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St. Timothy Pastoral Council Minutes November 6, 2007
Present: Fr. Rick Bolte, Fr. Jacob Varghese, Dave Shefchik, Jim Sholar, Jerry Beatrice, Mark Dornoff, Marin Smith, Al Kovacic, Rick Harvey, Steve Lemberg, John Gould, Lesley Duggan, and Randy Herbert.
1. Dave Shefchik offered the opening prayer, and the October minutes were approved.
2. With the new Offertory Program instituted by the Diocese, each parishioner is being asked to re-evaluate his/her level of offertory donations. In an effort to lead by example, the PC is also being asked to re-evaluate the parish tithing program. The parish has tithed 4% of the monthly collections since 2004, with the funds going to City Heights, Gallatin Co., Diocesan collections, and the grant program. Lesley Duggan was present at this month’s meeting to present facts and figures supporting an increase of our tithing program to 5%. The additional funds would increase the level of giving to the Diocese, and grants, but Lesley proposed that part of the increase be used for two parish funds. One would be the STYM mission trip, which we hope will become and annual event. The other is the Outreach Assistance fund, available for those who come to the parish in need, and which is currently budgeted at $200 per month. The motion was made and seconded to raise the tithe to 5% beginning with the December collection. The motion was approved unanimously.
3. Pillar Reports A. The Finance Council is scheduled to meet on November 14, so there were no minutes to present. However, John Gould presented the September income/expense report, which indicated that monthly contributions have increased. That’s the good news. The bad news is that fund raising events are not doing as well this year as in the past. Still, the FC is optimistic that there will be some surplus at the end of the year. B. Al Kovacic presented the Worship Committee minutes (see attached). The idea of a rolling cart to handle outreach collections is still being explored, but no design has been presented yet. Available room in the gathering space is a problem. One interesting item was the automatic refill feature of the baptismal font, which is not working properly. The font has a 20 year warranty, but the company which installed it went out of business last month. Michelle is exploring alternatives. The issue of the cleanliness of the church after weddings and funerals was brought up. Suggestions included a checklist in the sacristy, especially for the use of visiting priests, and a wedding coordinator as a possible paid position. C. Jim Sholar presented the Outreach Committee minutes from the October meeting (see attached). The committee is extremely busy, with nine events planned between November 1 and Christmas. Parishioner Kate Harvey has come up with an idea to further assist residents of City Heights called “Cutting Out Hunger.” The idea is for parishioners to collect unused food coupons for them, and include a life-skills training session on how to shop with coupons to reduce food bills. There is a collection basket in the gathering space. D. Marin Smith gave the Faith Formation report (see attached). There is sad news in that Debbie Froschauer has resigned as the Coordinator of Religious Education. She will stay on until Christmas or the hiring of a replacement, whichever comes first. The job is an extremely difficult one, at which Debbie has excelled. She will be greatly missed. The abstinence program for 7th and 8th graders, given a few weeks ago, was recorded on video tape. Several parents and students who missed the required presentation were able to make it up by viewing the tape. It worked well, so future required presentations will be taped as well. On December 15th, there will be a family oriented advent program including a covered dish dinner, “Stations of the Crib” and a tree lighting. All are invited. E. Rick Harvey gave the Community report. The Oktoberfest final figures were in, with a net of over $77,000. That’s a little lower than last year, mostly due to lower car raffle ticket sales, but still good results. The Chicken Dinner netted only $577, with low attendance, but good fellowship was enjoyed by all there. Upcoming events include the Holiday Shop night, Breakfast With Santa, and the annual Dinner Dance.
4. Steve Lemberg reported that eight new families registered last month, but only three were able to attend the welcoming event. He is working on improving the presentation, including signs that tell of all the parish activities.
5. Dave Shefchik met with the Boone County Commissioner, and has a meeting scheduled with the Planning Commission. He has discovered that electronic signs are not permitted except for schools. To install one requires a re-zoning request, which will have to work its way through the county courts and Planning Commission. He is beginning the paperwork to do so. When the weight of the paper equals the weight of the sign, we hope to have approval.
6. Marin Smith met with Tina Booth from The Mustard Seed regarding placing a portable product unit in the gathering space for religious books and article. They will stock the unit with seasonal items and pay the insurance. The parish would receive 10% of the sales. The issue of available room in the gathering space is a difficult one. The question has been tabled for a month to give PC members an opportunity to look over the space available, or make alternative suggestions.
7. Rick Harvey, Al Kovacic, and Marin Smith had a very detailed report from the needs assessment committee, indicating use of parish space for a month by day, and by hour of the day. The obvious immediate needs are classrooms and storage space. Rick is preparing a written summary of their conclusions, to include what various staff members and committee heads have indicated they would desire in a perfect world. Meanwhile, Fr. Bolte will begin working with the follow-on construction committee.
8. Mark Dornoff said that the pictures of the proposed stained-glass windows that were in The Companion have generated a lot of feedback, and almost all of it has been positive.
9. Jerry Beatrice presented some maintenance and plant issues. Installation of a flat screen and wiring for an electronic display in the kiosk should run around $700. He proposed and increase in usage fees for Brodnick Hall to cover the cost of clean up. He will study the issue further and consult with Jennifer Fedders. The elevator has been damaged, and is in need of repair. The company will be called for an estimate.
10. Pastor’s Report. A. Charlotte Boemker has asked about the possibility of the Youth Room being reserved for their use only. As the needs assessment would make clear, that isn’t possible right now, although some improvements can be made. A dedicated Youth Room is high on the list of desires for the construction committee to consider. B. Fr. Bolte addressed the issue of Debbie Froschauer’s resignation, and indicated that this might be a good time to reorganize the PSR. It may be possible to separate some jobs for greater efficiency, and maybe even hire someone to do the administrative busy-work involved, freeing Chris for more managerial work. C. Kroger cards are coming, with proceeds to go to the church or to PSR. Be prepared!
11. The next PC meeting will be December 4. Rick Harvey volunteered to offer the opening prayer, and Jim Sholar the closing prayer.
12. Randy Herbert offered the closing prayer, and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted, Randy Herbert Parish Council Secretary
PILLAR REPORTS Finance Council Report no written report Worship Report Worship Committee Meeting, October 17, 2007 Present: Fr. Bolte, Katie Barton, Kelly Stuckenschneider, Larry & Pat Lense, Dolly Holzwarth, Al Kovacic, Helen Baltz, Madeline Bond and Michelle Alley
Helen started the meeting at 7:25 pm with a prayer
St. Timothy Feast Day Dolly suggested that we should do something to celebrate St. Timothy’s Feast Day on Saturday, January 26. A pot-luck supper was suggested for after the 4:30 Mass, however since it is the weekend before the Winter Dinner Dance and Jennifer will be too busy with that to handle a pot-luck supper also.
Next Scheduled Meeting We had planned to meet a week earlier in November due to Thanksgiving but that is when Finance Council meets so we will meet on November 28 and skip the December meeting. We will need to discuss Ash Wednesday at the November meeting.
Stained Glass Windows We cannot get designs to choose from but the designs can be viewed ahead of time. We hope to have them installed in time for Easter.
Chairs/Holiday Masses The best solution we have is to lock the double doors going into Brodnick Hall to prevent people from bring chairs up to the church and gathering space. We may be able to use the locks that are put on the church doors during receptions. This shouldn’t be a fire hazard because there is still access to all the exits.
Rolling Cart for Outreach Collections If someone could come up with a feasible design we’d be happy to consider it. Is the pamphlet rack in the gathering space being utilized? Are people taking the information available? Michelle will ask Kay about this.
Baptisms Will we continue to have music at the Baptisms held after Mass? Katie was unaware that she was supposed to do this.
There is a problem with the Baptismal Font. The dial is not working properly and last weekend it had to be filled manually. The font has a 20 year warranty but the company closed up 2 weeks ago. Michelle has been trying to get someone in to look at it but so far no luck. She will keep trying.
Liturgical Magazines Katie brought in a sourcebook and several other periodicals for us to check out. We decided to go with the sourcebook and Al will talk to a friend who owns Our Catholic Store about getting us 2 copies. We will take turns reading it and copying what may be of interest to the group.
Music Ministry
Weddings & Funerals
Organ Helen asked if our next DPAA goal could be for an organ. She said several people have asked about this. Fr. said that next year’s DPAA overage was going to go toward a permanent sign for the Parish.
Thanksgiving Day: Mass at 10 am
Next Scheduled Meeting We had planned to meet a week earlier in November due to Thanksgiving but that is when Finance Council meets so we will meet on November 28 and skip the December meeting. We will need to discuss Ash Wednesday at the November meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 pm Formation Report
Report for the Parish Council, November,
2007 Debbie Froschauer has resigned her position as Coordinator of Religious Education in order to spend more time with her family. She is willing to remain on staff until Christmas or until we have hired a replacement, whichever comes first. Debbie’s departure is a significant loss to the program. She has done an excellent job and has made the St. Timothy Religious Education program a model of creative learning. Several students and parents were absent for our abstinence talk for the 7th and 8th grade and parents a few weeks ago. These families received letters signed by Father Bolte acknowledging the fact that they missed the program and offering the option of viewing a taped version of it. Many parents and students did come to view the video, which has encouraged us to tape other required events for parents and follow-up to make sure that they avail themselves of a second opportunity to be present.
STYM:
Numbers continue to
grow. We have made a proposal to develop a “space” for the Youth to
call their own. Father Bolte is in receipt of this proposal. This month is another Parent-Required event for our PSR program. On November 12 and 14, we will have a combined Yahweh Café/ Tapping into Theology on the topic of the Mass as Thanksgiving (a formational topic geared to the Thanksgiving holiday). The program will be offered during the usual PSR times of Monday at 7 and Wednesday at 5:30 and 7. All parishioners, not just PSR parents, are invited to attend any of these sessions. On December 15, the Adult Faith Formation Committee will host an advent evening for the whole family. Beginning after the 4:30 mass, there will be a covered dish followed by “Stations of the Crib” (patterned after Stations of the Cross) presented by our preschool children and adult volunteers. After the Stations, all will be invited outside to view a “Lighting of the Trees” and sing carols.
In January, Sr.
Juana of Cristo Rey parish, will present 2 Tapping into Theologies
about the issues surrounding Mexican immigrants. Dates are January 14
and 28. Catholic teaching, local impact, and legal issues will be
discussed. Outreach Report Outreach Ministry Meeting, October 18,
2007 St. Charles Academy UPCOMING DATES and volunteer opportunities:
Lesley passed out sign up
sheets for many projects & will contact Outreach Members by email to
remind them of the opportunity to serve. Community
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