St. James Parish Council Minutes
October 9, 2000

 

OPENING PRAYER:  Anita Holt

 

PRESENT:  Ralph Agee, Steve Gregoire, Anita Holt, Roger Holyfield, Tim Laird, David Porter, Jerome Schieder, Parker Stanley, Annette Talbot, and Father Ron.  Guest Ed Fierst, school principal.

 

ABSENT:  William Bednar, Kim Parente, Brett Scott

 

Chairman Tim Laird called the meeting to order.  The September minutes and October agenda were approved.

 

Ed Fierst, school principal, gave the council an update on the school ministry.  Enrollment is up over last year, with this year’s sixth grade full.  Retaining middle school students has improved, as evidenced by a graduating class of 9 two years ago; to a graduating class of 20 last school year.  The school theme “Strengthen Relationships. . .Ponder the Possibilities”, has been a focus with faculty and students to build  community.  Discipline enforces this theme with Jim Fey’s Love and Logic, which is based on gospel values.  This discipline teaches with consequences therefore teaching responsibility.  The teachers will be attending a workshop in conjunction with the Liberty Public School this month.

 

Tim updated the council on the 2010 project.  A draft was reviewed which sets goals and challenges us, as a parish, over the next 10 years.  The committee wanted goals to be accountable and measurable.  The draft was compiled from surveys, the May 2010 meeting and visiting with ministries.  Suggestions were made for publicity to the parish.  Implementation and monitoring of the goals was also discussed.  There will be a parish wide meeting for the 2010 Project on November 11.

 

The Day for Councils will be Sat. October 14.  Father Ron asked those attending to arrive early to act as greeters.  Those attending also needed to choose their sessions before arriving.

 

MINISTRY REPORTS:

Christian Formation:  Ralph Agee – RCIA has entry into the program year round, allowing individuals to take their own journey.  This program is for new Catholics and those wishing to complete their journey.  Suggestions were given to promote this program in the parish.

 

Human Concerns and Outreach:  Annette Talbot – Sr. Mary’s Food Kitchen has a new director.  They have been blessed with plenty of volunteers so far.  Habitat for Humanity has several area churches wanting to band together to start their own organization.  It was suggested that the area churches work through the Northland Habitat for Humanity and focus on our area instead of setting up another organization.

 

Catholic Organizations:  Roger Holyfield – Precious Blood will have a St. Gaspers Feast Day on October 22.  Volleyball on Friday nights began its fourth year.  Altar Society will provide the refreshments at break for the Walk Through the New Testament at St. Andrews.  On November 7, Diane Shultz will present “Becoming Empowered, Healing our Self-Esteem”

 

Stewardship and Administration: Kim Parente – absent

 

Liturgy:  Brett Scott – absent

 

Education:  Steve Gregoire – A written report was given to all members.  All of the classrooms have been filled with 265 students, Pre-K through 5th grade.  Christmas program is set for Sun., December 16.

 

School:  Anita Holt – no additional report.

 

Youth:  Jerome Schieder – A written report was given to all members.  There have been 90 – 110 students attending youth group.  There are several youth group events; all information is updated in the bulletin weekly.

 

Prayer:  David Porter – The 5th grade students will begin attending Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays.

 

Communication:  William Bednar – absent.

 

Parish and Family Life:  Time Laird – no report.

 

PASTOR’S REMARKS

1.                  According to the Mid America Regional Council, there are 2226 children under the age of 4 and 6000 children between the ages of 5 and 17 in the 64068 zip code.  As a rule of thumb, approximately 23% of them are Catholic.  Something to keep in mind for future growth.

 

Suggestions were taken for future meeting programs.

 

The next meeting will be November 13 at 7:00 p.m. with Ralph Agee giving the opening prayer.  The November program will include a report on The Day for Councils and 2010 Project update.  Father Ron closed the meeting with a prayer.

Meeting notes courtesy of Anita Holt