St. Stanislaus Parish

Pastoral Council Meeting Minutes

April 8, 2008 ~ 7:00 pm

1.        Call to Meeting: Chairman Bob Rogers called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.

 

Present: Fr. Al Jakubowski, Bob Rogers, Lori Stoltz, Nancy Chinn-O’Reilly, Gene Van Ryzin, Jeanne Retzke, Linda Stroik, Gene LaRose, Teri Jenkins, Gary Tanko, Mary Ann Powell, Lee Falkavage, Shirley Berger (SPACS Commission Representative)

 

Absent/Excused: Penny Wachowiak

 

2.       Opening Prayer: Jeanne Retzke

3.       Spiritual Development: Conversation with Thomas Moore, Part 3, 20 minute video and discussion led by Bob Rogers.

4.       Agenda Repair: Agenda approved as presented

5.       Approval of Minutes of Pastoral Council Meeting March 11, 2008: Minutes stand as presented.

6.       Committee Reports:

a.       Catholic Education: Nancy Chinn-O’Reilly

Ø       This committee has agreed to “house” the Catholics Coming Home program here at St. Stan’s as presented by Bob Rogers. Bob had approached this committee with this request as the program had previously been sponsored at a deanery level and its future is uncertain due to changes in the Deanery Coordinator position this past year.

Ø       Discussion regarding Mission Project for St. Stanislaus Parish and committee in agreement that parish should focus on some needs closer to home.

Ø       Sunday Programs between masses discussed and suggestions given for topics: Faithful Citizenship, AMEN Program, Deacon Hugh as speaker.

Ø       St. Nick Breakfast: suggestion that ownership of this project be taken over by Family Life Committee as it had been in the past.

Ø       JoAnn Liss has written a BEET Grant for an informational newsletter to go out to parents from birth through 3 yrs old.

Ø       Discussion regarding WBC surplus and committee in agreement that surplus be SAVED.

Ø       Catholic Education Committee expressing need for a budget. Fr. Al suggested that some committee members sit down with Bev to discuss establishing a budget.

b.       Family Life: Gary Tanko

Ø       Reception held for Fr. Al last weekend went very well.

Ø       Easter Vigil reception went very well also. Gary mentioned that leftover food is always an issue as the food tends to be of the sort that cannot be put in a freezer. Gary looking for suggestions as to where to donate this food in future.  Suggestions given by Council: the convent, Salvation Army.

Ø       Mass in the Park will take place on June 8th @ 10:30, Iverson Park.

c.       Justice & Peace: Gene Van Ryzin

Ø       Committee will be coordinating their final meal of the season at the Place of Peace, possibly in June.

Ø       Dates established for Justice & Peace Food Collection weekends and donation sites.

Ø       Discussion regarding J&P having their own page/link on St. Stanislaus’ website. Benefits of this would be having pictures available and posting links on justice & peace issues.

Ø       Committee is planning a Personal Care Shower collection in May to benefit the HIV/AIDS Program.

d.      Sacred Worship: Jeanne Retzke

Ø       Barb Rogers has agreed to take on role of chairing this committee.

Ø       Evaluation of Lenten and Easter liturgies done by committee and consensus that things went “relatively well.”

Ø       Discussion regarding this year’s Parish Mission with Tom Jacobs not being as effective as years past.

Ø       A new procedure was tried for the blessing of palms on Palm Sunday this year. Committee was not pleased with outcome and will look at new approach for next year.

7.       Finance Council Report: Gene LaRose

Ø       Winter Carnival Total profit down approximately $3,200 from last year.

Ø       Council reports that parish revenue was more than expenses for January 2008. Total weekly giving is down $16,684 from this time last year.

8.       Deanery Report: Bob Rogers

Ø       Gary Tanko will attend Deanery meeting this Thursday, April 10, 2008 in Bob’s absence.

Ø       Fr. Marty Pable will be giving a one-day training seminar, Saturday, May 3rd at St. James Parish in Amherst entitled “How to Share Your Faith (Without Being Obnoxious).” All deanery parishes are invited to participate.

9.       Pastor/Staff Report: Fr. Al

Ø       We Belong to Christ Campaign ~ the Diocese is expecting us to do some stewardship education for the parish related to this campaign. We will need to look at utilizing some Sundays to complete this obligation.

10.    Council Chair Report/Announcements: Bob Rogers

Ø       Jeanne Retzke and Lori Stoltz have announced that they will be resigning from the Council at the end of their term this year.

Ø       Suggestion presented to meet at St. Anthony’s Retreat Center for the first Parish Council meeting next year in August. Council members asked to consider this and let Bob know their preference.

11.     Unfinished Business: Bob Rogers

Ø       Parish Nurse Program: Penny has contacted Fr. Al and provided him with some written information and a videotape related to this program. Penny and Fr. Al will meet to discuss further.

Ø       Mass Counts: No new information

Ø       Catholics Coming Home Program: Bob gave update on program turn out for this year. The first week there were two people in attendance, the second week no one came, and the third week there were two people in attendance. Bob did mention that he felt that lack of advertising this year was probably a factor.

Ø       Parish Mission: Justice  & Peace Committee will make recommendations, endorse this program and take leadership role.

12.    New Business:

Ø       Cell Phone Use: (Bob Rogers) Discussion regarding reminder for all parishioners to turn off cell phones upon entering church. There have been some instances of cell phones going off during mass. Suggestion to put reminder in bulletin.

Ø       Purchase of “Little Books of the Diocese of Saginaw”: Gene LaRose gave short presentation to Council on these books and suggested purchasing them to have available for parishioners as aids for daily prayer. The books cost $.70 when ordered in bulk. Council approved ordering the books for next year, Gene to take care of ordering and cost.

Ø       Sunday Programs: (Dave Fletcher) This topic deferred to next meeting as Dave Fletcher not in attendance tonight.

Ø       Parish Membership Renewal Contacts: Linda Stroik made telephone contacts with those parishioners who have not yet responded. List has been handed off to the parish staff who will follow up with one more mailing to those who have requested another form be sent, and removal of names from roster who have indicated that they no longer wish to be parish members.

13.    Closing Prayer: Jeanne Retzke

14.    Meeting Adjourned: 9:00 pm

 

NEXT MEETING DATE: MAY 13, 2008 ~ 7:00 PM

Prayer Leader: Lori Stoltz

Spiritual Development Leader: Bob Rogers, topic to be announced