St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church
6306 Browning Road
Pennsauken, NJ 08109
(856) 662-9338
Pastoral Council Minutes
October 25, 2007
Meeting called to order at 7:05
Attendees:
(Members) Rich McKean, Kathy McKenna, Sr. Bernadette Mary Leahy, Rhonda Alesczyck, Gary Sapienza, Marcia Miller, Tom Corbett, Kathleen Boyer, Sr. Ruthann O’Mara, Betsy McBride, Joey Scavuzzo, Fr. Ed Lipinski
(Ex-Officio) Sr. Ruthann O’Mara, Sr. Bernadette Mary Leahy, George Tutwiler
(Parishioners) Rita Vogt, Mary Ann Meloni, Rose Davis, Keith Knight, Dennis Rooney
Prayer: led by Betsy McBride
Administrator’s Report: Fr. Ed missed the last meeting so asked that the minutes be read. Minutes of the October 10, 2007 meeting were read and approved. He welcomed Fr. Vince Orum and bid farewell to Fr. Fleming with prayers and best wishes.
Finance Report: George Tutwiler
End of year report in the bulletin. Parish meeting to discuss finances scheduled for after 10:30 Mass on November 4, 2007 in the school gym. Ordinary income was down $500 over the summer. Ordinary income is where it should be. We owe the Diocese $140,000 which is down by $30,000 over the last two years. The yard sale earned us $14,000, $5000 of which was put into a reserve. The spending of the reserve funds will need to go before Finance Council before spent. We do not yet have the audit report from the Diocese or the outside auditor.
Parish Planning Team Report: George Tutwiler
There were eight different regional merger plans proposed to the Diocesan Planning Commission. Two were tossed. Queen of Heaven will not consider a merger with St. Cecilia, St. Stephen and St. Veronica. They are working with other parishes. The Deanery planning teams were divided into committees: Priests, Finance, Facilities and Demographics/Parish Life. Tery Mattera will not be attending Deanery Meetings. St. Stephen’s team is George Tutwiler, Craig Otto, Denise Caruso, and Fr. Ed. (3 laity members and one priest per Parish). Next meeting scheduled for 11/6 at St. Stephen. Asked what the goal was, Mr. Tutwiler indicated that the planning members from the 14 parishes in the Deanery would decide on all the merger models, present them to the Bishop and the Planning Commission. We should see results by May 2008. Asked how St. Stephen’s stands financially within the Deanery, Mr. Tutwiler said we are 4th in ordinary income and 3rd in total income, but we have a large debt (no savings). We owe the second largest amount of money to the Diocese. Filling the pews is an issue for all parishes. With a merger, and the same number of Masses, we could fill the church to 80% capacity, currently we are at 25% capacity.
President’s Report: Rich McKean
Welcome to our new Pastoral Council member, Katherine Boyer. We are sad to lose Linda Heininger. Review of current list of PC members. Organization Chart review in process (Rich, Rita Vogt). By-Laws revision researched by Kathy McKenna will use framework of St. Jude’s by-laws. Review will be done by Rhonda Aleszczyk, Sr. Ruthann, Rich McKean, Sr. Bernadette, and Kathy Boyer.
On Reports to Pastoral Council: The President requests reports ahead of time so meeting can move more quickly. Send reports to the president or secretary.
Religious Education
Report:
CCD report will be requested of CRE Adeline Gramlich
Liturgy Committee Report: Mary Ann Meloni
Effort will be to coordinate between Arts and Environment,
Music, Altar Servers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers to achieve one effort, one
direction. Advent Concert being
planned.
Buildings and Grounds: Joey Scavuzzo
Clean up prior to Deanery meeting scheduled for October 27. Discussed lighting on timers within the church for nighttime view. Building a committee to help with repair and maintenance of grounds.
Parish Life/Spiritual Life: Sr. Ruthann O’Mara
Spiritual Life committees met October 21. Brief descriptions of committees and chairperson list available from Sr. Ruthann. Eucharistic Devotion chairperson will have a sign up schedule for Holy Thursday. Requested an evening Mass on First Friday. Fr. Ed will consider it and get back to Sr. Ruthann. Parish Retreat team is discussing a Saturday retreat with the 4:30 Mass to end the retreat. Vocations team arranged for a speaker at the school on November 14. Young Adult Ministry team has bulletin message to build committee and plan activities for those aged 18-35. Youth Ministry team lost two volunteers (Rochelle Sapienza and Paula Midili, needs new volunteers. Justice team works on Stations of the Cross for Peace and Justice.
Parish Calendar: Betsy McBride
All going well. Weekly activities in bulletin working well. Reminder about contact person for calendar changes or additions.
Next meeting November 28, 2007. Will skip December meeting.
Closing prayer led by Fr. Ed Lipinski
Meeting adjourned: 9:00
Respectfully submitted: Betsy McBride