St. Timothy Pastoral Council Minutes

August 7, 2007

Present:  Fr. Rick Bolte, Fr. Jacob, Dave Shefchik, Jim Sholar, Jerry Beatrice, Mark Dornoff, Marin Smith,  Al Kovacic, Rick Harvey, John Gould, and Randy Herbert.  

Absent:  Steve Lemberg.

1. The opening prayer was offered by Randy Herbert, and the June meeting minutes were approved. 

2. The first order of business was the resignation of Mary Brzinski from the Pastoral Council.  She sent a letter dated July 13 to the members of the executive committee announcing her resignation for personal reasons.  Jerry Beatrice assumed the chair, and Rick Harvey was elected as the vice-chair.  Steve Lemberg was appointed a permanent member.  Jerry will send a letter on behalf of the entire council thanking Mary for her service as a member and chairperson.

3. Pillar Reports

1. John Gould presented the final finance committee report for FY 2007.  Budgeted income shortfalls were offset by expense savings for a net excess instead of the projected deficit.  Most of the savings came from lower than expected expenses for St. Paul School.

2. Al Kovacic had no report from the Worship Committee.  Their next meeting is scheduled for August 15.

3. Jim Sholar gave the Outreach Committee report.  Jerry Beatrice had been appointed to be the Outreach representative, but in a negotiated change, Jim has the job back.  The parish night at the Florence Freedom baseball game was unfortunately rained out.  Parish participation in the yard sale was a great success, with our goals met and even exceeded.

4. Marin Smith reported on the Faith Formation activities for the month.  The PSR program is using all available rooms on the scheduled days. Sessions to begin on September 17.  VIRTUS training for teachers and other parish volunteers is scheduled for September 22.  The next Tapping Into Theology session will be August 13.

5. There was no Community report for this month, but Rick Harvey did say we still need a lot of volunteers for Oktoberfest.  The Blacktop Dance is scheduled for August 18, and the parish dinner dance is scheduled for February 2.

4. Jim Sholar presented a spreadsheet showing steady growth for the parish with 42 families net gain for the first six months of 2007.  There was a net gain of 33 families for the same period last year.

5. Discussion of the roles and goals of the ad hoc committee for the next DPAA project followed.  Dave Shefchik will be in charge, and he will be looking into ideas for a permanent sign, and a cross for the top of the church building.

6. Mark Dornoff and four members of his committee met in July to consider designs for the stained glass windows.  The PC formally and unanimously approved the supplier Mark recommended, which is Cathedral Crafts from Minnesota.

7. Pastor's Report

1. The pre-school rooms have been painted, and Charlotte with a few volunteers is in the process of painting murals on the walls.  People are already lining up to enter their children when the school opens in the fall of 2008.

2. The All Parish Planning Day is scheduled for August 25.  Fr. Bolte gave a review of last year’s planning day and the results.  Discussion for this year’s day centered on our need for added space for the parish.  Mark Dornoff will give a short presentation at the meeting to attempt to determine parish interest in and commitment to new construction.

3. Katie Barton is the new music director as of August 1.  She is wonderfully talented, and the entire parish is excited to have her.  The PC also expressed gratitude for those talented volunteers who filled in to provide music in the interim.

4. The idea of having a youth representative on the council was re-opened.  The consensus was that if a youth representative was necessary, it would be best to have that report first, then dismiss that person from the rest of the meeting.  Marin Smith will present the idea to Charlotte for her input.

8. Jerry Beatrice contacted the person in charge of bingo for St. Henry Parish, and arranged a meeting with him to discuss the feasibility for our parish.  He will have further information next month. 

9. The next PC meeting will be September 4.  Steve Lemberg volunteered to offer the opening prayer, and Jim Sholar will offer the closing prayer. 

10. Al Kovacic offered the closing prayer, and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Randy Herbert

Parish Council Secretary

PILLAR REPORTS

FORMATION
Submitted by Chris Bruewer

PSR and Sunday Morning Youth

Our PSR Program has reached capacity for grades 1 through 6, and near-capacity in grades 7 and 8, in the space we have available.  While we still have room in individual classes for students, there is no option of opening additional classrooms.  Monday and Wednesday room-usage is at maximum.  On Sundays, the Center is occupied by Sunday Preschool and 1 class per time slot (8am and 10am) for each grade 1-8.  Should the number of students continue to increase at the current rate, within the next couple of years we will need to look at new time slots.  There are no more available classrooms during our existing days/times.

Here are important dates for the coming year – subject to change due to unforeseen conflicts

Opening Session
For Mon.classes:  Sept.17
For Wed. classes:Sept.19
For Sun.classes:  Sept. 23

Catechist Formation
In-services: Aug.29, Oct.17, Jan.23

Yahweh Cafes
- For Mon. Nov.12, Feb.11     

- For Wed. Nov.14, Feb.13

Virtus Training: Sept.22 in the Parish Center

SPS Pray and Plays: Oct.14, Nov.11, Feb.10

Reconciliation
-Retreat: Nov.18

-Sacrament: Dec.12

Confirmation
-Sponsor Night: Nov.19

-Candidate Presentation Mass: Dec.2

-Retreat: Jan.6 (Snow date: Jan.13)

-Practice:Jan.22

-Confirmation Sacrament: Jan.24

First Communion

-Retreat: March 9

-First Communion Pictures & Practice- April 16

-First Communion Sacrament - April 19

Closing/May Crowning
-  For Terrific Two’s and SPS: May 4

-  For Grades 1-8: May 7

STYM

Numbers have been down during the summer months.  We expect numbers to go back up with the Kick-Off on September 8, at which time incoming Freshmen will be welcomed.  As part of our Youth Ministry, Charlotte is starting an all girls prayer group.  The first meeting took place on Sunday, August 5, from 5-6 p.m. This is for high school girls currently entering grades 10 through 12.  Freshmen will be invited after the Fall Kick-Off.  

Adult Faith Formation

Father Bolte will be offering a Tapping into Theology on August 13.  The topic will be The Book of Revelation.  In September, Dr. Brennan Hill will do a presentation about Ghandi on September 10 and one on Mother Theresa on September 24.  Dottie Due will be having another Come Saturday Morning mini-retreat on October 6.  Our ability to advertise via e-mail has been disconnected.  I am looking into why.  Ken Fountain provides funding for this service and I have put in a call to him to ask if he will trouble-shout for us and get us reconnected.

OUTREACH
Meeting Minutes-  July 12
Submitted by Lesley Duggan

Attendance: (11)

Marty & Geri Herbert, Mike Keller, Charlene Melihercik, Jerry Beatrice, John Benton, Crystal Pohlman, Carol Harvey, Jim Sholar, Lois Lambers, Lesley Duggan

1. Lesley and John gave a report on the success of the mission trip to Mississippi.  A total of 42 parishioners went.  Much work was done including carpentry, roofing, mucking, painting, drywall, hanging siding, electrical, and installing insulation. A presentation, similar to that of Ted and Mona’s, will be put together for the parish to thank them for their support.  A date is yet to be determined. 

2. John gave a report on Benton Farm/City Heights Fishing day – All went very well.  Sister Ellen brought out 77 residents from City Heights.  We had 43 volunteers – a record number!  With the growing number of guests for this event and the Pumpkinfest, it was decided to disperse the guest into three groups – one consisting of those who wanted to eat first, a second for those wanting to do the hayride first, and the third group were those wanting to fish first.  Amazingly, they self-divided into equal groups.  This avoided a long food line and food waste, as well as overcrowded hayrides.  This worked out very well and proved to be more efficient.  The same will be done for this year’s Pumpkinfest.  It was suggested at the event that next year there be a very casual gathering for the volunteers after the guests head back to City Heights.

3. John Benton gave a report on July’s grant project with Holy Trinity School – The project will take place Saturday, July 14. St. Tim’s volunteers (approximately, 25-30) will be working with the school’s Parent Club on the project.  They will provide lunch and drinks for all volunteers. Everyone should meet at the school at 9:00 a.m..

4. School Supply Drive – supply needs will be passed out the weekend of July 23-24.  The Boy Scouts will do this.  The collection will take place the following weekend.  Volunteers will be needed to help move the items from the gathering space to the parish center as Northern Kentucky Harvest will not pick up the items until Monday, July 30.  Items for Gallatin County will also be delivered Monday.  The committee also discussed using some of the items to help our own parishioners with school supply needs. If we have identified parishioners with school supply needs, we could get the specific school supply list from the school attended and gather those specific items for the family.

5. Lois reported on the Yard Sale – Spaces are still available.  Jerry Beatrice is taking care of the food booth.  Food to be sold:  Homemade donuts, coffee, chicken nuggets, bottled water. There will be a St. Timothy booth.  Parishioners can donate items to be sold at this booth with all proceeds going to St. Charles.  No clothing will be accepted. 

6. Lesley reported on IHN – August commitment date is Tuesday, August 14.  We will treat the IHN families to a Florence Freedom game that evening.  The families will be picked up from the day center and brought to the game rather than to CUMC.  Lesley will check on ticket options.  Carol recommended the “Open Air Suite” which includes a buffet of all food and drink for the guest.  She provided contacts for Florence Freedom for more details. 

7. OUTREACH shirts are for sale - $17 each and will be available for order until August 12. 

8. OUTREACH car magnets are in.  Lesley ordered 5.  They look great!  They are to be used for deliveries or OUTREACH activities. 

9. Fr. Ruschman Garden update – The garden is producing abundantly.  Deliveries are being made twice a week to Gallatin Co., City Heights, and Mercy Maternity Home.  Carol, who is now on the board of directors for Welcome House, stated that they could also use the fresh produce if there is more to share. 

10. As a result of June’s discussion about helping our own parishioners with needs, Lesley has written an article for the August Companion, “Outreach Inward”, which points out all that we do for the local community and how we are available to assist our own parishioners who can benefit from our many Outreach events, activities, and ministries. 

11. September will mark the 10^th anniversary of the opening of the church building’s doors.  Beginning in Sept. we will begin a 12 month countdown of parish service hours – 10,000 hours to 10 year anniversary.  While it seems like a lot of hours, all feel it will be easy to achieve if everyone submits their service hours for recording.  There are several ways to keep track of the hours.  The idea is to keep track by pillars – Service, Formation, Community, and Worship. A 12 month countdown will encompass all activities for a complete calendar year.  The primary purpose is to promote more volunteerism and awareness of the many opportunities to give of time.  Part of the promotion will be an article in the Sept. Companion.

12. Crystal shared with the group Angel Food Ministries, a food distribution group in Georgia that works with host churches in selling boxes of food at discount prices.  Crystal was asked to gather more information for our next meeting.