Church of St. Catherine Parish Pastoral Council

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Meeting Minutes

 

Members present:  Gregg Gropel, George Langford, Patty Evans, Fr. Tom, Pat Saum, Dan Nath   

Members excused:  Mike Jarchow, Deb Goebel, John Serie. Guests:  Mary McLaughlin         

 

The meeting was called to order by President, George Langford and began with a prayer from Fr. Tom.   The meeting minutes of March 12, 2008, were approved.  A motion was made by Dan to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Steve.  Motion carried.  The minutes were approved.

 

The agenda was approved with a motion from Patty and seconded by Pat.

 

Old Business

A)   Bishop HarringtonÕs Pastoral Letter  - Vocations pg 57 in ÒProclaim JesusÓ (Fr. Tom)–

We discussed the initiative on vocations. We are targeting 6th and 10th grade students for vocations.  In school, 9th grade students do a career ÒpacketÓ to help determine aptitudes, interests, skills, etc.

We need to encourage more use of our administrative staff to allow priests more time for their ministry. 

The next council meeting initiative topic will be youth ministry.

B)   Video Camera and TV for Sunday Mass Broadcasts (Dan and Pat) – Pat will visit a church on May 8 that currently uses video equipment for their services.

Approximate equipment and costs: camcorder without auto shutoff, $300, tri-pod, $50-$60, adapter, $40, cable, $30, TV, $1,200-$1,400, video tapes

C)   Direct Deposit – (Mary) Finance Council recommended a commitment from a certain percentage of parishioners prior to adopting direct deposit.  Mary and Fr. Tom thought it would be a good idea to start with those that are currently requesting it to work through the process.  Mary doesnÕt think there will be a charge to St. Catherine from MinnWest regardless of participation.

D)   Pastoral Council Elections May 10-11 – (Gregg and Dan)

Candidates are Greg Aubert, Patrice Hohn, Deb VanBelle, Jeff Wieneke

Gregg, John and Dan are in charge of the ballots.  They will count the ballots on Monday and notify winners.

 

New Business

A)   Rock County Fair Booth: July 31-August 2 – (Fr. Tom)

We will go ahead with a booth for the fair.

B)   Yearly Assessment: How are we doing?   Fr. Tom will facilitate input from the council on ideas for parish life.

 

  1. George brought up the Adoration Chapel hours and that several people have multiple hours. Suggested a drive for more adorers, possibly this fall and consider a guest speaker to talk about Adoration.
  2. Fr. Tom suggested a going away gift for John and Ahne Serie for all of their hard work in establishing the Adoration Chapel.
  3. Mary reported that our payments to the Diocese on the building project are being made but weÕll be about $100,000 short due to pledges moving, non-payment, etc. Some parishioners are continuing to pay and additional amount past their pledge.
  4. Steve recommended looking into some of the music needs once the building project is complete.
  5. Patty asked that the carpet needs be addressed as well before we canÕt match it to the gathering space.
  6. George suggested again, a music board for the east side of the church

 

Reports

A)   Liturgy (Dan and Fr. Tom) – Bishop complimented the decor in the church, the music and liturgy.  Music liturgy will be winding down through the summer.

B)    Faith Formation (Dan) – VBS is ready to go, per Katie Baustian.  Just need a few more volunteers.  Next year she would like another TV/DVD combo. (This may be taken care of with the video camera project.)

C)    Knights of Columbus - Next Tuesday the KC's are doing landscaping at the cemetery.  They are in need for a new Grand Knight.  

D)   LCCW (Patty) – June 19 will be the Cold Salad and Hot Dish luncheon.  June 29 is the Parish Picnic.  Norma Stewart will be our new president but are still seeking a Vice President.

E)    Finance Council (Mary) – Minutes enclosed.

F)    Social Ministry Committee (Fr. Tom) – Minutes enclosed.  Currently planning for Relay for Life on June 13 and 14. 

G)   PastorÕs Report – (Fr. Tom) The Fall Festival will be October 12, 2008 with Jim & Michelle Curtis and Mike and Andrea Smith co-chairing the event.  The pork donation has already been offered.  We will continue with the cash raffle. 

Parish Green by the rectory has a new altar table donated by Those Blasted Things.  The plan is to make an outdoor altar for outdoor masses. 

H)   Administrator – (Mary) The lighting project is complete.  Mary helped St. MaryÕs with some fundraising for their bell tower project by speaking at their mass.  Mary also reported on the building and grounds committee projects and the current progress. 

 

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 7:00 pm.  Fr. Tom led us in our closing prayer. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted, Deborah Goebel, Secretary