St. James Pastoral Council Minutes
April 10, 2006

 

OPENING AND CLOSING PRAYER: Mike Jones

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: John Alvey, Mary George, Mike Jones, Chuck Koesterer, Dave McDonald, Joe Ross, Sarah Rusch, Larry Stanley, Father Joe and Father Matt

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  John Talbot

 

GUEST PRESENT: Marvin Weishaar (representing Administration Committee)

 

The meeting was conducted by President of the board, Chuck Koesterer.  The March minutes were approved as written.  There were no additions to the Agenda.  

 

OLD BUSINESS:

1.      Discerning God’s call for the Parish

Larry Stanley reported that Goal 5 Facilities has met four times this year.  They are looking at short and long term goals for our worship space as our parish is growing rapidly.  A short term goal is we are short on space and in need of additional seating and parking.  He said his committee is looking at options on increasing the seating by realigning the interior design of the pews or adding seating in the Mallen Room.  They think a paint job in the sanctuary might be in order to improve the cosmetics.  Larry and Father Joe presented color schemes being considered for painting the sanctuary, and said this project could be started right after Easter.  The sound system in the narthex is very poor, and can be improved by adding additional speakers, amplifiers and controls in the narthex and Mallen room. The bids for painting is $2,966 and for the sound system improvements is $2,740.  The council approved both projects since the Administration committee won’t meet until after the projects can be started right after Easter.  The pew cushions are in need of repair, however, won’t be updated at this time due to cost.

                                                                

2.  Discernment for the Next Pastoral Council

      John Alvey reported seven prospective council members met with Biagio Mazza last Saturday.  There are 10 or 12 candidates desiring to continue the discernment process.  John will let present council members know the date of the next meeting so as many can come to speak to the prospective members about their role on the council would be helpful.  It will probably take two more meetings before discernment process is completed.  In order to not have such a drastic turnover on the council, John and Father Joe think it might be best if one or two whose terms are expiring would continue another term so each year there would be five members staying on the council, and five new members would join.

 

3.  Spring Cleaning Day

      Mary reported there were not a lot of volunteers for spring cleaning day last Saturday, however, they did get quite a bit accomplished inside and outside.   

 

3.  25th Anniversary of our current building

      Larry said Group 5 will do a pictorial presentation in the narthex the weekend after Easter showing the past 25 years, present, and future of St. James.   

 

4.  Parish Feast Day 7/25/2006

      It was decided the Parish Feast Day will be Tuesday, July 25th with a picnic in the evening.   Father Joe said Geoff Hagins is willing to try the Art & Music Festival at a later date.         

 

 

 

 

MINISTRY REPORTS:

 

Education:

Father Joe said the School is still looking at how to expand.  They are getting estimates on a trailer. Additional classrooms are needed for next year as there will be two sixth grades.  They are looking for other options as well.  They are also looking for a place for the pre-school playground.  There will be around 120 First Communion students that will be receiving First Communion the weekends of May 9 and May 16.

 

Youth: Sarah Rusch

Sarah reported a large youth group recently met and split into different groups looking at parts of Holy Week from the Last Supper to Jesus’ death.  They did a play from their own point of view.   The Youth Group has a downtown mission trip planned after the end of school.  Joe learned though Bobbi Roman that the diocese is having some exceptional speakers for the Youth in November, and was wondering if we might be interested in getting a speaker to come to St. James. 

 

Liturgy:

Mike said there was a misprint in the bulletin this week.  The Thursday Mass is at 8 p.m., not 8 a.m.   Joe reported that Divine Mercy is going forward.

 

Groups:

Father Joe said the Vocations Committee is handled for the most part by the 31 Club with all days except the 31st being filled with prayer for vocations.  The school has a statue of the Holy Family they have passed around from classroom to classroom the past couple of months to try to bring awareness of praying for vocations.  The first of May they are going give families the option to volunteer to take the statue home for a week to also increase awareness in the family.  The middle school prays for vocations daily. There was an evening for juniors and seniors or older for questions on religious life of priests, brothers and sisters or married life.  There are three being ordained in our diocese in June.  Chuck said the Knights Fish Fry’s went well this year.  The last one had a little lighter attendance with around 450 served.

 

 

PASTOR’S COMMENTS:  

1.      Expressed appreciation for everything the council has done this year. 

2.      Asked for the council’s prayers as he and Father Matt walk through Holy Week.

3.      Asked council to pray for discernment process in filling positions on the council.

4.      Appreciates generosity of parish and effort for reduction of parish debt.

 

 

May Agenda:

1.      Discerning God’s Call for the Parish

2.      Discernment for the next Pastoral Council

3.      Parish Feast Day 7/25/2006

4.      Bring in speaker for St. James? 

 

The next business meeting will be Monday, May 8 at 7 p.m.  Opening and closing prayer will be by Chuck Koesterer.

 

 

 

 

Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes - Recording Secretary