St. Stanislaus Pastoral Council March 2008 Meeting Highlights

Minutes of Pastoral Council Meetings can be found at http://www.saintstans.net/PastoralCouncil.html

 

l        Council viewed Part II, “A Conversation with Thomas Moore” as part of spiritual development.

l        Council reviewed the need for Pastoral Council Highlights.  Highlights are an unofficial record of the council's meeting presented to the Parish in a timely manner following a meeting.  Meeting minutes are the official record and are approved as such a month following the meeting at which the minutes were recorded.

l        Catholic Education Committee briefly discussed a proposal to “house” the Catholics Coming Home Program at St. Stans while keeping it a Deanery wide program.  Concern was that this might diminish the opportunity for other parishes to participate in the program.  Bob Rogers will meet with the committee to further discuss this issue.  The Council recommended that the Catholic Education committee coordinate Deacon Walker's desire to offer a program on the early church.  Mary Ann Powell continues to update the Catholic Education committee and the Council on the Faith Alive Diocesan Program.

l        Gary Tanko has been named Chairperson of the Family Life Committee.  Preparations for the Easter Vigil Social are organized.  Mass in the Park on June 8, 10:30  needs to be confirmed with the Parks Dept.  Next year's proposed date is June 14.

l        Justice and Peace Committee meets every other month: next meeting is April 8, 6:00pm. Mission Program was proposed by Dave and was also presented to Finance Council on financing for the project.  Finance Council supports the idea, but did not recommend using monies from “We Belong to Christ” campaign until other needs of the Parish are explored.  The Finance Council also did not recommend conducting additional fund raising activities at this time because we promised them no more fund raising activities would take place in our appeal for “We Belong to Christ”.  The Pastoral Council supports the concept of a parish mission and recommended the Justice and Peace Committee further develop the concept.  Further, the Council recommends all committees consider a parish mission project that could possibly be funded with We Belong to Christ monies. A key component of such a proposal would be that opportunities to participate would extend to all parishioners.  Bob Rogers will develop a more specific charge to the committees.

l        Finance Council reports Diocesan Annual Appeal is behind by $7,500; We Belong To Christ has collected $141,000; Winter Carnival was down by $1,100 compared to last year. Families who did not pick up their parish renewal letters will be contacted by phone.  No one will be removed from the Parish Roles unless they request to be removed.

l        Bob Rogers submitted written suggestions to the Stevens Point Deanery Pastoral Council regarding the role of the Stevens Point Deanery Pastoral Council in promoting communication among parishes: sponsor and coordinate programs difficult or not suited for individual parishes to undertake; promote individual parish programs that are effective in involving small groups of people ... like Faith Alive; maintain a deanery wide parish activity calendar; sponsor and coordinate deanery wide theme retreats (at St. Anthony's for example)

l        Fr. Al made surprise visit to the meeting and told us he will be gradually assuming his duties April 1.  Fr. Lynch will continue to administrate and Fr. Stanczyk will help with Masses.

l        Committees need to submit meeting and event dates for next year's Parish Calendar

l        Next newsletter will be in September and will focus on stewardship.  A ministry fair may also be included as part of the stewardship theme.  Committees are asked to follow up on contacting those who signed up during last year's fair and to give Linda an updated list of all current committee members.

l        The Church will be open from 8am to 2:30pm weekdays and 9am to 5:30pm Sundays.

l        Council memberships were discussed.  Members serve 3 year terms.  A member can serve two consecutive three year terms.  All current members are eligible for renewal.

l         Jim Kropidlowski will coordinate a Sunday Pancake Breakfast after Easter.

l        First meeting of Catholics Coming Home to be held March 12, 7-8:30 at 2501 Main Str. Anyone interested is welcome.  Follow up meetings may occur on the next two following Wednesdays.

l        Ladick's donated have the cost of removing snow from the parking lot which we appreciate.

l        Next meeting, April 8, 2008.  Prayer Leader: Jeanne Retzke.  Spiritual Development: Thomas Moore, Part 3.