St. James Parish Council Minutes
July 12, 1999

MEMBERS PRESENT: Ralph Agee, Adam Benson, Sharon Benson, Steve Gregoire, Anita Holt, Tim Laird, Sandy Turner, Steve Wolcott, and Father Ron Will.

ABSENT: Richard Brown, Jo Krones, and Erin Parrish.

Opening prayer was by Cindy Rogers before members gathered in front of the Blessed Sacrament prior to the meeting. The meeting held in the Gasper Room was conducted by Chairperson Steve Wolcott.

Father Ron welcomed the new members of the council and distributed a handout "The Mission and Ministry of the Parish Pastoral Council." A copy of the Parish Council Constitution and By-Laws also was given to each member.

The June minutes were approved after a motion by Sandy Turner and seconded by Kim Parente. The July agenda was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

  1. Members were asked if the time and format of the council meetings were acceptable to all new members. Due to conflicts with other meetings, it was decided to leave the council meetings on the 2nd Monday at 7:00 p.m. Several suggestions were expressed by members to keep meetings to a limit of two hours.

  2. Parish Goals were handed out to members to review before the August meeting. Discussion will be held at that time after members have had a chance to look them over and bring their ideas for any changes to the next meeting.

  3. Anita Holt volunteered to fill the term of Greg Werner on the Fundraising Committee for a 6 month term.

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Election of Officers were as follows:

  2. The council approved a fund-raiser for Officer Frank Kolks, Liberty police officer, who has terminal cancer, and needs assistance with expenses and treatment. The gift basket sale will be after the Masses on July 25 in the church vestibule. The 5% donation back to the parish will be waived.

  3. The Youth garage sale fund-raiser to be held in September was approved in the past, so was decided it does not need approval every year.

Ministry Reports:

    Christian Formation - Ralph - No report

    Human Concerns and Outreach - Sandy
    Sandy distributed a handout covering activities of The Target Group, Habitat for Humanity, and Hillcrest Ministries. She also said there is a new class forming for training for the Stephen Ministers.

    Catholic Organizations - Jo Krones - Absent

    Stewardship and Administration - Kim Parente
    Kim reported the Administration Committee had been brainstorming, and had come up with a wish list for things that need replacing in the parish. She was happy to report that after the wish list appeared in the bulletin, they already had some response to supply a couple of things on the wish list. She also said they hope to give the parish a quarterly report on progress.

    Liturgy - Steve Wolcott
    Steve W. said the choirs will start again in September. He also said Tyler really appreciated the council changing the early Mass to 7:30 a.m.

    Education - Steve Gregoire
    Steve G. said they are working on programs for the youth education for the coming year. Initial planning meeting will be August 17.

    School - Anita Holt
    They are very excited about the new principal, Ed Fierst. The classrooms are being cleaned and the carpeting is being replaced with tile.

    Youth - Sharon Benson
    Sharon introduced her son Adam Benson as a newly appointed Youth council member. She also reported they have 16 in the Youth Group.

    Youth Group Representative - Adam Benson
    Adam reported the Boy Scouts had a great horseback cavalcade in New Mexico recently, and they have another horseback event coming up soon.

    Prayer - Cindy Rogers
    Cindy noted the Eucharistic Adoration period had been increased beginning at 12 o'clock, and she was very pleased that participation before the Blessed Sacrament is really growing. She said they have good participation in the pro-life rosary, and that the Respect Life Group meeting is before the Blessed Sacrament now.

    Communication - Dick Brown
    Dick sent a handout regarding topics on the web site. He also said Christina Porter agreed to be the parish public relations person.

    Pastor's Remarks - Father Ron Will

    1. Father encouraged members to attend the parish feast day activities July 25 from 12:00 to 3:00.

    2. Parish Council members from other dioceses will gather October 9 at Our Lady of Presentation Parish. The theme of this gathering will be "Imagine - A parish fully alive--A council can make it happen."

    3. Year 2000 will be a jubilee year by the Bishop. He is asking for a period of prayer between Easter and Pentecost. There will be a diocesan pilgrimage to Conception Abbey on July 1, 2000, and a Day of Eucharistic Exposition. Father said he will celebrate 25 years after his ordination on June 14. His plans are to have a festive Mass at 11 AM on June 11, followed by a gathering in the social hall.

    Sandy Turner thanked Steve Wolcott for his excellent service as council chairperson this past year.

    The meeting adjourned with closing prayer by Father Ron.

    The next meeting will be Monday, August 9 at 7:00 p.m in the Gasper Room. Opening prayer will be by Steve Gregoire.

    Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes
    7/25/1999