March 22, 2010 minutes
Members present: Fr. Marty, Fr. Mick, Deacon Ed, Barb Bohney, Ken Clark, Diana Donnell, Allen Girnus, Tim Hazard, Jim Karl, Ted Markiewicz, Jeannine Quigley, John Wallace, Gary Wolfe, Julie Wolfe
Fr. Marty opened the meeting by reading a from St. John Fisher's reflection on Christ's Passion. The council then reviewed the discernment process and series of meetings held recently which helped determine new members for several parish organizations, including the parish council. As a result of the discernment meetings, Angela Cosma, David Jendraskiewicz and John Tomaszewski will serve on the parish council from July 2010 to June 2013 and will be invited to attend the current council's May and June meetings. Ted reported that, while the meetings were effective, he was disappointed by the turnout and by the format. Fr. Marty agreed to bring his concerns to Anne Verbeke and suggested that the council begin submitting names of potential council members as early as November or December so that all potential council members have ample time to be invited to the following year's discernment meetings.
The council next discussed the first of two forensic study presentations and how those sessions will impact the upcoming CSA campaign. Approximately 60 people attended the first session and raised questions about insurance, communication and the number of parishioners who financially support the parish. The council hopes for a bigger turnout at the next presentation, and those who were unable to attend each session will be able to view the power point presentation shown at each session on the parish's Web site.
Fr. Marty explained that this year's CSA campaign will look similar to the Faith, Families and Future campaign. The diocesan CSA brochure will be mailed the week after Easter as in year's past. The second week after Easter a separate mailing and five-minute DVD will be sent to parishioners who actively give to the parish. The same DVD will be shown at all Masses on the Third Sunday of Easter, and parishioners will be asked to take the next three weeks to discern how much money to give to the expanded CSA campaign. Finally, on the Sixth Sunday of Easter, parishioners will be asked to make a commitment. Meanwhile, the groundwork for several other projects continues to be laid. This summer the school will receive new anti-glare windows and upgrades to its HVAC system, all of which are within the original budget. This coming weekend Fr. Marty and Tom Swanson will attend a cemetery conference at the University of Notre Dame, at which time they plan to inquire about the costs and benefits of constructing a mausoleum on parish property, perhaps on the site of the old church once that structure has been taken down.
Ted reported on a meeting of parish council members from throughout the diocese. Several of our own council members attended and came away impressed with the progress our council has made in comparison to councils of nearby parishes. On a similar note, a council ministry fair will be held April 19 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Consolation. Allen attended last year and explained that it's an opportunity for council members to showcase what is going on in their parishes. He plans on bringing the same brochures our ministries distribute at our ministry each fall and reported that many people from other parishes were impressed with the ministries we offer.
The meeting wrapped up with reports from three commission liaisons. Jeannine and Ted discussed the education and formation commission. They held a meeting in January at which time they passed out checklists to the leaders of ministries in their commissions. Most checklists have been returned, and they are preparing a follow-up meeting in early April. Members of that commission, as well as the council itself, tried to learn more about a group that meets on Tuesday nights and discusses homilies, saints, the readings for the upcoming Sunday and how God is active in their daily lives. Fr. Mick explained that the group, originally formed as a mystagogia group for those who had just completed RCIA, isn't a bible study group, nor is it a catechetical group since no one is formally teaching other members. It currently has approximately ten members but sometimes, for a variety of reasons, just a fraction of the group attends meetings. The council discussed ways the group could increase membership. Jeannine expressed interest in forming a bible study group, and Fr. Marty suggested she discuss her wish with members of her commission. Julie updated the council on the peace and social justice commission and how they are incorporating members of the rebuilding hope ministry. A recent ad in the bulletin sparked interest and a separate phone extension at the parish may help the ministry work more effectively. Finally, Barb distributed a copy of ideas gathered at a recent brainstorming session of the spirituality and worship commission, and the council will consider these ideas and offer feedback at its next meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, April 26, at 7 p.m. in a meeting room of St. Patrick's Hall.
Fr. Marty wished the council a meaningful Holy Week and led the council in the Hail Mary as its closing prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeff Cox |
