Pastoral Council Minutes
April 16, 2007 

Attending:  Rose Braun, Fr. Mark Burger, Steve Gross, Tim Reed, Barb Utrata, Tim Harmon, Ann Perry, Jerry Koehne, Fr. Linh Nguyen, Claudia Miller, Jane Mueninghoff, Steve Meinhardt, Denise Kick, Louise Moyer, Mike Dailey, Lori Schneider (scribe).

Observers/Guests: Dave Leugers, Pat Sphar, Debbie Meinhardt, and Mike Purcell

Preliminaries:   The Council meeting opened with the Pastoral Council prayer at 7:00 pm.

The reflection was led by Steve Meinhardt.  Rose Braun will lead the reflection next month.

Agenda Items:

1)    Approval of minutes from March 5th meeting – all

Meeting minutes were approved with no objections.

2)    Pastoral Musician – Michael Dailey

Michael Dailey, Music Director reported on the state of the music ministry.

a)    Overview of Activities and Current Topics (by ministry component)

1.     Musical

Michael reported on the ensemble participation.  Currently 19 cantors are on the roster, with 2 more in development.  The adult choir has 27 members on the roster with an occasional 40% to normal 85% regular attendance record.  The youth choir has 20 members on the roster with a 90-100% attendance record for rehearsals and Mass.  The 11:30 am instrumental ensemble is the fastest growing.  It has quickly grown from 2 members to its current 20 members on the roster.  It has a 75-100% regular attendance record. The 5:00 pm ensemble has 10 members on the roster and will be doing a coffee house in October.  Michael will soon be recruiting for the Handbell choir.

Michael also reported on the prayer life within the music ministry.  He reported that they pray regularly during normal rehearsals.  Cantor rehearsals are handled slightly differently because they are organized toward specific individuals and everyone does not arrive/depart as a group making a group prayer more difficult.

Michael reported on the concert series.  There are 6 concerts on the roster for this year.  He reported that attendance has been low at the concerts and requested feedback on how to improve attendance.  Upcoming concerts include the Cincinnati Boychoir on Friday, April 20, @ 7:30 pm and Innovators and Synthesizers on May 20.  He is working on concerts for next year which may include an organ recital with Matt Phelps.  In time, he expects concert attendance to build. Future plans include trying to bring in a large scale performer like a contemporary Christian singer, if issues with scheduling and costs can be handled.

2.     Liturgical

Michael reported that he has a wide variety of repertoire that is both traditional and contemporary.  He also reported that 8 different Mass settings are used through the year.  One of his goals is to have music and song books for everyone in the ministry.  He would like to expand on the contemporary repertoire as well as the traditional.  Michael also assists in youth liturgies (typically handled by Theresa DeBrunner) and music for faith formation (Generations of Faith, PSR, Loreto).

3.     Pastoral

Michael reported that he produces 2-4 worship aids per weekend, depending on the musical requirements for each Mass.  Also, Fr. Mark’s retreats and homilies are regularly recorded and copied on CD’s and cassettes for availability to anyone.  He is working to upgrade the equipment to allow recording and uploading to the internet on-site.

b)    Issues/Needs/Challenges

Michael reported that the biggest challenge that the music ministry faces is self confidence.  Other challenges include attendance.  He requested we pray for unity within the ministry.

c)     Feedback

Jerry Koehne commended the performance of parish youth musicians at the Easter Liturgies, as compared with paid musicians used in the past.  Council thanked Michael and encouraged him to continue his excellent efforts.

3)    Pastoral Council 2007 Election Update – Rose Braun

A number of parishioners have been nominated to run for Pastoral Council.  There will be two meetings to allow the nominees to ask questions regarding the ministry.  These meetings will be Saturday, April 21, @ 10 am and Tuesday, April 24, @ 7:00 pm. Next steps include collecting biographies and photos of all the nominees wishing to run for election.  To date, one nominee has confirmed to run.  The remaining nominees are still undecided or have not yet responded.  Elections will take place on May 19 and May 20.  At the May 7th Council meeting we will need volunteers to help count votes after election Masses. 

4)    Taste of Ministry [April 21/22] – Steve Gross

The Taste of Ministry is this weekend, April 21 and 22 following all Masses.  Bruce created a Pastoral Council ministry flyer which we will pass out along with a parish provided carrying bag, while welcoming parishioners into the tent.  Steve reported that he has volunteers for the 8:00 Mass, however needs volunteers for the remaining Masses.  Pastoral Council members volunteered as follows:

5:00 pm Mass – Ann Perry and Tim Reed

8:00 am Mass – Bruce Simeone and Claudia Miller

9:30 am Mass – Jerry Koehne and Steve Gross

11:30 am Mass – Barb Utrata and Rose Braun

Rose Braun volunteered to provide the treat or “taste” that will be passed out at the Taste of Ministry.

5)    Update on Relief Effort for Hurricane Katrina Impacted Family – Tim Harmon

Tim provided an update on the Hurricane Katrina family (Mom, Dad, and 7 children).  Insurance money has paid for the home to be gutted, re-wired, and re-plumbed.  The home has passed building inspections and is now ready to have the drywall installed.  However, the insurance money has run out.  The Katrina Committee will be meeting next Wednesday, April 25, @ 7:00 p.m. to discuss next steps.  These include the possibility of assisting with the building/reconstruction, ongoing bills, and/or providing furnishings for the home.

6)    Saints John/Max/{Michael ?}/Susanna Cluster Meeting Reminder

The meeting at St. Max scheduled for April 18 7:00 pm has been postponed until May 30.

7)    Reflection Volunteer for June 4, 2007 Meeting -

Claudia Miller volunteered to provide the reflection at the June meeting.

8)    Fr. Mark’s Comments

a)    Pastoral Council representative(s) to Finance Committee

Fr. Mark is looking for Pastoral Council members who might be interested in also serving on the Finance Committee.  The Finance Committee consists of members that are appointed by Fr. Mark.  The Finance Committee meets monthly (on Tuesday) and strategic planning is currently taking place.   He is looking for members that may have a finance or business background.  Please contact Fr. Mark if you are interested.

Fr. Mark reported that the next payment toward the parish debt will bring the balance below $1,000,000.   He also reported that the diocese will probably be auditing each parish.

b)    Other Items

Fr. Mark has been asked to do 5 confirmations due to Bishop Moeddel being ill.  He also reported that Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk will be presiding at St. John’s confirmation on Memorial Day weekend.

Fr. Mark reported on all of the songs to be sung at the Cincinnati Boychoir concert this Friday, April 20, @ 7:00 p.m.

Fr. Mark has been asked by Rep. Bill Coley, a parishioner, to provide the opening prayer at the Ohio House of Representatives.

9)    Questions and Notes:

David Leugers inquired regarding the workload of the Pastoral Council members.  Is most of the work done by only a few members?  It was expressed that all members equally participate in the ministry.

David Leugers also asked how many members are on Pastoral Council?  It was explained that there are 15 members and 5 are elected each year.  Each member serves a 3 year term.

Kathy Guenther will report on her ministry at the next Pastoral Council meeting on May 7.

Louise reported that Fr. Ray’s trees have been planted.  Two trees have been planted in his honor near the entrance of the church.  Plaques for the trees have been ordered.

10)           Adjournment and Closing Prayer of Thanksgiving

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 7, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in Undercroft D – Reflection by Rose Braun.