Pastoral Council Minutes

September 27, 2006

Members Present: Rhonda Alexzczyk, Nancy Halloran, Linda Heininger, Betsy McBride, Richard McKean, Kathy McKenna, Marcia Miller, Jim Rotondo, Gary Sapienza, George Tutwiler, Dana Veneziani, Sr. Bernadette Leahy, SSJ, Fr. Stan Witcoskie.

Also present: Parishioner Jack Heininger.

Absent: Mrs. Pat Higgins (at Principal’s Meeting).

Opening Scripture Reading and Reflection: Father Stan.

Old Business:

• A “By-Laws & Mission Statement” committee comprised of Betsy, Kathy, Marcia and Rich will meet October 5 to create new by-laws, mission statement and goals for the Pastoral Council based partly on the results of the Sept. 28^th Diocesan Planning Session.
• Status of Parish Spiritual Life Committees: Letters were sent to the Committee Chairpersons who will meet with Sister Ruthann on Oct. 11 and share a Nov. 4^th retreat.

Reports:

School:

• Enrollment this year is 201 (K-8) and 30 Pre-K for a total of 231. Of the 231 students, 168 are from registered families of the parish, 5 from St. Veronica’s, 34 from other Catholic parishes, and 24 students are non-Catholic.
• 5-year Strategic Plan: Developed by teachers and staff, our academic goal is to adapt the curriculum to reflect the multicultural nature of the community. Our student body is currently 72% White, 15% Hispanic, 7% African-American, 1% Asian. 5% not listed.

Finance: Parish Finance Administrator George Tutwiler presented a Church Budget Comparison worksheet (will also be a bulletin insert October 1^st) comparing the 2005-06 budget to the new 2006-07 budget. Our only capital expense was the repairs and re-paving to the parking lot. Of the $85,000 expense, $40,000 was provided by Stonegate.

Stonegate: Progressing well, applications may go out in October, occupancy expected within 3-4 months. Rectory driveway paving still delayed due to water basin issues.

New Business:

• The “Roles & Duties of Pastoral Council” were discussed. In addition to listening to Parishioner concerns and compiling goals based on the Sept. 28^th Diocesan Planning Session, it was suggested that a Directory be made for the bulletin & website that would list contact information for those individuals in charge of specific areas of the ministry, i.e. parish grounds, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Music, etc… This would create a chain of communication that would essentially solve problems confidentially.
• Diocesan Planning Session – September 28, 2006. Bishop Galante has declared specific dates and timeframes for the projected changes to come and has suggested a 20-25 member committee be established in each parish with a 2-year commitment from members. Parishes will unite and combine strengths with a “grassroots” effort and the doors are officially open for the empowerment of the Laity to determine our future.

(continued on other side)

• Property Maintenance - We received an estimate from a Grounds Service company to improve our parish grounds. A decrease in volunteers was noted and Finance Administrator George Tutwiler will assess the affordability of this service.
• Betsy McBride presented a detailed description of the “Journey to Bethlehem” Living Nativity to held on our parish grounds December 9^th & 10^th.
• We are looking to purchase and install 2 new Defibulators for the Church & School.
• New Eucharistic Minister training will be held on October 14^th from 10am-11:30am in the Church. The Sunday 4:30pm Mass will return on October 15, 2006.
• Marcia Miller will provide information in the lobby of the Church for “National Donor Sabbath”, to be held November 10-12.
• It was suggested we install a matching railing for the right side of the Altar.

George will contact the original creator of the left railing.

• It was suggested we post the schedules of EM’s, Lectors & Altar Servers in the bulletin.

Bulletin Editor Jim Rotondo will begin posting these in the October 8^th bulletin.

Next Pastoral Council Meeting: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 @ 7:00pm in the Rectory.

The meeting was closed with the Our Father and a prayer by Father Stan.

Respectfully submitted by Jim Rotondo