St. James Parish Council Minutes
December 9, 2002

 

 

OPENING PRAYER:  Father Ron

 

PRESENT: John Alvey, Doris Cadd, Lou Carey, Chuck Koesterer, Kim Lay, Jerome Schieder, Annette Talbot, Chris Venditti, Father Ron Will and Father Jim Urbanic

 

ABSENT: Ed Barlett, Roger Holyfield, and Mike Klamm

 

GUESTS:  Ken Oyen

 

The meeting was opened by Chairperson Annette Talbot.  Chris made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Doris.  An addition to the agenda was William Jewell Ministry by Father Jim.  The December agenda was then approved after a motion by Doris, seconded by John.

 

AGENDA:

 

1)      The Election Committee report by Chris was that we would still have the same election process this year.  The committee doesn’t feel there is enough time for preparation for election by discernment.  Several names were submitted by members for potential Pastoral Council candidates.  They will be contacted by an  Election Committee member to run for the council.

 

2)      Annette reported she tried to arrange a meeting with Mary Ellen Hughes regarding the Scout Awards during Sunday Mass, and has been unable to schedule such meeting.  The council feels that due to the liturgy guidelines established in September, 2000, concerning special events at our Sunday liturgy, a compromise could be reached by recognizing Scouts at Mass as outlined in guideline #3: “Events of parish organizations may be recognized by the Presider and may also include a special blessing for the group.  The names of those to be recognized may be printed in the worship aid and the assembly may be invited to read them.  The actual awards/recognition event will take place at an alternate time outside of the Mass.”  Doris will see that Mary Ellen gets a copy of the Liturgy Committee Guidelines. 

 

3)      A review of 2010 Strategy #3 was given by Chris.  She reported Goal A Actions regarding stewardship are ongoing, however, the date to reach goal to pay off the present parish debt by 2005 will no doubt have to be extended, but will wait until closer to 2005 to see where we stand.  Action #3 Point of Contact will be Lou Carey.   Goal B Actions are all in place.  After Council discussion, Ken Oyen was named as the as Point of Contact for Action 1 in lieu of Dawn and Danny Claxton who are responsible for maintaining a written preventative maintenance schedule for the entire physical plant.  Goal C:  Optimize and Rejuvenate Space for our Faith Community.   Will leave 2004 as goal date since it is not feasible at this time to increase our parish debt.  Chris spoke to Mike Kromeich regarding Action #3: Improve our green space with abundant trees and flowers.  This action is ongoing, and he indicated trees to line the parking lot entrance could be added.

 

 

4)      Chris volunteered to continue another six months on the Fundraiser Review Committee.  Doris and Ed will also remain on the committee to serve January through June, 2003.

 

5)      Ministry Reports:

Prayer – Lou Carey - No Report

 

Youth – Jerome Schieder – The annual Youth lockout in November was a success and a good experience for those attending.  The students went door to door asking for donations for the Food Kitchen.  Father Jim had Mass outdoors at 11 P.M.

 

Liturgy -  Chris Venditti – 10 new Special Ministers of Holy Communion will be commissioned December 8th.  There will be two Baptized and Confirm five candidates December 15th at 9:15 Mass.  The hoop for the Advent Wreath was donated by Bratcher Cooperage.  We have two new cantors from William Jewell – Jessica Tucker and Melissa Skolaut.  We also have a new flute player – Becca Risty.

 

Communication – Doris Cadd – No Report

 

Christian Formation/Religious Ed – Kim Lay – Fran Riley reported the first of two meetings for Baptism with expectant couples will be January 5th.  This process seems to be working well.

 

Catholic Organizations – John Alvey – No Report  

 

School – Chuck Koesterer – Knights of Columbus will hold their annual New Year’s Day black-eyed pea and ham dinner with donations to the poor.  The school is looking into some alternatives to see if cooperation with other schools regarding insurance on the school buses would be a resolution for the large increases the private individuals are having insuring our buses.  

 

Internal Human Concerns and Outreach – Annette Talbot – No Report

 

External Human Concerns and Outreach – Ed Barlett – No Report

 

Parish & Family Life – Mike Klamm – No Report

 

Administration & Stewardship – Chuck Koesterer – The Administration Committee is still working on policy for rental of Social hall agreement.  They are also looking at replacement of the garbage disposal in the Social Hall kitchen.

 

6)      The William Jewell Ministry meeting held recently with the several interested parishioners and parish staff was a very productive session according to Father Jim.  He and Lou will be talking further with William Jewell about how the parish can assist in the faith life of the college.  He said they are planning a 6 P.M. Mass Sunday, February 2nd involving some of the students in that Mass, followed by a short meeting and supper.  There is a lot of excitement in this ministry, and they were quite surprised at the large number of Catholic students at the college. 

 

PASTOR’S REMARKS:

61 names were received for the “Called By Name” ministry.  A letter will be going out soon to invite them to supper at Father Ron’s.

 

The meeting ended with a prayer by Jerome Schieder.  The next meeting will be January 13th at 7 p.m.  Items on the agenda will be Scout meeting discussion, Strategy 4 update, and a report by the Election Committee.  Lou will give the opening prayer.

Meeting notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes