St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church
Pastoral Council Minutes
February 20, 2008
Meeting called to order at 8:00
Attendees: (Members) Rich McKean, Kathy McKenna, Betsy McBride, Marcia Miller; (Ex-Officio) Sr. Ruthann O’Mara, Sr. Bernadette Mary Leahy, Deacon Ernie Picknally, George Tutwiler. Pat Higgins; (Parishioners) Mary Ann Meloni
Absent: (Excused) Rhonda Alesczyzk, Joey Scavuzzo, Kathy Boyer; (unexcused) Tom Corbett, Nivia CiFuentes
Prayer: led by Rich McKean as provided by Fr. Vince
President’s Report: Rich McKean
We did not have a quorum for voting purposes. We are in receipt of the resignation of Gary Sapienza from Pastoral Council. Unless there is objection, the resignation will be accepted. Members are asked to submit three names via email to the president in order to fill the vacancy with an interim council member. Hopefully, a selection can be made via email, so the parishioner can be contacted and able to attend the March Pastoral Council meeting. Elections will be delayed this year while we await the Bishop’s decision on reconfiguration. Briefly discussed lack of attendance at meetings. President will call those who have unexcused absences. A thank you letter for Fr. Ed Lipinski will be prepared and sent (with copy to the Bishop). There was discussion of the January 18 letter to the president of Pastoral Council by the president of the School Board and the response from Rita Vogt, president of Finance Council. While the School Board letter had been read at the January PC meeting, discussion was tabled. While Rita Vogt had responded to the letter in question, a copy was not read into the record. Fr. Vince had seen neither letter. Father Vince indicated that he must see all communication between councils and that he was upset by any communication with diocesan offices before attempts are made to resolve issues within the Parish. He mentioned the need for a joint meeting of the councils (school, finance and pastoral). There was a brief discussion of editorial control over the bulletin and website. Fr. Vince indicated he would review all bulletins as well as inserts therein. No inserts are to be in the bulletin without Administrator approval. He will also discuss updates to the website with our designer, Jim Rotondo.
Parish Planning Update: No report. All await Bishop’s decision.
Finance Report: Rita Vogt, president of Parish Finance Council was
unable to attend. George Tutwiler was
asked to discuss the tension between the school and the parish concerning
finances. He indicated that the School
Board requested that he and the principal contact the diocesan finance
officers, Tom Ardecki and Ed LoCasale, when they became concerned about
requests for information by the Parish Finance Council. George Tutwiler is now handling the books
for the school, with help from a payroll company. Father Vince informed us that all school finances are overseen by
the Parish Administrator. He also
stated that St. Stephens has been getting mixed signals from diocesan offices
and, once cleared up, things should run much more smoothly. Parish Finance Council will review the
parish and school budgets, due to the diocese by February 28. We were told things are beginning to turn
around financially and we have begun to pay back some of our debt to the
diocese, now at $120,000. Fr. Vince
gave a copy of his letter to George Tutwiler, merging the office
responsibilities of Jim Rotondo and the Business Administrator, effective March
1, 2008. George was thanked for his
efforts and for his continued support of St. Stephens.
Liturgy Committee Report: Mary Ann Meloni
Committee met on February 16. Lenten program of 2/19 and 2/26 was discussed. Music ministry schedule will now be in the sacristy. Arrangements for Confirmation were completed. Since World Marriage day was 2/17, a blessing was arranged and prayer cards were distributed. Rick Taylor asked to arrange a Soup Night and short vesper service at 6:30 on Good Friday. He is looking for volunteers. Committee discussed the need for a Ministry Fair and suggested to Pastoral Council a date of May 18. It was suggested that Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers have a general meeting at least once a year to receive updates on any changes to liturgical year. All ministries associated with Liturgy were asked to submit proposed budgets for 2008-2009 fiscal year no later than May 15, 2008. Next scheduled meeting is March 9, 2008, at 11:30 in the rectory.
Buildings and Grounds: Joey Scavuzzo – not in attendance – sent in report
Church circle bench placement will take place when weather improves. Artist’s rendering of proposed rehabilitated playground and park being released early March. Suggestions from renderings will be accepted and processed in late March. Next report due at March Pastoral Council meeting.
School Report: Pat Higgins – Principal
Registration is going well. Have 190 already. Now offering a full day Pre-K program, which is filled. After school program has 20-25 children, depending on daily needs.
Parish Life/Spiritual Life: Sr. Ruthann O’Mara
Youth Group Canned Food Drive for South Jersey Food Bank to begin March 9-10 and go through Easter.
Religious Education Report: no report
Parish Calendar: Betsy McBride
House of Charity dates are needed. Marcia Miller will contact Betsy.
Use of lobby needs to be on the calendar as well. Rich and Betsy will incorporate that into PC message for bulletin.
Administrator’s Report:
Father Vince told us meetings need to be a unified effort to address issues in the Parish. He is reintroducing the Saturday 4:30 Mass, keeping the Youth Mass as the 3rd week of the month. Also introducing a Saturday morning Mass, for those who enjoy daily mass, but can’t come during the week. This Mass will not satisfy parishioners’ Sunday obligation. He asked that we continue to tell people to bring their concerns to him.
Announcements:
Gothic Stations –Good Friday
Monte Carlo Night – March 1
Next meeting March 19 (since changed to March 24)
Closing prayer led by Father Vince
Meeting adjourned: 9:00
Respectfully submitted: Betsy McBride