St. James Pastoral Council Minutes
November 14, 2005

 

OPENING & CLOSING PRAYER: John Talbot

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: John Alvey, Mary George, Mike Jones, Chuck Koesterer, Dave McDonald, Joe Ross, Larry Stanley, Sara Rusch, John Talbot, and Father Joe

 

The meeting was conducted by President of the board, Chuck Koesterer.  The October minutes were approved as written.  There was one addition to the November Agenda.  Len Platt was present to ask the council’s direction on fundraising guidelines.

 

Len Platt, Business Manager, asked the council for specific direction on fundraising guidelines.  He is concerned that some organizations do not tithe or feel they should donate 10% of their proceeds back to the parish. He doesn’t feel it is fair for the ministries or other organizations that do, and wants it to be fair for everyone.  He asked if there should be a set amount or 10% whichever is less.  He said there is no contractual agreement now, and asked if there should be a form for fundraiser groups to fill out for tithing.  The council asked the fundraising committee to meet and make recommendations at the next meeting.   

 

Old Business:

1.      Discerning God’s call for the Parish

Joe Ross gave an update on Discerning God’s call for the Parish.  He said parishioners should be receiving the booklets this week.  The committee is striving to communicate well the goals, objectives, and strategies outlined in this blueprint by displays in the narthex, progress through the bulletin, newsletter and the St. James website.  They want to get more involvement from parishioners and council members to work on planning for the future of St. James.

                                                                

2.  Fall Cleaning Day

     John Talbot is organizing the fall cleaning day to be held November 19th.  Mary George volunteered to

head up the inside projects.

 

 3.  Discernment for the Next Pastoral Council

      Chuck has tried to contact Doris Cadd for assistance and materials for the discernment process for the next pastoral council, and hasn’t made contact with her yet.  The council felt we should start the discernment process with submission of names in January, meetings in February and concluding the discernment in March.  Chuck will put a notice in the bulletin for parishioners to be considering a position on the Pastoral Council.

 

New Business:

1.   Video – “Celebrating what is right in the world”

Father Joe showed a video “Celebrating what is right in the world” for the council.  He feels this applies to the Pastoral Council and as individuals to be open minded and discerning. 

 

2.   Announcements after Mass

Father Joe said he will continue to have announcements after Mass, however, he has so many requests from individuals wanting to speak after Mass that he doesn’t know where to draw the line so he will continue his policy to limit these.

 

Ministry Reports:

Activities: Larry Stanley and Mary George

Mary reported there are 450 tags for gifts needed for the Advent Giving Tree.  Gifts are due back by December 4th for distribution.  The next blood drive will be November 29th.  There was a good turnout for the Advent Gathering which went very well.

 

 

 

Education: Chuck Koesterer

Chuck said there are around 379 in Religious Education.  First Reconciliation numbers are up about 30.  Father Joe will be meeting with the Baptism couples.  The school auction was very successful again this year.

 

Liturgy: Mike Jones and Joe Ross

A map of the new way for communion was given to members which will start the last weekend of November.  Father Joe said there had been much discussion with groups for better flow to alleviate the congestion near the music section.  The center aisle and the aisle near the side altar will be used.  Mike Jones said he is making a new processional cross through donations.  It will be an Epiphany cross made from olive wood from the Holy Land.

 

Groups: John Alvey and Dave McDonald

John reported the Over 50 group is doing their annual food drive collection now.  The youth group will deliver the food this weekend.

 

Administration and Stewardship:  Chuck Koesterer and John Talbot

Chuck said Father Joe would like to increase the amount of money given to Love, Inc.  It is a very good organization helping the needy.

 

Pastor’s Comments:

  1. The “No Food in the Gym” signs are no longer there.  Father Joe feels you either enforce it or take the signs down.  After discussion with the School Board it was decided to take signs down.  It was suggested that items be available for cleanup in case of spills.
  2. Gym practice on Sunday afternoons will be permitted if available.
  3. Asked council’s permission to have the Prayer Garden on the Garden Tour in the spring. The council okayed the request.
  4. Permission to have olive wood items for sale in April was granted by the council.
  5. Father Matt and Father Joe want to sell the house they live in and apply money to the parish debt.  They have the opportunity to move to a newer house owned by the Precious Blood Community on Wellington Way next to Father Dineen.  The only expenses they will have will be utilities. They hope to be moved by the end of the year.
  6. The 6 p.m. Mass December 11th will be a Spanish/English Mass.  

 

The next business meeting will be Monday, December 12th at 7:00 p.m.  Members are to bring snacks for the next meeting.  Opening and closing prayer will be by John Alvey.

 

December agenda items:

  • Discerning God’s Call For Our Parish
  • Discernment Process for Council

 

 

Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes - Recording Secretary