Pastoral Council Minutes

August 4, 2008

Attending: Rose Braun, Fr. Mark Burger, Tate Cooper, Chris Gebhart, Kevin Kohls, Brian Krause, Tom Kroger, Debbie Meinhardt, Claudia Miller, Ray Sousa, Barb Utrata. Visitor(s): Kathy Guenther

Preliminaries: The Council Meeting opened with the Pastoral Council Prayer at 7:00 p.m. Barb Utrata led the reflection.

Agenda Items:

1. Approval of minutes from May meeting – all. The May minutes were approved as written.
   
   
2. Faith Formation – Kathy Guenther
   1. Overview of Activities and Current Topics. Kathy reviewed the faith formation program at St. John. The Early Childhood program (9:30 mass and vacation bible camp) is coordinated by Jodi Krusling, Grades 1-8 have a variety of learning opportunities including Generations of Faith (GOF) events, Loreto and home study programs. Loreto home study is coordinated by Joan Egan. Kathy also oversees sacramental preparation for Eucharist and Reconciliation, Breakfast in Bethlehem (assisted by the KofC), whole parish faith formation GOF and Catechist training. Oct 20/21 GOF will be presented by Vallimar Jansen.
      
      
   2. Issues/Needs/Challenges – The greatest challenge faced by Kathy is volunteers. Typically they recruit from the parents of children enrolled in the programs. Training is provided for volunteers.
      
      
   3. Feedback – Rose suggested an evening for people to learn more about what it means to volunteer in this ministry, to show the type of training and support provided and perhaps encourage more people to volunteer who may be interested but feel intimidated.
      
      
3. Annual Items - All
   
   
   1. Council roster – a copy of the roster was distributed for review. Fr. Mark asked that Fr. Don’s information be included he is interested in participating with Council but was unable to attend the 8/4 meeting. A copy is attached with the changes received to date, please make a final review and email any “final” changes to Rose by 8/22/08.
      
      
   2. Bylaw annual review – copies of the bylaws were distributed for everyone to review prior to our next meeting (a current copy is attached). Please forward any recommended changes to Rose so that they may be presented at our next meeting.
      
      
   3. Pastoral Council Covenants – copies of the covenant were distributed and reviewed. Fr. Mark shared with the group that the existence of pastoral councils are part of Canon Law within the Diocese and the parish level. We will catch up those members not in attendance at the next meeting.
      
      
   4. Upcoming meeting items – September facilitator/co-facilitator discernment. This will occur on Tuesday, September 2 in the Chapel, led by Fr. Mark.
      
      
   5. 2008 – 2009 Calendar planning – a copy of the schedule for the current council year was distributed (a current copy is attached), we are looking for people to volunteer to lead the opening reflection and closing prayer of Thanksgiving at our meetings this year as well as provide information on our pastoral guests and other activities that are associated with specific meetings. Also, we discussed the annual retreat – council members have expressed an interest in holding a retreat this year (January). Please email to Rose your available Saturdays in January and to sign up for other events/needs listed on the calendar.
      
      
4. New Parishioner Welcome Program - All
   
   
   1. During the annual calendar discussion we looked at scheduling the quarterly new parishioner event, Cindy Muron asked that other options be discussed at our meeting. She has experienced different programs within other parishes. Also a consideration may be the expense based upon current fuel prices. Other parish communities set aside specific weekends or masses to recognize new parishioners, which may include calling the new family to collect some info that is then shared with the congregation at the mass they most commonly attend, they stand up and are recognized. It was the general consensus of our discussion that this is not typically comfortable for people, sometimes even long time parishioners.

We also discussed other welcome events that our parish has tried over the last few years. The Welcome Committee tried special tours for new families along with having representatives of different ministries available to discuss their program and answer questions, donut Sundays. Once again, these are not well attended or don’t meet the intended goal. Many times there would be more ministry representatives than new members or people grab a donut and run out the door.

The consensus of the group was to continue our current program. The bread deliveries have been very well received by new members and council members (as well as other parishioners) have enjoyed this as a means to meet our new families. We will ask the office to begin adding a welcome message for new families to the end of Mass announcements. This will keep the parish informed of our growth. Rose will contact the office to request this addition to the announcements.

1. Fr. Mark’s Comments
   
   
   1. Festival – thank you for working the festival, it was another great success.
      
      
   2. “Pastoral Administrator” Position – the group of mega parishes that are now considering this type of a position has grown to 13, a meeting is scheduled with this group later this week. We will be updated and info is available.
      
      
   3. Liturgical Language – you may have seen or heard about proposed changes to the liturgical language coming from Rome. The changes would be to a more literal translation from Latin. The Bishops will keep parishes informed on when and what to change but it is not anticipated that these changes will occur quickly (like not for at least 3 years).
      
      
2. Adjournment and Closing Prayer of Thanksgiving – Rose Braun
   
   

Next Meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel.

v Reflection by Rose Braun

v Prayer of Thanksgiving by TBD