire.  Mike Klamm made a correction to the March minutes.  His name was omitted from the attendance, and he stated he was absent at the March meeting.  The minutes were then approved after a motion by Jerome, seconded by Anita.

 

PROGRAM:  Lisa Sobba was present representing the Stewardship Committee.  She told the council what their goals are as far as increasing stewardship.  She stated it would be difficult to increase stewardship by 10% every year as stated in the 2010 Project.  She said the number of families in our parish fluctuates a lot, and this goal would mean it would have to increase by approximately 125 families a year.  One of their goals is to increase return of the time and talent surveys, and they feel this will help stewardship. 

   

AGENDA:

1)      Father Ron introduced Ken Oyen as new business manager for the parish.  Ken will officially begin his duties July 1st.  Ken said they have been members of our parish since 1977.  He said he is looking forward to working with everyone in the parish. 

 

2)      Outgoing council members gave an update on potential candidates for parish council.  Anita Holt introduced Doris Taylor, her candidate representing the school.  The elections for three parish council members will be at the Masses the weekend of May 11-12.

 

3)      The Administration Committee response to the budget request for an all parish Mass was that they assume that most parishioners to not see the value of giving up their regular Mass time, and would not attend, but go elsewhere that weekend.  They feel we need a significant event like 150th anniversary of the parish or burning of the mortgage to attract all parishioners to one Mass, and to justify the cost.  Therefore, the council felt we should change this action on the 2010 Project by deleting have an all parish Mass yearly, and set a goal of having it by the year 2004.

 

4)      Anita Holt gave an update on Strategy 4:

Goal A

Action #1.  Increase the number of accessible computers for every student each year.

There is a five-year plan for adding and replacing computers.  There is a technology fee of $40 per family and the PTO budgets $5,000 per year under this plan.  Their goal is to increase the number of computers from 53 at present to 70 by the year 2007.

Action #2.  Have 5 working computers per schoolroom by 2005

Anita said we need to move the date to 2006.

Action #3.  Encourage and support professional development of our Catholic educators. Besides the annual conference that they currently attend, we will send them to an additional conference or event, paying for lodging, food, and transportation. 

Anita reported that airfare is too high for everyone wanting to go to NCEA.  Thirteen of the staff went this past week to Indianapolis for a conference.

Action #4.  Increase middle school retention to a full class by 2010.

There are 25 registered in each of the middle school classes.

Action #5.  By September, 2003 the parish will have a scholarship fund for deserving St. James parishioners attending Catholic high school.

A scholarship fund has not been established.  Anita said we need to move date to September, 2004.

Action #6.  Promote academic excellence of St. James School by publishing annually quantifiable data such as: standardized testing scores, participation and awards in science fairs, spelling bees, etc.

In place.

Action #7.  Maximize the morale, satisfaction, and retention of teachers and administrators every single year.

All staff returning except one.

Action #8.  St. James School, by July, 2003 will receive the Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education.

Anita said the school wants more detail why we want the Blue Ribbon Award.

Action #9.  By November, 2001 publicize student service projects on the parish website and in local media.

In place.

 

Goal B

Action #1.  By July, 2003 establish a series of religious events for preschool – 5th grade patterned after the liturgical year.

In place.  Change Point of Contact to Cecilia Richardson.

Action #2. Explore alternative scheduling for children’s religious education.  Consider weekday evenings, etc.

In place.  Change Point of Contact to Cecilia Richardson.

Action #3.  Increase by 25% the number of youth in catechetical roles.

In place.

Action #4.  Re-evaluate new adult religious education offerings each year. 

In place.

Action #5.  Establish home schooling in religious education by 2005.

In place.

 

5) Final plans were discussed for the Parish Council booth for the Ministry Fair April 27th and 28th.  Setup and scheduling of council members to work the booth were coordinated.

 

6)  Ministry Reports:

Administration/Stewardship – Lou Carey

The Administration Committee met March 29th.  It was reported revenue was short of what had been budgeted this past year, however, expenses were down.  Tuition is $3,050 per student.  Insurance paid the for water damage to the organ.  The school candy sale was successful, and they will buy a piano for the music room.  The parish will have an audit April 18th.  Bill Goeckel is to get an estimate for grinding the tree stumps along King’s Highway.  We have had recent large heating repairs.  Insurance paid in full for the church furnace motor which burned up at the time of a downed power line on March 8th.    The narthex furnace was replaced this past week after a breakdown for $6,000.

 

Youth – Jerome Schieder

There are six signed up for the Youth trip to Waldo, Kansas, July 14-20.  There are 42 in the Confirmation class.

 

Liturgy – Ed Barlett – No Report

 

Communication – Doris Cadd - No Report

 

Christian Formation – Chris Venditti – No Report

 

Catholic Organizations – Roger Holyfield – No Report

 

School – Anita Holt – Report given in Strategy #5 update.

 

Human Concerns and Outreach – Annette Talbot – No Report

 

Religious Education – Steve Gregoire

The catechist appreciation dinner will be next Sunday.  H.O.P.E. certificates have increased to about $400 profit weekly.  Fran Riley reported the Evangelization team meets every other month.  There are six on the committee.  They are working with Baptism families, and are working on a Book Club.  First Eucharist will be the weekends of May 11-12 and May 18-19.  Vacation Bible School registration continues now.

 

Parish & Family Life – Mike Klamm – No Report

 

The parish cleaning day March 23rd organized by Roger Holyfield was a success with numerous projects accomplished with approximately 23 parishioners volunteering.

 

Pastor’s Remarks:

w        Encouraged members to read the current issue of Today’s Parish.

w        Father Dien will give a program on his recent trip to Viet Nam in the social hall on April 21 at 3:30 p.m.

w        Asked council members for a potential date in June for a retreat to get acquainted with newly elected council members, possibly June 8th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

The meeting ended with a prayer by Father Ron.  The next council meeting will be Monday, May 13th at 7:00 p.m. with opening prayer by Ed Barlett.  Agenda for the May meeting will include Strategy #5 update by Steve Gregoire and Mike Klamm.  Willy Fontanez will be invited to give council an update on the Youth Program. 

 

 

 

Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes