June 2006 PASTORAL MEETING MINUTES

PASTORAL MEETING MINUTES

June 2006

ST. MICHAEL'S PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING
Meeting Date: 6/7/06 Time: 7:00 p.m.
President: Denny Moore, President Recording Secretary: Barbara Riley
DISTRIBUTION AND ATTENDEE LIST:

Pastoral Council Meeting
June 7, 2006
Minutes

The minutes from the May meeting were approved

Father Mike gave a verbal report. He began by thanking the executive board for their leadership this year and also recognized the work of our staff, committees and organizations.

He has received a letter from Jim Kurdziel stating that he is resigning from his position as the chairman for the Parish Development Committee. He will be retiring and moving to Virginia after selling his house here. The council members expressed their appreciation for his dedication and work in organizing this area of the parish and wish him well as he faces the challenges of moving. He has recommended a replacement.

The budget is coming up and the committees should be submitting their budget requests to Connie if they have not already.

Bishop Malooly's mother had a stroke at the age of 92. She made a chasuble and stole for Fr. Mike's first Mass.

Joyce Riley, the daughter of Pat Falise died suddenly and prayers are requested for the family.

Communication Program

Dennis Moore passed out a new sheet of parish communication feedback from his conversations with parishioners. (See attached)

Kim Myers reported feedback on the wonderful backdrop for Easter, great responses on the Hoe Down and also that the earlier Mass on Saturday may draw more families.

Dan Bartolini reported that there are a variety of activities offered at the parish. Someone felt that too many people were asking for money from outside of the parish.

Bob Clark - more traditional hymns, more genuflecting

Nancy Santiago - positive comments about family activities, some were suspicious of the new Mass schedule.

Charlie Hiebler (guest) - He complimented Fr. Mike on being a wonderful pastor. He congratulated the parish leadership on willingness to take on challenging issues; he encouraged an ongoing planning program for the parish to plan for the future. There is a shortage of priests as we know meaning fewer Masses will be said, if the church is less than 50% full, some parishes question keeping that Mass. Catholic social teaching encourages conservation of our resources and is it worth heating or cooling an entire church when a Mass is not well attended? These are some questions to ask when scheduling Masses.

Tony Nelson and Joe Shears attended to express their displeasure at the change in the Saturday evening Mass time. Tony felt 5:00 is too early for people who have to work on Saturday. Dave Daigle went over the process the council when through to determine the new schedule. He explained that a survey was not taken because no consensus would be gained. The main reason was overcrowding at the 10:00 Mass, we will try this for one year and reassess. The council was appreciative to Tony and Joe for attending and voicing their concern.

Don D'Valle - pews are needed and desired; someone questioned what the council does, what is the purpose of the council.

Dave Daigle - need more active people, new people are not welcomed when they do offer to help, this is consistent feedback Dave says, the parish is not receptive to new ideas, the parish should offer more "fun" activities, more upbeat music, more activities especially for the youth and young families.

Kathy Blanchard - one person liked the new Mass schedule

Jim Lilley - received negative feedback, did not elaborate.

Ted Burkhardt - positive feedback on the Mass schedule, negative feedback on the lack of athletic fields. The athletic association may look into the area for softball, soccer practice, etc., or for more parking.

Jack Lawler - positive feedback on the Sunday Mass schedule, negative on the Saturday Mass change.

The rest of the evening was spent listening to a power point presentation by Charlie Hiebler, our liaison to the AOB Office on Planning and Council Services. He handed out a blue folder with information on the parish planning process and how to do it. (See attached) The parish should set objectives and goals, monitor progress and thereby plan for the future.