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PASTORAL MEETING MINUTES

September

ST. MICHAEL'S PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING
Meeting Date: 9/6/06 Time: 7:00 p.m.
President: Denny Moore, President Recording Secretary: Barbara Riley
DISTRIBUTION AND ATTENDEE LIST:

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

Opening

President Denny Moore opened the meeting.

Martha Brodsky offered the prayer.

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

Pastor's Report

Highlights of Father Mike's report (Appendix B) included:

• Father thanked everyone for their prayers following a recent health issue leading to a cardiac catherization procedure.
• Father Mike praised the commitment of the staff and mentioned that Gary and Mary Fulmer, though their house is on the market, will stay with St. Michaels through the spring.
• Father appreciates the work of the Council and of President Denny Moore.
• The parish is still seeking renters for the parish facilities to continue to bring in income.
• Father submitted the Case Letter for Stewardship for the Council's review.
• Dan Bartolini, Mary Ann Gehle, Nanci Santiago and Noreen Christian have served their terms in the Council and will be leaving.
• Don D'Valle helped Father describe this year's effort to encourage unregistered voter parishioners to register to vote for this year's elections. The Knights of Columbus have had special training to encourage people to exercise faithful citizenship. Noreen Christian suggested that the Bishop's letter on faithful citizenship might be used to aid in the drive.

Information Updates

Present Nominees for Pastoral Council Election - Martha Brodsky

Martha reported that she was unable to recruit the requisite number of nominees for the Council. Denny Moore will check the bylaws to determine how to proceed with the elections in the absence of volunteers. Mary Ann Gehle said that the bylaws call for eight nominees to select 4 members to fill the vacancies. She suggested that the Council start in May, for the upcoming year, to acquire the appropriate number of nominees. Amy Myers suggested that one member per 1000 parishioners is a rule of thumb for determining how many members are necessary. Mary Ann said that there are many models for this process including appointments by the pastor. Kim Myers advised that we should attempt to include more nominees to fill in for anyone who might have to drop off the Council early. Denny Moore will call Charlie Hiebler to get his advice on the problem. Denny thanked Martha for her efforts.

Review Yearly Reports from Committees, Staff & Resources

Denny Moore handed out copies of the 2006 Yearly Reports (Appendix C) to the Council who reviewed the contents

Parish Council Evaluation - Denny Moore

Denny Moore passed out the evaluation to the members. Preparing the survey, Dennis departed slightly from the format that has been used in the past. The results will be communicated at a later meeting.

Round Robin and Parishioner Communication Program

Denny Moore said that the Pastoral Council should be well represented at the Time and Talent weekend and encouraged others to join him. Noreen asked whether the suggestion box still existed. She suggested that perhaps the parishioners might not know it exists. Moving the box to a more visible location was discussed.

Gary Fulmer reported that the old wooden ladder has been replaced.

Kim Myers received questions regarding the backdrop and the Mass schedule.

Kathie Blanchard received mostly good comments regarding the Mass schedule.

Martha Brodsky also received favorable comments about the new schedule.

Gary Fulmer advised the Council that the old hall light switches have been separated. The back hallway has it's own control.

Mary Fulmer is finishing up registration for religious education classes that are very large, this year. She asked for volunteers to become catechists.

Gary Fulmer advised that parents be diligent about personally picking up their children, especially after dark, following classes.

Don D'Valle received a comment from a parishioner who was looking for the Parish Council minutes. The folder in the atrium contained dated minutes. He suggested that the minutes may be found on the Church website.

Noreen Christian commented that she would like to see more awareness of Catholic social teaching. Don D'Valle suggested that a theme be promoted each month in the library. Noreen felt that someone should spearhead this effort. She also felt that if the Council became more aware, it could trickle down to the Parish, as a whole. Ted Burkhardt advised that it is part of the text of the education materials. He relayed a story of a parishioner who asked for information to promote to his children. He suggested that Bev Shaffer, who does an excellent job in this area, could use some assistance.

Mary Ann Gehle complimented Father Mike's stewardship letter. She asked whether the Bardsley's have planned to work on the 2007 Parish Directory. Denny said that he has not approached them about it, but he feels that they do plan to produce the new directory. Dave Daigle reported that he spoke with former parishioners who felt that they didn't connect with St. Michaels. Dave's probing revealed that they were attending a smaller church that appealed to them more. This led to a discussion of the current parish roles at St. Michaels and whether they should be updated.

Ted Burkhardt applauded the efforts of Dan and Susan Woodward to take over the lunch ministry in his absence. He reported that food donations show up at the door. He also said that one family, with young children, are happy about the later Mass times because it's much easier on them to get ready to attend. He thanked Gary for the new bulletin board in the religious ed. hallway. He said that he is very excited about the upcoming year.

Father Mike again complimented the job that Denny Moore is doing, stating that it wasn't easy to follow in the footsteps of former president's Mary Ann Gehle and Don D'Valle. He was very impressed with the Committee Reports. He gave tributes to the Council, as a whole.

Kim Myers complimented the visiting priests and said that the Masses they said were uplifting and enjoyable.

Bob Clark asked for prayers for Tom Gill. He is to be honored at a joint Naval and Air Force ceremony.

The 9/6/2006 meeting was adjourned at 8:50.

Barbara Riley - Pastoral Council Recording Secretary