St. James Parish Council Minutes
November 13, 2000

 

OPENING PRAYER:  Ralph Agee

 

PRESENT:  Ralph Agee, William Bednar, Steve Gregoire, Anita Holt, Tim Laird, David Porter, Jerome Schieder, Brett Scott, Parker Stanley, Annette Talbot, Father Ron, and Father Dien

 

ABSENT:  Roger Holyfield, and Kim Parente

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tim Laird.  There was one correction to the October  minutes.  Tim noted the 2010 project draft was compiled from the March survey instead of the May survey as reported. The minutes were then approved after Anita made a motion, and Ralph seconded.   Anita then made a motion to accept the November agenda, which was seconded by Steve.

 

Ed Wier and Jeanne Byrne were present to report the Parish Neighborhood Ministry function and goals.  Ed noted some of the changes in the program since its inception in 1996 with the primary function to welcome new parishioners, and attempt to keep St. James personal and friendly. Ed encourages every parishioner to get to know their Parish Neighborhood neighbors, and asked the council to keep them in mind if anyone has ideas how to improve their ministry. 

 

Reports were given by Father Ron, David Porter, William Bednar, and Steve Gregoire on the Diocesan  Parish Council Workshop programs they attended October 14th at St. James.  All reported the workshop was well attended, and they discussed ideas they obtained from each of the sessions they attended.

 

Steve presented to the council several advantages of being Pastoral Council rather than a Parish Council as discussed in the Parish Council workshop session he attended.  He asked members to think about the pros and cons of a Pastoral Council, and further discussion will be held at the December meeting. He noted if the council did decide to make the change, the bylaws would need to be changed.

 

Tim distributed a rough draft of the 2010 project, and asked members to review it, and let him know if there are any errors or omissions. 

 

The present Holy Day Mass schedule (6:00 p.m. the evening before and 9:00 a.m. the day of) was discussed .  Father Ron asked for suggestions on better times for the average parishioner.  Council members felt attendance would be greater if the evening Mass was held on the holy day rather than the evening before, and several suggestions were given on changing the 9:00 a.m. Mass to accommodate more working people.  Father said he would discuss alternatives with the school for the morning Mass time to be changed. 

 

MINISTRY REPORTS:

Christian Formation: Ralph Agee – No report

 

Human Concerns and Outreach: Annette Talbot – The Advent Christmas gift tree will be the last weekend in November and the first weekend in December.

 

Catholic Organizations: Roger Holyfield – Absent

 

Stewardship and Administration: Kim Parente – Absent

 

Liturgy: Brett Scott – No report

 

Education: Steve Gregoire - No report

 

School: Anita Holt – The school auction netted $72,600.  A $10,000 grant was received for updating the ITV equipment.  A survey of the middle school numbers may require adding another 5th grade.  One of the St. James volleyball teams won the Diocesan Spirit Award.

 

Youth: Jerome Schieder –The Youth lockout is scheduled for this weekend.  There are six confirmation groups, and the one-on-one interview with the candidates is to start the first weekend in December.  There were 281 attending the Diocesan Youth Rally.  About 125 attend the 6th  to 9th grades youth group on Wednesday night.

 

Prayer: David Porter – No report

 

Communication: William Bednar – No report

 

Parish & Family Life: Tim Laird – No report

 

PASTOR’S REMARKS:

1.      The Bishop has asked the Northland Deaneries to discuss Parish Boundaries, future growth, and if a new parish should be planned in the Northland.

2.      Asked the council if they felt he should offer another “Walk through the Old Testament”, and they agreed he should try to arrange it.

3.      A coordinator is needed for the Parish Pictorial Directory. 

4.      Suggestions for the sign by Stewart Road for 2001 are requested.

5.      A report of the number attending each Mass since the 6 p.m. Mass was added shows it has alleviated some of the overcrowding at the 9:15 and 11:00 Masses. 

 

The next meeting will be December 11th at 7:00 p.m. with Parker Stanley giving the opening prayer.  Fr. Jim Urbanic will be here to discuss Evangelization, Henry Parente is to talk on the continuation of the 2010 project after the committee dissolves, and further discussion will be held on a Pastoral Council.

 

Father Ron closed the meeting with a prayer.

 

 

 

Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes