St. James Parish Council Minutes
May 12, 2003

 

 

OPENING PRAYER:  Annette Talbot

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: John Alvey, Ed Barlett, Doris Cadd, Lou Carey, Chuck Koesterer, Annette Talbot, Father Ron Will, Father Jim Urbanic, and Ken Oyen

 

GUESTS PRESENT:  Bob Wiese, Howard Henry, and Susan Woehrman

 

ABSENT: Roger Holyfield, Mike Klamm, Kim Lay, Jerome Schieder, Chris Venditti, and Youth Representatives Diana Keck and Vincent DeMarco

 

The meeting was opened by Chairperson Annette Talbot.  Doris made a motion to approve the April minutes, seconded by John.  There was one addition to the agenda: Transition of  Pastors.  The agenda was approved after motions were made by Doris and John.

 

AGENDA:

 

1)      Results of elections the past weekend were: Pastoral Council: Jan Agee, Len Platt, Larry Stanley, and John Talbot; School Board: Julie Landuyt and Steve Smith.  A retreat for the new parish council will be June 14th, 9 a.m. to Noon, at the Precious Blood Center.  Sandy Landuyt will lead the retreat, and members are to bring snacks.  Council members were asked to keep in mind the Diocesan Day for Pastoral Councils to be held at St. James on October 11th.

 

2)      Bob Wiese was present to discuss several options for a 24-Hour Parish Access Line.  He said our present PBX is not easily programmable due to age, however, after-hours incoming calls could be redirected several ways to a live person.  If we want an information line, this would involve another phone line.  He said to narrow the focus or revisit the intent to redirect the caller to the proper ministry, and he would be willing to assist in setting it up. 

 

3)      (a) Howard Henry and Susan Woerhman were present to answer questions on the Parish and School websites.  Howard commented on the issue to publish all ministry head names and numbers on the website, and said we should have their permission to do so.  Lou will contact all current ministry heads, and forward their info to Howard.  Doris said she talked to the diocese about putting our parish directory on the website, and was advised there are no regulations for this at the present time.  Due to the importance of privacy, everyone agreed we should not publish the directory on the website.   Susan Woerhman gave the council a progress report on the School website.  She said the subcommittee for the website will be meeting Monday, and she is hoping to get the necessary support from the school administration to get ideas on getting content for the site.   Howard suggested a parent or teacher be appointed to keep it updated daily or even a person per classroom.  Doris will talk to Ed Fierst and Molly Doherty to see if it is possible to getting the website in place by fall. 

 

3)  (b) The Transition Phase for Father Jim leaving St. James since being elected Provincial for the Precious Blood Community will be that he will stay at St. James until Father Ron returns the end of July.  Father Jim said he will continue to help out part-time at St. James during the summer until Father Ron returns.  Father Jim will be gone from June 22nd to 30th. Father Ron offered to stay on as Pastor at St. James for another year so we would not be losing both pastor and associate pastor at the same time.  Father Ron is committed to a retreat and time off during June and July, and will be gone from June 9 to July 16 and again the weekend of July 25-27.   Our new associate pastor, Father Keith Branson, will be here August 15th.  Father Jim thanked the parish for their support.   He also said he would like to still have some involvement with St. James when he is in town.  Matt Link will also be leaving June 1st. 

 

4)      Job Descriptions for Parish Liturgist & Choir Director were discussed.  Two positions have been advertised.  Father Ron thinks there is enough work for two people.  Father Jim said he will continue with the committee to hire the Liturgy/Choir Director.  They have had six or seven applicants thus far, and have declined two.  Father Jim stated how important the Liturgy Director is, second to the Priest. The potential for building additional choirs is also desired.

 

5)      Parish Feast Day chairpersons are Annette Talbot and Christine Nieves.  It will be held Saturday, July 26th at 6:15 p.m.  Some activities planned are: Reptile show, scavenger hunt, bingo, moonwalk, and homemade ice cream.

 

6)      The 2003-2004 Budget was presented by Ken Oyen.  Ken said the 2003-3004 budget has been approved by the Administration Committee.  He stated the budget will have to be adjusted if we hire two, a Liturgy Director and a Choir Director, and this will have an effect on our debt reduction.   He also said expenses have not been budgeted for a Third World Church.   Of interest to all, payments on the parish diocesan loan are projected to be $225,042 at fiscal year end when only $108,000 was budgeted for the year.  Ken also noted the Endowment Fund is now up to around $350,000 so there was nothing budgeted in 2004 for this fund so more can be applied to pay on the parish debt.

 

7)  Ministry Reports

 

Prayer:  Lou Carey reported Joan Sage is the head for the Intercessory Prayer Line.  The best thing that ever happened to them is e-mail.

 

School: Chuck Koesterer reported the school has 324 registered.  They are loosing 27 8th graders. 

 

Administration & Stewardship: Chuck Koesterer said the bell tower is in front of the church, and they are now waiting a decision for placement.

 

PASTOR’S REMARKS:

§         Father Ron extended thank you’s to Annette Talbot and Lou Carey for their service on the council and presented them with certificates of appreciation.

 

The next meeting will be Monday, July 21st  at 7 p.m. with opening prayer by Father Ron. 

 

JULY AGENDA:

§         Election of Officers

§         Assignment of Strategies and Ministries

§         Parish Feast Day report

 

The meeting ended with a prayer.

Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes