Pastoral Parish Council

MINUTES

May 12, 2003

 The Meeting:
·        Meeting called to order at 7:00pm
·        Opening prayer Deacon Bill Peters
·        Attending:  Matt Macready , Bob Senese, Ray Ring , Joan Parker , Carol Johnson/ Blair Learn , Frank Blee, Joann Malecki, Rita Ryor, Mr. Rev. Bill Peters/Connie Peters, Pat Bentley, Fr. Bob, & Fr. Carlton
·        Absent:  Bob Wenz, Ed Walls/Mary Graziano, & Mr. Rev. Joe Becker
·        No correspondence was reported

Last Month’s Minutes:

            Under new business section, part A, it was questioned what was the “last change in the liturgy” that still needed to be implemented.  Unfortunately, no one had any idea what I was trying to say there.

            Motion to approve minutes:  Deacon Bill

            Motion was accepted & minutes were approved  

Committee/Group Reports:

Prior to our meeting, the following reports were submitted and distributed to council:

§         Religious Education
§         Evangelization Committee
§         Social Action Committee
§         Vocations Committee

The following committees did not submit a report for this month:

§         Building & Grounds Report
§         Community Events/Publicity
§         Family Life
§         Liturgical Committee
§         Youth Committee

Discussion of Committee/Group Reports:

Family Life noted that they recently completed a Pre-Cana session for 5 engaged couples.  Joanne also noted that they were going to request some newer updated material, and possibly look into a refresher course for the lead couples.  The next Pre-Cana session is scheduled for October 19 & 26, and so far at least four couples are scheduled to attend.

Old Business: 

Parish Trips/Socials:

§         Momma Mia is sold out

§         Due to a recent death, the donuts-after-the-masses social idea has been put on hold.  It will be brought up again in the fall.

House of Charity:

§         Although we are currently at 98%, once the United Way kicks in their contributions, it is estimated that we will once again go over our goal. 

§         This year’s totals are down slightly from last year’s totals.  It was then stated that we definitely should not solicit the church’s congregation any further for more money.  These people have already examined their finances and have given what they can.  With that said it was again mentioned that it is always a small percentage of the total parish that financially supports the parish.  This includes weekly collections.  That brought up the fact that there may be parishioner’s who do not attend mass, but would consider contributing to the parish if a method to contribute (other than envelops) was made available.  Fr. Bob & Frank will discuss this concept at the next Finance Committee meeting.

New Business: 

Parish Plan:

Six members of council met on April 4^th and created a summary report noting key facts about our parish:    In short some of the key facts listed were:
    o       6500 registered parishioners
    o       300 total families
    o       600 children in Religious Education
      o       175 enrolled in Catholic School
          o       Age & racial break downs were also estimated

          In the Profile/Vision section of the report:
     o       7 strengths were noted
     o       4 weaknesses/limitations of the parish were noted
     o       A forecast 10 years into the future predicting parish staff, parishioners, property, and demographics.

         Finally, 31 parish committees/ministries were listed and described

A copy of last year’s parish plan, with its eight goals was also present. Those goals are:

1.      Implement an effective Religious Education program

2.      Create and offer meaningful and spiritually enriching liturgical services

3.      Offer spiritual, financial and material support to the poor, the homeless, and the marginal people of South Jersey

4.      Proclaim and carry the “Good News of Jesus Christ” to all people residing within the parish boundaries

5.      Manage all parish finances in order to fund parish activities and to meet all parish financial obligations.

6.      Continue to implement an effective Parish Pastoral Council

7.      Maintain an effective Youth Group

8.      Maintain an effective Vocations Committee.