St. James Pastoral Council Minutes
April 9, 2007

 

 

OPENING AND CLOSING PRAYER: John Alvey

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Julia Alsobrook, John Alvey, Diane Dolak, Mary George, Dave McDonald, Ann Tucker, Father Joe and Father Matt

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Joe Ross and Cathy Teague

 

The meeting was conducted by President of the board, John Alvey.  The March minutes were approved as written.  There were no additions to the agenda.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

1.      Discerning God’s Call for the Parish Goal #5 (Parish improvement project)

Dave McDonald gave an update on the parish improvement project. They are going over the plans with the architect this week and are getting info for civil site work.  He also said they are waiting for the city to okay the parking lot.

 

2.  Northland Planning

Father Joe reported they are to meet next week, and are in the process of compiling everything.

 

3.  Fundraising Committee  

Revised forms for fundraisers were distributed.  John said if anyone has any comments or additions to let him know.  He noted the email address of the parish business manager has been added to the form.

                                                                

NEW BUSINESS:

1.  Parish Feast Day

      The actual feast day is Wednesday, July 25.  It was felt last year’s attendance was considerably better held on Tuesday evening rather than during the day when it is so hot at that time of year so members thought we should have it on the actual feast day in the evening.  Also, getting groups involved with food and activities worked well last year.  Further planning will be continued at the next meeting.  

     

MINISTRY REPORTS;

Youth: Sarah Rusch

Sophomores and Junior will be confirmed April 23rd by Bishop Bolin.

 

Activities: Mary George

Mary thanked Father Joe and Father Matt for the extra work and time they put in during Lent and Tridium. The parish cleanup was on March 31st.  Mary headed the inside projects and John Talbot the outside with a lot accomplished with the small number helping.

 

Groups: Ann Tucker

Altar Society is having the Peru sister parish group show their pictures April 19th in the Social Hall.  The Respect Life Ministry is having a gathering here on April 22 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. headed by the coordinator for Respect Life in the diocese with all members in the Respect Life Ministry in the diocese invited.  They will have pictures and info on the march in Washington.  They are having a diaper drive in May.  The Rosary Group expressed their appreciation to Father Matt for fixing the Mallen Room for them to meet.  Chuck Lewis who is a master gardener is taking over the Prayer Garden according to Mary Weishaar.

 

Liturgy: Father Joe

The Liturgy Committee will meet next Monday.  Father Joe said they will probably do a double 11:30 Mass next year for Easter.  We ran out of room at 11:30 this year so, on a spur of the moment, an extra 11:30 Mass was held in the gym for about 200. There were over 700 at the 7:30 Mass.

 

 

Education:  Julia Alsobrook/Diane Dolak

No Report

 

 

Pastor’s Comments:

1)      Father Joe said the School Board didn’t like the idea of the parish council’s suggestion of setting up elections in the back of church after Mass.  They wanted to know if they could select members by a discernment process similar to the parish council to fill the needs of the Board.  Father explained to them that the council’s discernment process was done by an outside group from the diocese not by the council themselves. It was suggested to have parishioners nominate candidates because people hesitate to volunteer themselves and to have some type of modified election rather than just picking certain people.  The council decided it would be okay to have the School Board pick two candidates this year.    

2)      Father asked if the council has any suggestions for the baseball diamond issue.  They would like to have moved it to overlap the soccer field.  This would make good use of our land; however, part of the soccer field would be dirt.

3)      Father thanked all members for their input and insights.  Any comments are very much appreciated.

4)      Larry Stanley asked to be taken off the council due to time commitments. He wants to stay on Goal 5 but can’t do both.  We will look at the last discernment candidates to fill vacancy.

 

April Agenda:

1)      Discerning God’s Call for the Parish

2)      Northland Planning

3)      Parish Feast Day

4)      School Board

 

The next business meeting will be Monday, June 11th at 7:00 p.m.  Opening and closing prayer will be by Diane Dolak.

 

Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes - Recording Secretary