St. James Parish Council Minutes
April 14, 2003

 

 

OPENING PRAYER:  Lou Carey

 

PRESENT: John Alvey, Ed Barlett, Doris Cadd, Lou Carey, Roger Holyfield, Mike Klamm, Chuck Koesterer, Jerome Schieder, Annette Talbot, Chris Venditti, Father Ron Will, Father Jim Urbanic, Ken Oyen, and Youth Representative Diana Keck

 

ABSENT: Kim Lay, and Youth Representative Vincent DeMarco

 

The meeting was opened by Chairperson Annette Talbot.  There was one correction to the March minutes noted by Ed Barlett in his ministry report last month.  It was recorded that Kudos to Jan Agee for her prompt follow-up on the Stewardship Time & Talent questionnaires should have read Lou Carey rather than Jan Agee.  The minutes were then approved after a motion by Doris Cadd, seconded by Ed Barlett.  The agenda was approved after two additions: (1) Parish Workday Report; and (2) Baseball/basketball question by Annette.

 

Before the agenda, Father Jim told the council he is honored to be Father Ron’s replacement as pastor effective June 8th.  He said he is looking forward to his new assignment at St. James.

 

AGENDA:

 

1)      The Pastoral Council candidates are Jan Agee, Len Platt, Larry Stanley, and John Talbot.  Elections will be at Masses the weekend of May 10 and 11.  Biographies and pictures will be included as a bulletin insert prior to elections.  It was decided to have a “get-acquainted” retreat with the new members on Saturday, June 14th from 9 a.m. to noon.

 

2)      Father Ron asked if there were any comments regarding Jim Danielson’s report on Project 2010.  Father mentioned Larry Kramer does strategic planning.  An advantage over Jim Danielson is that Larry is Catholic, and was formerly with Avilla College involved with many fundraising events.  Mike Klamm suggested meeting on a Saturday morning in the fall with a facilitator to review our present 2010 Project.

 

3)      Parish Feast Day will be Saturday, July 26. Volunteers for a chairperson or co-chairpersons are needed to organize it.  Doris will include a request in the bulletin for co-chairpersons.    

 

4)      The Ministry Head Appreciation Party rescheduled for April 22nd has 18 RSVP’s according to Lou.  Council members are to be at the St. Stephen Room at 6:30 p.m. to decorate.

 

5)      The Easter Egg Hunt requested by the Knights of Columbus will not be held this year.  They may have one next year when they have more time to get it organized.

 

6)      2010 Strategy #2 review by Doris and Ed. 

Ed noted the following changes:

Goal A. Diversify the Mass: 

Action #1: Initiate a choir exchange.  Will need to replace Tyler as contact.  Tyler doesn’t feel we have a choir cohesive enough to send to another parish.  The adult bell choir has visited other churches and community events. 

Action #2: Explain portions of the Mass in the worship aid and newsletter. Write a Liturgy Corner geared to children or follow the adult articles with family discussion questions.  Ed said there are articles every month in the St. James Network and a Dear Padre column in the bulletin frequently. 

Action #3: By 2005 half of our liturgical ministers will be under age 30.

March 16, 2003 the Confirmation group assisted in planning, prepared, and participated in the 6 p.m. liturgy, and this goal needs to be included in the considerations for selecting a Director of Liturgy and Music. 

Goal B. Promote a Variety of Prayer Experiences

Actions #1, 3, 4, 5, 6 are “In Place.”

Action #2 Contact for holding yearly parish pilgrimages is changed from Fr. Dien to Fr. Jim.

 

Doris reported all Actions in Goal C related to the website are in place, and Howard Henry, the webmaster, has done a commendable job.  She said our goal of 10,000 hits per year is not being met, and she felt the lack of usage may be related to the fact that information is often outdated or not in place at all.  Howard has repeatedly expressed his willingness to get the information on the website, but he needs material provided to him from the ministry heads.  In regard to making the parish directory available on the website, Howard recommended that individual consent be obtained because of the issue of privacy.  Doris also noted the parish is greatly indebted to Toni McLain for the hours she devotes to publishing the parish newsletter quarterly.  Doris reported the Video Ministry headed by Matthew Barlett, who built his own website that Howard incorporated into the church’s website.  Those who log on can view Masses that are catalogued as of 4-6-03.  Doris said she spoke with Susan Woehrman about revamping the school website which is currently at a standstill.  Susan said she would make one more effort to convene a committee meeting to work on the school website. 

Action #4: To have a functional parish library/study room is still largely dependent on funding and availability of space.  The goal for completion is July, 2007. 

 

7)  (a) The Parish Workday headed by Roger Holyfield resulted in several inside and outdoor improvements.  The 8th graders weeded, trimmed, mowed and mulched the Prayer Garden.  Trees were trimmed, windows washed, dividers replaced in the bathroom, replaced light bulbs, dusted the sanctuary, and touched up scratches in the pews were some of the projects.

 

(b) Annette asked if there is a policy for using the gym or ball fields?  Ken Oyen said a parish or school organization can use the gym, but if group is not one of these organizations there is a $35 per hour charge.  Jim Schulenberg handles the outside ball fields.  

 

8)   Ministry Reports

 

Prayer: Lou Carey-no report

 

Youth: Jerome Schieder – Willie said the youth faith-sharing group meets every other Sunday after 6 p.m. Mass.  He would like to move up to 4:30 p.m. before Mass.  Chris said she didn’t think earlier would be better because it would interfere with family activities on Sunday afternoon and  there would not be as good a turnout.

 

Liturgy: Chris Venditti – Reported Tyler is leaving, and that applications are being accepted for his replacement.  She recognized Ed Barlett’s confirmation group involvement with liturgy at the 6 p.m. Mass.  Chris also said the same format for Easter will be used as last year with overflow crowds being seated in the Social Hall.

 

Communication: Doris Cadd – No additional report

 

Christian Formation/Religious Ed: Kim Lay – No report

 

Catholic Organizations: John Alvey - The Altar Society takes the summer off with no business meetings held.

 

School: Chuck Koesterer – No candidates are running for school board.  They also need someone to head the School Auction.   

 

Internal Human Concerns and Outreach: Annette Talbot - No report

 

External Human Concerns and Outreach: Ed Barlett – No additional report

 

Administration & Stewardship: Chuck Koesterer-The bell tower won’t be ready for Easter.   They are working on the budget.  They are looking at renovating the bathrooms, and the parking lot is in need of repairs.

 

PASTOR’S REMARKS:

§         Father reported June 8th is his last day at St. James.  He asked the council if he could have a farewell reception following 11 a.m. Mass on June 8th.

 

The next meeting will be May 12th at 7 p.m. with opening prayer by Annette. 

 

May Agenda:

§         Report on St. James access number by Bob Wiese

§         Report on Parish website by Howard Henry

§         Report on School website by Sharon Woehrman

§         Parish Feast Day

§         Council Election Results

§         Strategy #3 Review by Chris and Roger

 

The meeting ended with a prayer by Doris.

 

 

 

Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes