St. James Parish Council Minutes
November 11, 2002

 

OPENING PRAYER:  Jerome Schieder

 

PRESENT: John Alvey, Ed Barlett, Doris Cadd, Lou Carey, Chuck Koesterer, Jerome Schieder, Annette Talbot, Father Ron Will and Father Jim Urbanic

 

ABSENT: Roger Holyfield, Mike Klamm, Kim Lay, and Chris Venditti

 

GUESTS:  Ken Oyen

 

The meeting was opened by Chairperson Annette Talbot.  There was a correction to the October minutes by Father Ron.  He noted it was Mary Ellen Hughes rather than Mary Ann Hughes as reported who attended the meeting on behalf of the Scouts.  Doris Cadd made a motion to approve the minutes, and John Alvey seconded. The November agenda was then approved after a motion by Doris, seconded by Lou Carey.

 

AGENDA:

1)      Further discussion about Scout’s Awards during Sunday Mass continued from last month’s meeting with a review of Liturgy Committee Guidelines from September, 2000, and comments from the staff.  Father Ron stressed events to be included during Mass should be sacramental or involve the entire parish and the Parish Staff feels the Liturgy Committee guidelines should be followed.  Lou suggested recognition for the Scouts at Mass with presentation of awards afterwards.  Annette and Doris along with representatives from the parish staff will meet with Ed and Mary Ellen Hughes to explain the Council’s position on the award ceremony.  

 

2)      The Election Committee discussion continued from last month’s meeting with Doris Cadd referring to a handout from “A Day for Councils” on qualities to look for in pastoral council members.  She stated that we probably aren’t ready for elections by the discernment process since it is a lengthy process and elections aren’t far off.  Annette reminded council members to contact their ministry heads for their suggestions for potential council members, and Doris will use the materials presented at the meeting to share with potential pastoral council members. In addition, Fr. Ron suggested that once potential candidates are suggested, they be called by a member of the pastoral council to say that both the council and others have seen qualities in this individual that would make this person a great candidate to serve on the pastoral council.

 

3)      Complaints were heard regarding a School Suggestion Box request to “Please work to eliminate smoking on parish and school grounds.  Have a small designated smoking area somewhere off to the side if people must smoke.”  Chuck Koesterer said there were complaints of smokers using the prayer garden and standing right by the school doors to smoke.  Annette asked if there were cigarette receptacles at the entrances, and Ken Oyen said there is a receptacle at the school entrance.  Council members thought enforcing a smoking policy would be difficult.  Lou suggested that possibly the rental agreement for the social hall should include that it is a non-smoking facility.  Chuck was asked to bring this matter before the school board. 

 

4)      Discussion was held on “Sponsor one parishioner yearly to attend Liberty’s Leadership Course” as one of our goals of 2010 Strategy #5, Goal C. Action #4.  Father Ron didn’t know if this would benefit our parish.  He said it is a commitment of eight ˝ day and 2 full day meetings twice monthly on Tuesdays, January through May.  The cost is $225.00.  Jerome indicated he might be interested because of Hillcrest Ministries.  It is associated with the Chamber of Commerce as a program for development of skills.  A notice will be published in the bulletin to see if anyone is interested in this opportunity.

 

5)      Father Ron reported the School Board feels the Blue Ribbon status for the school isn’t so attractive or helpful any more.  The guidelines have changed, and the board feels it should be dropped from our 2010 Project, Strategy 4, Goal A, Action 8 since they don’t feel it is a worthwhile goal any more.

 

6)      Father Ron gave each council member a list of 16 to 45-year-old, single parishioners, and asked members to review the names, mark ones they think have qualities that would make a good Priest, Brother or Sister and return it to Mass this weekend.  Ed Barlett told council members how the “Called by Name” program was formed by the Vocations Committee and some of their activities.

 

7)      Jerome and John both commented on interesting articles in the last issue of “Today’s Parish.”  Articles reviewed were “Christmas Liturgies” and “24 Things a Pastoral Council should know.”

 

8)      Ministry Reports:

Prayer – Lou Carey - No Report

 

Youth – Jerome Schieder – The annual Youth lockout will be November 22nd and 23rd.

 

Liturgy -  Chris Venditti – No Report

 

Communication – Doris Cadd – Howard Henry is updating the website, and working on the school website.  Doris also said she spoke with Matthew Barlett who does video taping of Masses, and found there is a need for VHS video tapes.  Matthew uses approximately six tapes per week.  Doris will put a request for video tape donations in the bulletin.

 

Christian Formation/Religious Ed – Kim Lay – No Report

 

Catholic Organizations – John Alvey – Report from Ann Tucker that the Previous Blood Companions will be having a Pot Luck Dinner and Prayer Service.  

 

School – Chuck Koesterer – Reported the school appreciated all of the community efforts in the recent crisis situation at the school.  He said there are 319 students in the school now.

 

Internal Human Concerns and Outreach – Annette Talbot – No Report

 

External Human Concerns and Outreach – Ed Barlett – Reported adding St. James Place ministry headed by Matthew Link to External Human Concerns and Outreach

 

Parish & Family Life – Mike Klamm – No Report

 

Administration & Stewardship – Chuck Koesterer – Several indoor and outdoor projects were accomplished at the recent Parish Workday with about 25 volunteers.  We have been able to pay an additional $10,000 on the parish debt.  Evaluation of the fees on rental of the Social Hall are being done.  Ken Oyen is checking with other parishes to see what they charge.  Chuck also noted that at “A Day for Councils” it was suggested to do your parish Time and Talent survey in the fall and the Treasure commitment another time of the year.

 

Father Jim said they have received a lot of calls about the William Jewell Ministry, and will look into what we can do.

 

Pastor’s Remarks:

1)      Father Ron asked council members to each give their feelings on the shooting event this past week, and what we should do for the parish.   Annette suggested a tile for the wall at school in memory of the victim of the shooting.  Chuck said he felt we owed a great deal of gratitude to the Liberty Police Department for their exemplary efforts following the shooting and to the Liberty 12 Cinema for allowing the school to use their facility in a lockdown situation such as this.  He said it helped so much to have a place such as the theatre for the children to be moved to and picked up following the incident.

2)      There have been very positive experiences after the sixth week of Renew.  There will be a pot luck dinner in the Social Hall for the Renew Group November 24th.   Father said he is looking forward to Season 2 of Renew which is Lent.

 

The meeting ended with a prayer by Doris Cadd.  The next meeting will be December 9th at 7 p.m.  Lou will give the opening prayer.

 

 

Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes