August 2006 PASTORAL MEETING MINUTES

PASTORAL MEETING MINUTES

August

ST. MICHAEL'S PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING
Meeting Date: 8/2/06 Time: 7:00 p.m.
President: Denny Moore, President Recording Secretary: Barbara Riley
DISTRIBUTION AND ATTENDEE LIST:

X Daniel Bartolini
Kathie Blanchard
Martha Brodsky - Excused
X Ted Burkhardt *
X Noreen Christian
Bob Clark - Excused
X Dave Daigle
X Don D'Valle
Anna Esposito *
X Gary Fulmer
X Mary Fulmer
X Mary Ann Gehle
Amy Kulesa *
Jim Kurdziel, Development Chairman *
Julie Landsman
X Jack Lawler, Jr.
Jim Lilley
X Dennis Moore
X Amy Myers *
X Jim Myers *
Kim Myers - excused
X Barbara Riley
Father Mike Ruane - excused
X Nanci Santiago
X Guest: Connie Bly
X Guest: Garr Isacco
X Guest: Carole Eber
X Guest: Tom Christian
* Non-Voting Staff Member or Committee Chair

TONIGHT'S AGENDA AND MINUTES

Opening

President Denny Moore opened the meeting.

The prayer was offered.

The June minutes (Appendix A) were approved as amended.

Pastor's Report

Father Mike was vacationing and did not submit a report.

Information Updates

Review and Approval of the Parish Budget - Connie Bly

Connie Bly and Garr Isacco, of the Finance Committee, presented the 2007 Budget (Appendix B) to the Council for review. Some discussion highlights included:

o A $1.6 million mortgage still exists
o The 2006 budget contains an approximate $56,000 shortfall in 2006 and a deficit of $73,461 for 2007
o A stewardship letter is to be sent in September to parishioners, including those who currently don't use the envelopes
o Of the 1500 registered families in the parish, 600 are non-active. Of the remaining 900, 350 families use the envelopes
o The weekend after Labor Day, an insert will be included in the bulletin that will clarify the costs associated with running a parish.
o The Hoedown garners funds for extra principal payments on the existing mortgage
o The Legacy Fund may be used in future years
o The Council recommended a quarterly review of the budget

A motion to accept the budget was seconded and approved by the Council. Another vote was carried for a quarterly review of the budget.

Form Nominating Committee for September Parish Council Elections

Dan Bartolini, Mary Ann Gehle and Noreen Christian have reached the end of their terms and Denny Moore thanked them for their service. Denny decided that Martha Brodsky would be a good choice to coordinate the election process and volunteered to call her to ask her to fill this role. Noreen Christian offered her assistance to Martha. The elections will be held the third weekend in September. Denny asked that each Council member nominate a candidate during the Round Robin.

Review Yearly Reports from Committees, Staff & Resources - Jack Lawler

Jack Lawler provided the list of Committees who have submitted their reports. A third of the Committees' reports are still lacking. The reports are needed as input to the Parish budget. Noreen questioned whether Committee reports are necessary every year, especially for Committees not impacting the budget. It was decided that annual reports aid in the planning process and ultimately also help the Committee by potentially revealing areas where the Council could assist.

Round Robin and Parishioner Communication Program

Denny Moore reported that there have been approximately 4-6 expressions of concern about the Saturday night Mass change. His communication report was passed out to Council members (Appendix C). Denny expressed to a parishioner an explanation regarding the Mass time decision; that it was not something that was done by a small group of individuals. A personal appeal will be made to the parish to try other Masses to alleviate the crowding at the popular Sunday time. Denny submitted Diane Kvech as a Council candidate.

Jack Lawler asked for prayers for an ailing friend.

Noreen Christian asked about what was happening with the altar backdrop. She submitted Lou Corio's name as a Council candidate.

Jim Myers reported that the downstairs refrigerator problems were linked to an outside pressure switch that was turned off. He advised that leftover food should not be stored in the refrigerator and that undated food will be thrown away.

Amy Myers reported that it has been difficult to obtain artisans for the backdrop. Denny expressed his disappointment that there hasn't been more progress in this area. Amy offered to follow up with Anna Esposito.

Mary Fulmer reminded the Council that every third Sunday the Liturgy of the Word for Children takes place. Approximately 70 children are participating with 50 children taking part over the summer. She announced that she and Gary will be moving and leaving the Parish at the end of the calendar year. Mary's nominee for the Council was Pat Castle.

Don D'Valle said that older parishioners were volunteering activities such as mowing the lawn and wondered why we were paying for this service. Connie Bly responded that it takes 3-5 men 5-6 hours to mow the grounds. It is difficult to coordinate this with volunteers on a long-term basis. Don offered Paul and Terry DiAngelo as his nominees for the Council elections.

Dan Bartolini nominated Tony or Cathy Nelson, Danny Sauro and Joe Shears.

Mary Ann Gehle suggested that Parishioner's contributions to the Communication Program be sent to the appropriate Committees or Mission Areas for their consideration. Jim Myers added that specifics would be helpful rather than general comments. Mary Ann thanked everyone for his or her feedback on the car raffle. She reported that a $50.00 ticket for a car raffle is planned for the next hoedown. This could potentially add another $20,000 to reduce the mortgage.

Nanci Santiago reported that she also has served her 3-year term. She said that April Danchik would be willing to head up the next Parish picnic effort.

Ted Burkhardt nominated Lucia Articola for the Council elections. He reported that 12 adults and 36 high school kids participated in this year's work camp and built 3 houses in 3 and a half days. He thanked everyone who helped with this effort. Mini camp had an attendance of 98 kids.

Dave Daigle reported that the Mass schedule change has resulted in good and bad feedback but overall the response is positive. Dave offered Jim Moser and Matt Gagnon as nominees.

Mary Ann Gehle asked the Council for a round of applause for Mary and Gary Fulmer's many years of service to the Parish.

Closing

Denny led the closing prayer.

The 8/2/2006 meeting was adjourned at 8:45.

Barbara Riley - Pastoral Council Recording Secretary

Action Items Create Date Action Item Status 8/2/06 Jack Lawler will call the committees who have not contacted the Council with reports. 8/2/06 Denny Moore will contribute an item to the newsletter. 8/2/06 Denny Moore will ensure that the budget review becomes a quarterly agenda item Ongoing 8/2/06 Denny Moore will contact Martha Brodsky about coordinating the September 2006 Council elections. Completed 4/5/06 Barbara Riley will call Bob Clark. Completed 3/8/06 Denny Moore will conduct follow up review with Father Mike and ensure that items appear in the newsletter. Completed 3/8/06 Denny Moore will finalize objectives with Father Mike. Completed 3/8/06 Barbara Riley will contact Bob Clark regarding Parish Council service. Completed - Email sent 3/19/06. 2/3/06 Dave Daigle will email Denny Moore with any questions regarding the mass time subcommittee just formed. Completed 12/7/05 Father Mike will talk to the Knights about removing reserved signs on pews that are not occupied by their members during the special Masses that they attend. Completed 11/2/05 Keep a running track of Council questions in a separate Q & A document. Ongoing 11/2/05 Prepare an appreciation card for the Schwarz family for their efforts on the recent Children's Halloween party. Completed 9/7/05 Mary Beth will call Tom Murray to take pictures of the new Council, at the next meeting Completed 8/3/05 Ted Burkhardt and Julie Landsman will confer to discuss how to present the youth services section of the Welcoming Booklet and will give their feedback to George Bardsley Completed 5/4/05 Ask Connie Bly to run a notice in the bulletin to educate the Parishioners as to the cost to the Parish of the Catholic Review. Completed 5/4/05 Add action items back and retain for a year. Completed 3/2/05 Steve Miller will ask for a Knights' vote as to whether they will spearhead Parish Picnic efforts Completed - The Knights will not be able to do this due to the fact that they have other commitments, at that time. 2/3/05 Recruit replacements for Bob and Jamie Prestel for the Welcoming Committee. Completed - 2 volunteers 2/3/05 Recruit volunteers to increase sponsorship of the Parish Newsletter. Completed 2/3/05 Check into arranging a Medivac chopper demo for the Parish Picnic. Completed-Full Police Display arranged. 2/3/05 Solicit recommendations for entertainment for the Parish Picnic. Completed - Picnic Plans suspended. 2/3/05 Examine solutions for the lack of coverage for the Blessed Sacrament exposition Completed - First Fridays 2/3/05 Recruit replacement for Barbara Clagett, Library Board Chairperson Communication Program

Create Date	Item	Submitter	Follow-Up
3-8-06	Expand CCD to teach more	Denny Moore
3-8-06	Edit or delete prayer of the faithful messages that may be offensive.	Denny Moore
3-8-06	Move the tabernacle from the side to the sanctuary.	Denny Moore
3-8-06	Offer coffee and fellowship gatherings after all Masses.	Denny Moore
3-8-06	Update the website more often	Denny Moore
3-8-06	Communicate Mass and religious ed cancellations more effectively.	Denny Moore
3-8-06	Offer preschool in the new wing	Denny Moore
3-8-06	Need a bigger church	Denny Moore
3-8-06	Holy Water requested at the side entrances/exits.	Kim Snyder
2-1-06	Less confusion about First Penance and First Communion.	Denny Moore
2-1-06	Move the tabernacle behind the altar; shows more respect.	Kim Myers
2-1-06	Need kneelers.	Denny Moore, Kim Myers
2-1-06	The atrium is for conversation before and after Mass not for services. Silence should be respected before Mass.	Kim Myers	The 6/3/06 newsletter contained an article encouraging silence before the Mass.
2-1-06	Why should I volunteer when I perceive that I won't make a difference because the Church will continue to operate the way it has in the past	Dave Daigle, Denny Moore
2-1-06	Will the Parish hold a picnic, this year?	Nanci Santiago
2-1-06	Music too dynamic for a funeral.	Don D'Valle
2-1-06	Need more acoustical tiles for the gym	Don D'Valle
2-1-06	Suggestion to include in the announcements a reminder to turn off the cell phones during Mass.	Jim Lilley
2-1-06	Parents should control disruptive children during Mass.	Jim Lilley
2-1-06	Mass at 10:00 is too crowded.	Ted Burkhardt	At the 5/3/06 meeting, a schedule change was approved.
2-1-06	Desire for youth Mass.	Ted Burkhardt
2-1-06	Do a survey for Mass time preferences	Barbara Riley	A committee was formed to study the issue and to propose alternatives.
2-1-06	Couldn't get through when they needed a priest for a family member in the hospital.	Noreen Christian