St. James Pastoral Council Minutes
September 8, 2003

 

 

OPENING PRAYER:  Father Ron

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: John Alvey, Ed Barlett, Doris Cadd, Mike Klamm, Chuck Koesterer, Kim Lay, Ken Platt, Larry Stanley, Chris Venditti, Father Ron Will, Ken Oyen, and Youth Representatives Diana Keck and Chris Oldenburg.

 

ABSENT: Jan Agee and John Talbot

 

The meeting was conducted by Chairperson Mike Klamm.   There was one correction to the August minutes by Chris Venditti.  She said during last month’s update to Strategy 1, Goal A, Action #4 that Brad & Mary Thomas were to be taken off as Point of Contact. The September agenda was approved.

 

AGENDA: 

 

1)      Meet Sr. Mary Jo, new Liturgy & Music Director

      Father Ron introduced Sr. Mary Jo.  Her first impression of St. James is that we are a very welcoming community, and she is excited to be Liturgy and Music Director for such an active parish.  She reported there was a very good turnout for the musician’s organizational meeting and dinner September 3rd.   The children’s choir is going to be directed by Carolyn Wirtanen, the Bell Choir is under control, and the first adult choir practice is this week.  Some of her ideas are to have a music group for the 6 p.m. Mass twice a month, and she hopes to have a funeral choir.  She has experienced expansion in other locations she has served, and is looking forward to being a part of that here.

     

2)      Report back on last month’s discussion of 2010 Strategy #1

§   Chris said she had talked with Sandy Turner regarding inviting newcomers to Dinners for Eight.  After discussion with Sandy and the council it was decided there would be too many new families every year to include them with Dinners for Eight.  There are over 200 new families joining the parish a year. 

§   Ed Weir informed Chris there presently are no neighborhood heads.  Chris said she and Jan will research points of contact for neighborhoods.

§   Jim Gillet drafted a letter to send to inactive parishioners at the request of the council.  After reviewing and discussing the letter, Larry Stanley stated his concern for offending parishioners that may come to Mass, however, do not use their envelopes to contribute, or that may serve the parish in other ways even though not able to support financially.  Ken was asked to bring a report to the next meeting of parishioners who have had no financial contribution for one year and have no involvement in any of our ministries.  After further discussion, it was decided to table the issue until the next Strategy #1 review by Chris. 

 

3)      Parish Work Day

Mike Klamm said Roger Holyfield agreed to head up the October 18 Parish Work Day which will start at 9 a.m.  Some repairs are needed at the priest’s residence.  Mike said he would help organize the projects.  Ken Oyen was asked to get a list of repair items needed.

 

4)      Update about Lou Carey on ministry heads contacting new volunteers 

      Chris had a report from Lou showing only the ministry heads that have responded to the names given to them from the Time and Talent survey.  She had informed the council last month that she did not get a response from many of the ministry heads as to whether the volunteers had been contacted.  The council gets reports of volunteers in past years who have never been contacted when they expressed an interest in certain ministries, and feel everyone should be contacted even though possibly the ministry they volunteered for doesn’t need additional help to see if they would be interested in another ministry.  Mike said he would draft a letter from the Pastoral Council for Lou to send to the ministry heads who haven’t responded along with another list of the volunteers.

 

5)      Report back on contact with Larry Kramer regarding Strategic Planning

Father Ron said Larry Kramer who contacted St. James several months ago to develop a Strategic Plan has helped St. Gabriel’s Parish and Conception Abbey set some goals.  Doris questioned if we just need to re-evaluate our present Project 2010.  Several members don’t feel we need a paid facilitator to develop a new strategic plan, and Mike suggested the Administration Committee and Pastoral Council could get together to do this.  John Alvey expressed his concern that due to the way the parish is growing, do we need to have a plan for expansion in place?  It was also noted that our largest goal is debt reduction, and at the rate we are able to reduce the debt it won’t be financially feasible for expansion needs.  It was decided have Father Ron contact Mr. Kramer to see if he is available to come to the October council meeting.

 

6)      Diocesan Workshop for Council Breakout Sessions

Father Ron asked members that are able to attend the workshop to pick out the sessions they are interested in so he can submit the registrations by next week.

 

7)      Suggestion to establish an email forum

Ed Barlett explained the advantages of the email forum he emailed members about, and said he would be the moderator.  One advantage is that when council members change or have a change in their email address, just let Ed know and he will make the appropriate changes.  He said you can set preferences for the emails that you want sent, can archive emails, and hold emails if on vacation.

 

8)      Any further thoughts about State of the Parish Report?

Father Ron said he has prepared his report in three sections: (1) Growing Parish, (2) Financial Responsibilities, and (3) Future Needs.   The State of the Parish Report will be given at the Masses the weekend of September 20 and 21. 

 

9)      Review/discuss articles from “Today’s Parish” magazine.

Members discussed the article “Are you a Primer, Planter, or Pruner?”

 

MINISTRY REPORTS:

Youth – Larry Stanley reported there are 150 signed up for the Youth Group, and 50 for the second year Confirmation class.  Parent’s night is September 21st.  Willie said adult volunteers are always needed to assist.  The Youth Group garage sale is coming up this weekend, and he said they could use more items.

 

Communication – Doris Cadd said Howard Henry is making good progress with the school website.  The school website is being built, and Howard is talking with the PTO to get funding for the website domain, and getting information from the teachers for the site.

 

Christian Formation/Religious Education – Kimberly Lay said Fran Riley reported the Baptismal preparation in the homes is going great.  The Annual Glory Be Tea is December 14th.  Reconciliation preparation classes for parents begin September 29th.  Religious Ed classes begin September 14th, and all classes are full now.  This year the three year olds are included in Religious Ed.

 

Catholic Organizations – Len Platt was told by Bill Roach there is no field in Liberty available for softball, and they will plan to reestablish group and look for new field sites.  There are 15 to 20 people playing volleyball, and they are still recruiting.  John Alvey said the Knights of Columbus are having an Appreciation Dinner for volunteers.  Their spaghetti dinner benefiting the teachers attending the teacher’s conference in Boston is September 13th.   The Adoration Ministry is getting their teams together for Thursday Adoration.

 

School – Chuck Koesterer reported the current enrollment is 316.

 

External Human Concerns and Outreach – Ed Barlett reported we had enough volunteers for St. James Place soup kitchen last month.  There seems to be several interested in continuing this ministry.

 

The next meeting will be the Monday, October 13th at 7 p.m. with opening prayer by Larry Stanley. 

 

OCTOBER AGENDA:

§         Final review of Parish Workday

§         Review from Day of Councils

§         Larry Kramer – Strategic Planning

§         Discuss volunteer letter for Lou

§         Email Forum

§         Ken Oyen – 1st Quarter Financial Report

§         Strategy #2 Update (Ed and Doris)

 

Closing prayer was given by Chuck Koesterer.

 

Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes