Pastoral Council Minutes - November 29, 2006

Members Present: Nancy Halloran, Betsy McBride, Richard McKean, Kathy McKenna,

Marcia Miller, Jim Rotondo, Gary Sapienza, George Tutwiler, Sr. Bernadette Leahy, SSJ,

Sr. Ruthann O’Mara, SSJ, Father Stan Witcoskie. Absent: Pat Higgins, Dana Veneziani.

Opening Prayer: Rich McKean.

Old Business:

· By-Laws Committee progress: A previous Book of Pastoral Council Minutes was contributed by Keith Knight to Rich McKean and will be evaluated for possible by-laws.

Reports:

School: All school parents will attend an Internet Safety presentation by Pennsauken Police on December 6. Attendance is mandatory as only 5 parents attended the same presentation last month. Our K-8 school census is now 205 with the addition of 3 new students. The school’s Drama Club will present “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on December 13^th and the school Christmas Show will be held on December 20^th.

Finance: George reported that 5 months into the fiscal year our Ordinary Income is down $10,000. The General Fundraising Committee will meet December 4^th to discuss events such as a Casino Trip and a Ballroom Dance Contest. We will also have a Poinsettia Sale the weekends of December 9/10 and December 16/17 to raise funds. The next Finance Committee meeting will be December 13.

Stonegate: George announced that the long-awaited applications for Stonegate Senior Housing will be available on December 4^th and must be submitted by December 21^st to be considered eligible for the January 10, 2007 lottery drawing. Details on obtaining applications are posted in our parish bulletin. Occupation of Stonegate may be in early February and the complex will be dedicated by Bishop Galante on May 2, 2007.

Journey to Bethlehem: Betsy reported that this event has been widely publicized throughout the Diocese, community and neighboring churches, both Catholic and non-Catholic. The committee is thrilled with the involvement of parishioners and ministries, outdoor lighting is being fine-tuned and a dress rehearsal will be held on December 2^nd at 5:30pm.

Spiritual Life Committee: Sr. Ruthann reported that the November 4^th retreat was well-attended (50+ members) and a huge success. 9 Committees compiled their Goals and Action Plans for the year and Sister will present those to the Council at our next meeting in January. The next meeting for the Spiritual Life Committee Chairpersons will be January 11, 2007.

Pastor’s Report:

• Pastoral Council members, Lay Trustees and the rectory staff will be introduced to Bishop Galante at Father Stan’s Installation Mass on December 3^rd.
• A Workshop will be planned for Pastoral Council members and be facilitated by a Sister of St. Joseph outside of the parish. This group dynamic meeting will entail formulating a 3-5 year plan, parishioner interaction, specific task responsibilities, negotiating for decision-making and enhancing the structure and exact function of the Council.

New Business

• Parish Planning Committee: While this committee is still being assembled, the Diocesan Assembly Delegates for our parish are Denise Caruso and Jack Heininger, who will attend the Diocesan Planning Meeting at St. Mary’s in Williamstown on December 9^th. They will present our parish’s 3 greatest strengths and challenges at that meeting.

Next Pastoral Council Meeting: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 @ 7:00pm in the Rectory.

The meeting was closed by a prayer by Rich McKean . Respectfully submitted by Jim Rotondo.