St. James Pastoral Council Minutes
October 11, 2004

 

OPENING PRAYER/COMMISSIONING OF NEW MEMBERS: Larry Stanley

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: John Alvey, Joshua Barlett, Mary George, Mike Jones, Len Platt, Bobbi Roman, Joe Ross, Larry Stanley, John Talbot, and Ken Oyen

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Chuck Koesterer, Kimberly Lay, Dave McDonald, and Father Joe

 

The meeting was conducted by Vice Chair John Alvey.  The September minutes were approved as written, and the October agenda was approved.

 

Howard Norris representing the Stewardship Committee was present to ask the council for their ideas and thoughts on what this committee could do to improve Stewardship.  He wants to report or attend the council meetings monthly for more involvement between the council and this committee, and the council accepted his request.

 

Cynthia Eslick, Youth Director, presented to the council a fundraiser of local grocery store coupon books instead of the annual youth garage sale.  She said if each child’s responsibility is to sell four books, they should make around $3,200 which would bring in more than the garage sale, and be much less work.  She is looking forward to the Generations of Faith program which will be a great way for total catechesis for the parish.  The purpose of the program is to educate all ages through shared prayer, meal and further discussion after the meal which will hopefully continue in the home.     

 

AGENDA:

1.     Update on the Day of Councils – Mary George and Bobbi Roman

Mary and Bobbi reported briefly on the Day of Councils sessions they attended recently.  Mary shared materials and ideas she obtained from the sessions she took part in for Capital Campaign and Communication.  Bobbi attended sessions on Wanting Vibrant Parishioners, and Whole Church Catechesis.  Mary and Bobbi both found the sessions to be very informative.  

 

2.     Creating a committee for the next Discernment process

John Alvey asked for a committee for the next Discernment process which begins in January.  In the past he said the out-going council members were the committee for seeking candidates for the vacancies.  Consensus of the council was to have out-going members comprise this committee.  Members who will be going off the council in 2005 will be Chuck Koesterer, John Alvey, and Kimberly Lay.  Members also felt it might be helpful to have a council member who went through the Discernment process this year also serve on this committee.  Bobbi Roman volunteered to serve. 

 

3.     Ministry Reports

Prayer: John Talbot reported Mary Weishaar is asking for volunteers to assist in getting the Prayer Garden ready for winter and spring.  Landscaping around the bell tower looks great. 

 

Youth: Bobbi Roman reported the Youth Lockout will be held soon.

 

Liturgy: Mike Jones stated he has had it brought to his attention by Respect for Life that the rose on the altar is on a small table where it is obscured.   He also said he is still receiving comments on parishioner’s preference for the round hosts for communion.

 

Communications:  Len Platt reported the parish newsletter is going to be reduced to three issues due to the increased cost for publishing.  The three issues will be Advent, Lent and Pentecost.    

 

Catholic Organizations:  John Alvey reported the Knights of Columbus have just completed their Tootsie Roll Drive.   

 

Internal Human Concerns and Outreach:  Mary George said she heard from Joyce Oyen that they are putting the written policy on Funeral Dinners in the bulletin so parishioners will know what is available and know their limitations.   Pat Renner, Advent Tree chairperson, reported to Mary they were short of names for the tree last year so they are getting more names from St. James Midtown this year.  

 

External Human Concerns: Larry Stanley said Love, Inc., is looking for a place for their facility as their present location on Blue Jay Drive won’t be available when the development of that area begins.  He said they are probably going to have to relocate to a church.  If anyone has any ideas, let him know.

 

School: Enrollment is at 301.  The School Auction will be November 6th.

 

November Agenda:

1)     Use of land on Kings Highway

2)     Report on El Pinar

3)     Questionnaire

4)     Ministry Consolidation

 

The meeting was adjourned with a sending prayer by John Alvey.  The next business meeting will be Monday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m.  Mike Jones will give the opening prayer.  

 

Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes - Recording Secretary