Preliminary

Prior to our meeting, the following committees emailed their reports to me.  I collected the reports and distributed them to everyone on council one week prior to our meeting. 

Publicity & Community Events/-submitted by Blair Learn & Carol Johnson
Children's Religious Education-submitted by Joan Parker
Social Action Committee-submitted by Ed Walls 
Vocations Committee-submitted by Bill & Connie Peters
Evangelization Committee -submitted by Frank Blee 
Youth Ministry- submitted by Pat Bentley

These reports can also be viewed at (click here)

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

Building & Grounds Report-submitted by Ray Ring & Ted Karmilovich
Family Life- Submitted by Ted & Joann Malecki
Liturgical Committee-submitted by Ted Nell

The following committees submitted their reports after the due date (first Monday of the month).  These reports were not emailed to the council members.  However they can still be viewed at our website.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Pastoral Parish Council

MINUTES

October 13, 2003

 The Meeting:

·        Meeting called to order at 7:00pm

·        Opening prayer Bob Senese

·        Attending: Kevin Walls , Bob Senese , Ray Ring , Blair Learn, Frank Blee, Ed Walls, Mr. Rev. Bill Peters & Connie Peters, Pat Bentley, & Mr. Rev. Joe Becker

·        Absent:  Matt Macready , Joan Parker , Ted Nell , Joann Malecki & Ted Malecki, Fr. Bob, & Fr. Carlton

·        No correspondence was reported

Last Month’s Minutes:

            Changes: none

            Motion to approve minutes:  Bill motioned and Rita seconded

            Motions were accepted & minutes were approved

Committee/Group Reports:

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

§         Publicity & Community Events Committee

§         Children’s Religious Education

§         Evangelization Committee

§         Social Action Committee

§         Vocations Committee

§         Youth Ministry

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

§         Building & Grounds Report

§         Family Life

§         Liturgical Committee

Discussion of Committee/Group Reports:

Evangelization Committee: 

Frank showed a short video outlining four easy to follow steps that would make any church appear more hospitable and welcoming to its community.  The 4 steps involved:
            1. Signs
            2.  Community
            3.  Diversity
            4.  Neighborhood

Besides the items outlined in his report, we also talked about:

§         Setting up a table at the Christmas bazaar

§         Following up with names of people after they received the Sacraments (i.e. Baptism, & Matrimony) and encouraging them to worship instead of drift away

§         Kevin asked if the wasted space of time between dropping off children and picking them up at CCD could be utilized by this committee

Old Business: 

1. Parrish Mission :  this year’s theme, “Your personal relationship with Jesus” 
1. a presentation for the children is also being developed
2. the hall will be decorated like last year
2. Trips:

a.       Radio City Trip:  12 of the 49 tickets have been sold.  Tickets are now opened to all.

b.      “Daniel” trip went well, financially it broke even and was enjoyed by all

c.       “Producers” is still on for January

d.      an Easter show, “Behold the Lamb” is tentatively scheduled for the Saturday before Holy Week

e.       Family Day at Roesh’s farm is this week, and it is a trip with no finance risks

C.     Parishioner Welcoming Party was well attended and presumed a success

New Business: 

A.     Fr. Rich Hogan will speak Sunday October 19 2-4 pm .  He will speak on Marriage and Family.  It was regretted that his speech coincides with the crop walk, but no other time was available.

B.     With less than 2 weeks to plan, it was announced that Sunday October 26 is Priesthood Sunday.  At this time, we are asked to offer our affirmation of the Priesthood of Christ, our support for those who serve His Priesthood on earth and our involvement in improving the relationship between priests and the faithful.  To accomplish this:

a.       Pat will create a flyer for this week’s bulletin explaining the day and petitioning parishioners to make spiritual commitments in honor of our priests.  These completed petitions can then be returned to church.

b.      Bill will contact Marge about including an intention in that Sunday’s Offertory Prayers

c.       Pat (& Joan ?) will encourage some children to create special cards for the event, which I believe will be presented to Father at one of the masses

d.      Members from different ministries will ask to speak at the end of each mass before the blessing.  Scheduled to speak are:

                                                               i.      5:00 mass:  Bob Senese

                                                             ii.      7:00 mass:  Tom Vogler (unconfirmed)

                                                            iii.      8:30   mass:  Rosemary (unconfirmed) or Joe Becker

                                                           iv.      10:00 mass:  (I believe several children)

                                                             v.      11:30 mass:  Pat Bentley

e.       Ray will also contact Pat McCoullough regarding the use of the hospitality committee.  Hopefully, they will be able to serve coffee and donuts after each mass.

C.     The parish extended a gift to seminarian Kevin Mohan to be used for his studies at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Open Forum

A.     Youth Sunday is October 26.  Pat thought it would be a great idea if Father could give every youth a blessing at each mass.  It was decided that this was a great idea and should be conducted after the homily.

B.     Kevin (as a new comer to the council) questioned several of the procedures and ways that the council operates.  Kevin probably voiced what the council felt, but were simply ignoring.  For instance:

a.       After reading the minutes for the past year, he observed that there was never any true closure to many items.  They would be discussed and never brought up again.

b.      One of the council’s minutes stated that we were going to further evaluate the idea of supporting a seminarian, and this month it was announced that a contribution was already made

c.       We have bylaws, but the did not seem to be followed when he was appointed to the vice president’s position.

d.      Does the average parishioner even know we have a parish council?

Many of the council reminded Kevin that we are just an advisory council and no matter what closure or decisions we make, it really is not an absolute final decision.

Still in an effort to tie up lose ends, Kevin wanted to go over last year’s minutes, present his findings at next month’s meeting, and resolve any unfinished business

 Next meeting

Monday November 10

Time 7:00 pm

Pat will lead us in prayer

Respectfully submitted by:
Bob Senese
Secretary