St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church
6306 Browning Road
Pennsauken, NJ 08109
(856) 662-9338
Pastoral Council Minutes
September, 26, 2007
Meeting called to order at 7:10
Attendees: Fr. Ed Lipinski, Rich McKean, Sr. Ruthann O’Mara, Rhonda Alesczyck, Nancy Halloran, Dennis Rooney, Kathy McKenna, Marcia Miller, Sam Loperfido, Anthony Leone, Rita Vogt, Catherine Broome, Sr. Bernadette Mary Leahy, Rose Davis, Linda Heininger, Betsy McBride, George Tutwiler, Tom Corbett, Joe Scavuzzo
Prayer: To Live with the Spirit
led by: Marcia Miller and Linda Heininger
Administrator’s Report: Fr. Lipinski opened the meeting indicating it was a difficult time for the parish as well as him. As pastor of St. Joseph’s Polish in Camden, he is overseeing a restoration project. He will also preside over their 9am Polish Mass each Sunday. At Bishop Galante’s request, he will be our Administrator through the reconfiguration process (i.e., around one year). He suggested that we let the past be the past and continue the programs and activities of the parish. There will be no elections of new Pastoral Council (PC) members at this time. All are welcome to come to PC meetings. Jim Rotondo will no longer be able to serve as Secretary to the PC. Discussion and vote on officers.
Pastoral Council officers:
President – Rich McKean
VP – Tom Corbett
Secretary – Betsy McBride
Report from Committees:
Discussed the need for direction from Fr. Lipinski on what reports he would like to see:
Finance
Religious Education: RCIA, CCD, School
Liturgy: Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Music, Art and Environment
Buildings and Grounds
Parish Life: Youth, Stonegate, St. Vincent de Paul, Bereavement, Altar and Rosary,
Spiritual Life Committees, etc…
Parish Calendar: In an effort to bring more structure to parish events, it was decided that the PC secretary would create and maintain a calendar of all events held on the parish grounds. Fr. Lipinski asked that Ms. McBride contact all ministry leaders to get their dates of meetings and events as soon as possible. All school, Stonegate, Athletic Assn., and applicable Diocesan dates will be on the calendar.
Parish Ministries: It was discussed that detailed information on all ministries is important for record keeping and for attracting new interested parishioners. The possibility of a Ministry Fair was discussed, as was posters in the lobby of the church. More information to follow.
Regional Reconfiguration Recommendation: Fr. Lipinski reported on the meeting with Bishop Galante on 9/25/07. (information in the 9/30/07 bulletin). St. Peter’s Church allowed to stand alone, St. Cecilia, St. Stephen, and St. Veronica’s recommendation to merge was not affirmed because it lacked a solid data base. It was suggested that the parishes consider working with a 4th parish nearby. Planning Team members will reconvene with the Deanery on October 11 and the Deanery teams will work on the Deanery plan through January 15.
School Report: 226 students, not counting Pre-K.
14 in Pre-K 4
13 in Pre-K 3
Increase in tuition. For additional information, please contact Mrs. Higgins, school Principal
Other items brought for discussion:
It was discussed that the Liturgy Committee should be all-encompassing to include planning for celebration of Feast Days.
There is a need for Annointing of the Sick at the Cooper River Convalescent Nursing Home. Volunteers are also needed for visits to the nursing home on Thursdays. Contact Catherine Broome.
Last year’s Parish wide 50-50 had 40% participation. There is a need to control spending and explore new funding ideas to strengthen our financial affairs. An audit is near completion and will be presented to Finance Council and the Pastor possibly at the next meeting of the Finance Council on October 9, 2007. Information will be shared with all parishioners as soon as possible.
Next Meeting: October 10, 2007 – School Faculty
Lounge
Prayer of the Our Father, led by Fr. Lipinski
Meeting adjourned: 9:00
Respectfully submitted: Betsy McBride