St. James Pastoral
Council Minutes
April 12, 2004
OPENING PRAYER: John Alvey
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jan Agee, John Alvey, Doris
Cadd, Mike Klamm, Chuck Koesterer, Kim Lay, Len Platt, Father Ron, Ken Oyen, and
Youth Representative Chris Oldenberg
ABSENT: Ed Barlett, Larry Stanley,
John Talbot, Chris Venditti, and Youth Representative Dianna Keck
The
meeting was conducted by Chairperson Mike Klamm. The March minutes were approved as written after a motion by
Chuck Koesterer, seconded by John Alvey.
There was one addition to the April agenda by Chuck. “How will School Board vacancies be handled
since there will not be an election for the council with the new discernment
process for selecting new members.”
AGENDA:
1.
Update on March 20
Discernment Meeting #2 and next steps (Doris)
Doris reported the discernment process is going
well with Sr. Rose Therese and Biagio Mazza facilitating the meetings. There are nine out of eleven who want to
continue. The next training meeting
will be April 24th at 9 a.m.
Chuck asked how the School Board positions will be filled since there
won’t be elections for the Pastoral Council in May. After discussion, it was decided to seek interested candidates
through the bulletin, and to have the School Board get nominations. A special election will be held for school
board members.
2.
Strategic Planning Update
and Review (Mike)
Mike said he has several ideas for strategic
planning from the meeting with ministry heads, and will have a complete report
at the next council meeting.
3.
Generations of Faith video
and discussion (Fr. Ron)
The benefits of a Generations of Faith program were
pointed out by Father Ron after showing a video. The intent is to draw all age groups together through learning
and prayer promoting parish growth at home and further deepening our
faith. Father Ron reported that a core
of five staff members have attended training workshops, and will attend further
training for this program.
4.
Report on Workshop attended
by Len Platt and Pam Demasi (Len)
Len Platt reported the Sharing Ministries Workshop
given by Judy Urban at the Chancery Annex was a very good presentation of ideas
for getting parishioners involved in ministries and trends in sharing time and
talents. Len said key points for
involvement are invitation, orientation and training, and supervision and
support. Also, if parishioners feel
welcome, involvement and financial support will come. It doesn’t happen overnight, and takes years to build.
5.
Ministry Reports:
Christian
Formation/Religious Education – Kim Lay
Fran Riley had reported to Kim that registration
for Vacation Bible School will be April 25th with Bible School in
June. First Communion will be the
weekends of May 8-9 and May 15-16. She
also said they are looking into starting a ministry for disabilities. Cecilia Richardson reported to Kim that
Preschool to Fifth Grade classes are outgrowing their space. She said they plan to offer Wednesday
evening classes in addition to the Sunday morning classes due to the
increase.
Catholic
Organizations – John Alvey.
Ann Tucker reported to John the Precious Blood
Companions recently met, and Father Keith will meet with them each month.
School –
Chuck Koesterer
Enrollment for next year is at 295. About 12 teachers are presently attending
the national conference in Boston. The
school recently had a group of teachers from Nebraska come to observe our
school as they had heard good things about St. James. Chuck also said over half of the 8th grade did better
than 90th percentile on the high school test.
Internal
Human Concerns and Outreach – Jan Agee
Joe Barry reported the blood drive March 30 was
very successful, and we will have six blood mobiles next year. The Blood Bank appreciates the excellent
cooperation they receive when coming to St. James.
Administration
& Stewardship – Chuck Koesterer
Commitment letters will be sent out before the end
of the month. The Precious Blood
Society has asked the parish if we would consider location of an office or a
residence on St. James property. Chuck
and Ken Oyen said there are a lot of factors to be considered, and they are in
the process of checking those out.
Pastor’s
Remarks:
·
Father
Ron said he would be making the stewardship appeals at Masses the next two
weekends. The commitment mailing will
go out the last week in April. There
will be a drawing for a weekend at the Elms Hotel from the ones turned in at
Masses the first weekend in May.
·
Holy
Week services went well and Father noted there were many good experiences. The church was full at 9:30 a.m. Mass on Easter
with an additional 500 attending in the gym.
The 11:30 a.m. Mass was full with 130 in the Narthex. Father Ron thought we should consider a
second Mass at 11:30 a.m. next Easter.
The
next council meeting will be Monday, May 10 at 7:00 p.m. Kim will give the opening prayer.
May
Agenda:
1)
Budget
2)
Discernment
Update
3)
Strategic
Planning Update
4)
Art
& Music Fair Update
Meeting
notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes - Recording Secretary