St. Stanislaus Parish

Pastoral Council Meeting Minutes

March 11, 2008 - 7:00 pm

Present:  Bob Rogers, Gene LaRose, Gary Tanko, Gene Van Ryzin, Dave Fletcher, Teri Jenkins, Nancy Chinn O’Reilly, Mary Ann Powell, Lori Stoltz, Lee Falkavage, Fr.Al, Linda Stroik, Jeanne Retzke  

Excused:  Penny Wachowiak

Guests: Shirley Berger

 

1.      Meeting called to order by Chair Bob Rogers at 7:00pm

2.      Opening Prayer:  Gene Van Ryzin

3.      Spiritual Development:  “A Conversation with Thomas Moore”, Part II.  Members viewed a video presentation, in continuation from February’s meeting.

4.      Agenda Repair: 

a.      Council Chair Announcements:  Review Pastoral Council Membership

b.      Staff Report:  Dave had several additional items to report.

5.      Approval of Minutes from February’s Pastoral Council Meeting: 

a.      Reviewed the purpose of the Pastoral Council Highlights.  Highlights are a condensed version of the activities of the Council meetings that are made available to members of the parish in a timely fashion.  Highlights are not the official transcript of the business of the Council.  The official transcript is recorded in the minutes which are approved at the next meeting of the council. Highlights have been distributed as a bulletin insert within a week or two following the Council’s monthly meeting.  Council Highlights and Approved Minutes are both posted on St. Stan’s website as soon as they become available.

b.      Minutes were approved at as presented.

6.      Catholic Education:

a.      Committee met in February but attendance was low; did not meet in March due to Parish Mission.

b.      Catholic’s Coming Home was discussed briefly at the February meeting, but tabled until the April meeting since majority of members weren’t present.  Initial concerns about the program were if St. Stan’s coordinates this, does it diminish the opportunity for a collaborative effort of all parishes in our Deanery taking part in conducting the program? Bob Rogers would likeoffered to attend the April Catholic Education meeting so these topics can be addressed.

c.      Deacon Hugh Walker has volunteered to give a presentation about the early church.  This will be in conjunction with the Sunday programs that the Council is suggesting, during the time between the two masses. The Council recommends that the Catholic Education Committee coordinate this activity with Deacon Hugh.

d.      Mary Ann Powell is continuing the Faith Alive Program.  The diocese is regularly emailing her with suggestions for the group.

7.      Family Life:

a.      Gary Tanko has been named the chairperson.

b.      Holy Week preparations for the Easter Vigil Social have been organized.

c.      Mass in the Park:  Gary will confirm with the Parks Dept. that June 8th has been reserved at Iverson Park for the 10:30 mass.  Next year’s proposed date for Mass in the Park will be June 14, 2009.   This date can be reserved one year in advance.

8.      Justice and Peace:

a.      Meet every other month, next meeting is in April 8th at 6:00 pm.

b.      Mission Program presented by Dave.

i.        Dave approached Finance Council about possible funding for the trip.  Could funds come from the “We Belong to Christ” Campaign since we raised money beyond our goal?  Finance council supports the idea, but did not approve using the campaign money, as we need to determine the needs of the parish first…such as for seniors of our parish.

ii.      Fundraising for the trip:  Lee is willing to donate cinnamon rolls to sell as one type of funding. SpeghettiSpaghetti dinners or pancake breakfasts are another idea, ; could the profit be split to support the parish expenses and this mission? The Finance Council does not approve recommend conducting fund-raisers at this time based onbecause:  1.  Envelope giving typically goes down when asking for money for a special projects/events.  2.  We promised our parishioners there will be no more fund-raisers this year when we approached them about the “We Belong to Christ” Campaign.

iii.     Costs of the trip for those who have committed to taking part in the project are about $2,000.  There are also the costs for building.  Both these expenses can be covered by the individuals attending.  Could revenue be generated from other areas such as grants?

iv.    Council supports the concept of a parish mission or outreach program and recommended suggested that Justice & Peace Committee should define what is the mission that our parish should adopt, and present general ideas or suggestions. Realizing that the development of ideas such as these will take time in educating parishioners; it is suggested we start with a letter, not asking for money, but just an invitation if people want to get involved, such as asking for prayers.

c.      “We Belong to Christ” Campaign:  The subject of unallocated money from the Campaign was discussed.  How will the money that was raised above & beyond our goal be distributed?  Council suggests that all committees discuss what they believe is an important mission in the church.  The finance council will ultimately determine the dollar figures, but ideas and philosophies from all committees should be considered.  Bob Rogers will draft a format charge and send it via email to committee chairs.

9.      Sacred Worship:  Did not meet.

10.  Finance:

a.      Diocesan Annual Appeal is behind by $7,500; with $4,000 in pledges.

b.      “We Belong to Christ” Campaign has collected $141,000.

c.      Winter Carnival was down $1,100 from last year’s profit.  Bad weather was a factor.

d.      Letter to families who didn’t pick up their registration:  28% of the 280 letters sent were returned.  A total of 654 families responded out of 1,140 families, 55%.  It was emphasized that since we stated that we would follow up with those not returned, how will that be done?  Council does not believe these parishioners should be put on an “inactive” list; and communication via newsletters, etc should continue to be sent in the hopes that contact is a connection that will be recognized at some point from the families.  Unless families indicate to us that they no longer wish to be in the parish, all families will be considered active.  Council members will make calls to contact these families. Members interested in helping make the phone calls should contact Dave.

e.      3-4% increase in staff salaries approved by Finance Committee.  Comp. Time was also defined.

11.  Deanery Report:

a.      Met February 14th, Bob Rogers unable to make it but sent written information to be shared.  (Copy attached to minutes)

b.      Discussed at the meeting were:  the role of council members, the role of deanery reps, & the mission statement dating back to May ’98 which the Dean would like reviewed.

12.  Pastor/Staff Report:

a.      Fr. Al’s surprised us in attending tonight’s meeting!  Fr. AL is coming back April 1st, but will gradually take over his duties.  Fr. Dennis Lynch will continue to administrate, Fr. Dennis Stanczyk will take one mass on the weekends and help out at weekday masses.

b.      Parish Calendar for next year is being created.  All committees are asked to submit dates of meetings, special events to Sara by mid-April.

c.      Newsletter-next distribution will be in Sept. ember and will Focus on “We Belong to Christ”/stewardship theme. 

d.      The “We Belong to Christ Campaign” included a 5 week presentation that all parishes were to present.  St. Stan’s did not do that yet, & but plans on showing it in conjunction with the Bishop’s Annual Appeal in the fall/early Sept. A video, homilies directed to this subject, & and speakers to focus on time/talent and treasure will be focused on during the 5 weekends.  Council members were asked to consider speaking.   

e.      Ministry Fair:  If it is planned to do annually, this can also be scheduled during the 5 week “We belong To Christ” Campaign.   Dave wanted members to follow up with their committees to be certain that anyone who volunteered at last year’s ministry fair have been contacted.  Linda asked that committee’s give her a list of all current members.

f.       St. Stan’s Church is open during the day from 8 am-2:30/3 pm weekdays and 9 am – 5:30 pm Saturday’s.  Dave would like to put a short message in the bulletin letting parishioners know this, as some parishioners are not aware of this and would like to visit the church during the day.  Council discussed safety and security issues.  The Council recommend that Dave proceed with placing the times the Church is open for prayer in the bulletin

, and recommends if there is someone present at the rectory during the day, the church can be open.

13.  Council Chair Report

a.      Council Memberships.  None of the current members have terms that will expire.  Members who have replaced someone on the committee serve for the remaining term for that person, after that is fulfilled, the members begin their own term for 3 years.  Bob Rogers will update a master list indicating when each member’s term is up.

b.      Lori Stoltz indicated she is considering resigning from the Council & will give a decision next month.

14.  Unfinished Business:

a.      Sunday Programs:  Jim Kropidlowski will coordinate a Pancake Breakfast; Lee Falkavage will assist as sub-committee.  Date will be chosen after Easter.  Dave has the list of other ideas/recommendations for future reference.

b.      Parish Nurse Program:  Decided this will be discussed in further detail when Fr. AL has returned.

c.      Mass Count:  No new information has become available.

d.      Catholic’s Coming Home:  March 12th, 7 – 8:30 pm at the Old Rice Clinic building.  This is the first meeting, anyone interested is welcome, and you are encouraged to invite them.  Followup meetings the following two weeks have been scheduled.  Program was advertised via cards inserted in the bulletin; the website; newspaper.

e.      Parking:  Ladick’s removed 23 loads of snow and stacked up the snowhills so there is more room for parking. Ladick’s donated half the cost of the loads removed.  Suggest they be recognized in the bulletin with an official thank you.

15.  New Business:

a.  April’s agenda should include discussion of stewardship program in the fall.None

16.  Closing Prayer – Gene Van Ryzin

17.  Meeting Adjourned 9:10pm

Next Meeting Date: April 8, 2008

Prayer Leader: Jeanne Retzke

Spiritual Development Leader: Bob Rogers – Thomas Moore Part 3 (last segment)

 

Dear Fr. Potaczek:
Unfortunately, I will not make tonight's Deanery meeting.  I am leaving for Florida very early tomorrow morning and there are several loose ends I need to tie up before I leave.

I do have some information that I would like to share with the Council:

>From St. Stans:

Fr. Al is on the road to recovery and is in good spirits.  If all goes well he expects to be back at St. Stans in April.

Catholics Coming Home program sponsored by Deanery:
Initial meeting set for March 12 with follow up meeting on March 19.  Time 7-8:30pm.  Location 2501 Main St.  East Entrance (former Rice Clinic complex).  The location is tentative but I will know tomorrow if it is approved.  Room is also reserved for March 26 if a third meeting is needed.  Please have anyone interested who might like to serve as a facilitator to get in touch with me.  Also spread the word in individual parishes that if someone knows someone who has been away from the Catholic community be may be receptive to an invitation to rejoin .. please invite that person to attend the first meeting.

I have asked St. Stans if they would like to be home to Catholics Coming Home in the future.  This is simply to have a place to coordinate the program.  However, the program still would be offered Deanery wide.  I expect a recommendation from them mid March

Catholic Journey event at St. Maximillion's went well - about 75-100 people in attendence. Fr. Dan would like to do it again next year.

Thoughts on Deanery Pastoral Council

Deanery should sponsored and coordinate programs that are difficult or not suitable for individual parishes to undertake.  Be great to invite someone from the Vatican to have a program in Portage County (for example).

There is something to be said for individual parish programs because some people like to work in smaller groups .. like the Faith Alive program.

Deanery should maintain a calendar of events of area churches so that parishes can plan individual events that minimize conflicts with other parishes and and at the same time inform parishioners in the Deanery of programs being offered throughout the Deanery.

Deanery wide activity that is suitable might be sponsoring and coordinating  retreats - say at St. Anthony's.

Regards,

Bob Rogers