St. James Pastoral
Council Minutes
December 11, 2006
OPENING AND CLOSING PRAYER:
Cathy
Teague
MEMBERS PRESENT: John Alvey, Julia
Alsobrook, Diane Dolak, Mary George, Dave McDonald, Joe Ross, Sarah Rusch, Larry
Stanley, Cathy Teague, Ann Tucker, and Father Joe
MEMBERS ABSENT: Father Matt
The
meeting was conducted by President of the board, John Alvey. The November minutes were approved as
written. The December agenda was
approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Discerning God’s Call for the Parish Goal #5 (Parish improvement
project)
Larry Stanley gave a report on progress of the
parish improvement project. They are in
the process of putting a presentation together to take to the diocese for
financing, and hope to have it finalized by December 20th. They plan to meet with the diocese right
after the first of January. He feels
they have good information to give the diocese with our debt at $396,000 after
this month. He is pleased that $475,000
has been paid on the debt in the past 1 ½ year.
The project could include additional parking and some additional worship
space. Progress will be reported in the
bulletin and through a presentation to the parish to be announced at a later
date.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Northland Planning
Larry attended a Northland
Planning meeting recently. The diocese
is looking at the 12 parishes north of the river to determine the areas of
largest growth and statistics to look at different options for building a new
church or expanding current parishes. Consultants
have analyzed the population trends of the Northland. The Liberty/Shoal Creek area has the most
growth now. The Catholic population is
10-11%.
MINISTRY REPORTS;
Youth: Sarah Rusch
The Confirmation groups recently saw “The Nativity”
at B&B Theatre. Sarah also said
there was a good turnout of 6th, 7th, and 8th
graders for the talk on chastity by Jason Everett.
Activities: Larry Stanley/Mary George
Mary
reported good response again this year for the Advent Giving Tree with 575 tags
returned with gifts. The Glory Be Tea is
a very nice annual event with good attendance again this year.
Groups: Ann Tucker/Dave McDonald
Ann
reported the Altar Society family night Bingo will be January 20th. Joyce Oyen has resigned as chairperson for
Funeral Dinners. Ima Rahter and Iva
Durocher are the new co-chairs. The
Little Saints Playgroup is very active.
They have Bible stories for the children, and faith sharing within the
group. The Over 50’s group provided
about 7 pickup loads of food for the needy recently. There are 25 signed up for the Precious Blood
Companions. The Respect Life Ministry
actively stay involved. They worked very
hard on Proposition 2. The Rosary Group
asked if it is okay to close off the former Mallen Room area for their
meetings. Father Joe said it was fine as
long as someone rearranges the chairs after they meet so the area will be ready
for weekend Masses. Ann said there are
27 still involved in the Compassionate Care Givers. They served lunch recently at the Memorial
Service.
Liturgy: Joe Ross/Cathy Teague
Joe
asked for the Mass schedule for Christmas to be put in the bulletin this
week. He also asked that the area communal
penance services be published in the bulletin.
Education: Julia Alsobrook
and Diane Dolak
Julia
reported the School Auction receipts were $106,449.53. She said the School will be approving their
budget for the coming year tomorrow night.
Pastor’s Comments:
1.
Father
Joe said the Knights of Columbus will possibly help park cars for Christmas Eve
Masses.
January Agenda:
1)
Discerning
God’s call for the Parish
2)
Northland
Planning
Council
members enjoyed refreshments and snacks following the business meeting.
The
next business meeting will be Monday, January 8th at 7:00 p.m. Opening and closing prayer will be by Ann
Tucker.
Meeting
notes courtesy of Dorothy Haynes - Recording Secretary