St. Timothy Pastoral Council Minutes

September 3, 2008

 Present:  Fr. Rick Bolte, Fr. Jacob Varghese, Jerry Beatrice, Al Kovacic, Rick Harvey, Dave Shefchik, Jim Lockhart, Steve Alley, and Randy Herbert.

Absent:  Jim Sholar, Karen Riegler, Kathleen Thompson, and Steve Lemberg.

1. Jerry Beatrice offered the opening prayer, and the August minutes were approved.  Steve Alley explained that he was auditing the meeting as part of his deacon training.

2. Pillar Reports.

A.  Jim Lockhart gave the Finance Council report.  The parish is still operating ahead of budget projections for the year, mostly due to increased school receipts.  Although contributions have decreased a bit during the summer, we are still ahead of last year.  Jim said that the parish will be changing banks to get better service and better interest rates.

B.  Al Kovacic presented the Worship Committee report (see attached).  The Sunday choir will start back up again on the last week of September.  They will be wearing new choir robes, which arrived in August.  New liturgical ministers will be trained and commissioned during this month.

C.  Randy Herbert presented the Outreach report from the August meeting (see attached).  The September grant recipient is the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy.  There is little room on site for a service project, so the committee agreed to assist with sending out invitations for the pharmacy’s annual fund raiser.  The yard sale was a success, with over $3800 generated for St. Charles Academy.  There are still school supplies left over after distribution, so if any one knows a child who still needs help, contact Lesley. 

D.  Fr. Jacob gave the report for Adult Faith Formation (see attached).  The parish will begin a “Journey into the Bible” on October 14.  It is a six week bible study which will be conducted mostly by Deacon Mike Keller.  Sign up will be the weekend of October 11.  The next Tapping into Theology will be Monday September 8th.  Bishop Foys will be discussing the papal visit to the United States.  The parish mission will be March 21st through 24th. 

E.  Fr. Jacob also gave a brief report on the STYM, which gets under way for the year Sunday, September 7.  Charlotte is preparing a curriculum for the year’s programs.

F.  There was no Community report.  However, Rick Harvey did say that the Oktoberfest is coming, and volunteers are still needed.      

3. Jerry Beatrice read Steve’s Welcoming report.  The Welcoming event on August 8th saw six new families enter the parish.  This was the first time the crucifix was part of the welcoming package.

4. Dave Shefchik reported that all permits are completed, and the down payment has been made on the parish sign.  In about six weeks, there should be a new, permanent sign where the aging temporary sign now sits.  Dave is still getting bids for landscaping and irrigation.

5. Pastor’s Report.

A.  The Facilities Committee had their first meeting with the architect.  The first meeting was mainly for introductions, and to discuss possible solutions to the problem of space for the parish.  The next meeting is scheduled for the end of September.

B.  If Deb Thomas looks a bit frazzled these days, it’s because the pre-school got under way September 2.  So far it’s going very well, and Fr. Rick hasn’t even complained about the noise outside his office door.   PSR also begins this weekend. 

C.  The parish offices have a new computer server in place, and the bugs are being worked out.  All the computers have had memory upgrades as well.

D.  The Boone County Planning Task Force is trying to wrap up, but progress is slow.  They hope to have a report ready for the bishop by the end of October.

E.  Thomas More College is beginning a 30 million dollar building and scholarship project.  Thomas More is the diocesan Catholic college, and they have never before asked for funds.  They are hoping that a number of parishes will contribute, and from St. Tim’s they are asking for $50,000 over five years.  The parish Finance Council has said the funds can be made available, but recommends beginning next fiscal year.  The PC voted unanimously to approve the donation, and to designate the money for scholarship funds.

6. Jerry Beatrice has been reviewing the Pastoral Council by-laws, and found them to be somewhat out of date.  He is in the process of rewriting them to bring them more in line with our current situation and practices.

7. The next PC meeting will be October 1.  Fr. Jacob “volunteered” to give the opening prayer.

8. Rick Harvey offered the closing prayer, and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Randy Herbert, secretary

PILLAR REPORTS

Finance Council Report

Worship Report

Formation Report

ADULT FAITH FORMATION MEETING : Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Present: Phil Aller, Ric Berndsen, Faye Gosney, Father Jacob, Deacon Mike Keller, Sue Keller, Joan Klahr, Pat Rigney, Kathleen Thompson

Ric opened the meeting with a prayer.

We welcomed Kathleen as the representative from Parish Council.

• Tapping into Theology - We reviewed and commented on the program presented by Roseanne Nields from St. Elizabeth. Comments were very favorable. Mike was concerned about the low attendance (22) in spite of all the advertising. We discussed the possibility of not having an August “Tapping into Theology” because of people being on vacation. Mike said we would cover this in more detail at our next meeting. Ric suggested that we invite Roseanne back next year to update us on the topic of the state of Healthcare in the U.S. All agreed that it was a very good idea.
   
• Bible Study – Pat Rigney reported that she met with the Bible Study sub-committee (Kathleen, Faye and Father Jacob) and they had made up a survey to be presented to the Parish. Different study guides were discussed and it was agreed that “Journey into the Bible” would be used. It is a six-week Catholic Bible Study series from Liguori Publications. This program applies the Bible to what is going on today. Upon discussing the results of the sub-committee meeting with Father Rick, Pat said he did not approved of doing the survey, but approved the “Journey into the Bible” program. Father Rick said he would like a credentialed person leading the Bible Study. We thought of Father Jacob or Deacon Tom. Deacon Mike said he could do it, but there were times he would be out of town because of business.
  
  We discussed doing a pilot group. Pat said that classroom space is available at the Parish Center on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. To inform people, we will make a copy of the brochure Pat had from Liguori and have that information put in the bulletin. We will also do handouts after weekend masses beginning September 13. Our goal is to begin the Bible Study Program on Tuesday evening, October 14; this will have the Bible Study ending October 18. We will begin advertising in the Church bulletin the weekend of September 13, continuing through the weekend of October 4 with sign-up the weekend of October 11. We would like to have this announced from the pulpit the weekend we have sign-up. We talked about charging a fee of $5 for materials. Faye will prepare a flyer for handout and will contact Kay with the information to be placed in the bulletin. She will also contact Michelle to get a room reserved for the six-week period beginning October 14 on Tuesday evening.
   
• Faith Formation Supplies – An inventory was done on the supplies. We need a large plastic container and new checkered table cloths. Faye asked if it would be okay to purchase small plastic cups for wine since we never seem to be able to find them. Approval was given. Pat and Faye will go shopping before the next Tapping into Theology program.
   
• September 8 Tapping into Theology Program – Bishop Foys will be our guest presenter. He will be discussing the recent Papal visit to the United States. Faye informed the committee that this information has already been sent to the other Catholic churches for inclusion in their Church bulletins. The pastor at All Saints in Walton did send a response that he would make sure this was put in their Sunday bulletin. We will use Constant Contact, our Church bulletin, the Messenger, the kiosk, etc. Mike asked that everyone provide this information to any groups with which they are affiliated – phone calls, e-mails, whatever it takes. We would like more than 22 people to show up for the Bishop.
  
  We decided to have different snacks: cookies and coffee (along with the usual beer, wine and soft drinks). We will purchase two cookie trays from Sam’s. Since the program will be starting earlier than usual, we will begin setting up at 5:30. Mike will pick up gift certificates to restaurants to give to the Bishop.
  
  Dave Shockey will be coming in October. Joan will contact him regarding his topic for discussion and provide the information for advertising.
   
• Mission 2009 – Dottie Due has confirmed Father Arico for March 21-24, 2009. Mike asked Faye to check with Dottie about the status on her contacts with Fr. Arico. We will discuss the Mission 2009 at the next meeting.
   
• Stations of the Crib – We selected December 13 for the Stations of the Crib. Faye will contact Michelle Alley to get this date on the calendar. She will also contact Valerie and Charlotte for individuals who might be interested in being the in skits for each of the stations.
   
• Kathleen Thompson and her husband, Kevin, will be making a mission trip to Africa in September. She talked of the priest with whom they began going on these missions, Father John Judie. He is a parish priest in Louisville, Kentucky. It was suggested that perhaps Father Judie could come to St. Timothy for a presentation or perhaps a mini retreat in early 2009. We also talked with Kathleen about having her do a presentation on her mission trip.

There being no further business, the meeting was closed with a prayer by Father Jacob.
Next meeting: Sept.9 at 7pm in the Parish Center.

Outreach Report

Outreach Minutes: August 12, 2008

In attendance:  Mark & Sue Helmer, Jim Sholar, Faye Gosney, Korri Iracondo, Lesley Duggan 

• September Grant recipient – St. Vincent DePaul Pharmacy:  Lesley spoke with the pharmacy’s director, Rosana Aydt, regarding the outreach grant project.  In May the pharmacy had requested the committee consider doing a fundraiser of some kind to generate gifts or gift cards for their Grand Event fundraiser in November.  The committee decided against the idea since the pharmacy is already getting the grant funds – it was too much like double-dipping.  Other concerns would be other grant recipients wanting fundraisers as well.  The committee agreed to keep it a “Service” outreach.  The recommendation in the pharmacy’s grant application is to help with the stuffing of invitations for the event.  Since this will not require many people, Rosana recommended a second project – helping with the assembly of the gift baskets for the event.  Items for the gift baskets will be donations from other churches and organizations; we will provide the volunteers to assemble gifts in the baskets.  The committee agreed to doing both projects.  Invitation mailing will be before October 1.  A date for the invitation project will occur late September; a date for the second project will be late October.  We will publicize in the bulletin the pharmacy’s Grand Event in November. Rosana will be our grant speaker at all weekend Masses Labor Day weekend.
  NEEDED: A VOLUNTEER TO COORDINATE THE INVITATION STUFFING.  Contact Lesley if interested in overseeing this project.  
  NEEDED: A VOLUNTEER TO INTRODUCE ROSANA AT THE 4:30 MASS.  LESLEY WILL WRITE A SCRIPT TO FOLLOW.  Call Lesley if interested.
   

• The Outreach Committee has September’s Hosea House.  This year it will occur on the 4th Sunday rather than the 3rd because of Oktoberfest.  Geri and Marty usually oversee and coordinate the meal and volunteers.  Jim recommended that additional pork shoulders be grilled at Oktoberfest for Hosea House. 
   

• Baby Shower – Lesley shared Crystal’s search for a bigger location for this year’s baby shower because of the growing number of participating “Mothers-to-be.”  Suggestions: Limit the number of family members of the mothers-to-be attending the shower.  Location suggestions:  The Point Pavilion, Mother of God, or St. Augustine in Covington.  Email or call Crystal with other suggestions. 
   

• Yard Sale:  A financial report was given to all in attendance (See email attachment).  8 cases of soft drinks were left over but could not be returned as each had been opened.  Suggestion was made to get same drinks used at Oktoberfest and any overage could be used then.  Considering charging $1 per car for parking.  Presbyterian Church across the street was charging $5 per car.  Parking fee would be easy money.  Would need organized parking committee/crew to oversee it.  Also considering whether or not to make the St. Vincent DePaul trucks available for donations not sold.  Comments:  Handicap spaces were taken by people without handicap stickers.  Suggestion: rope off handicap spots.  Donations for the St. Tim’s booth need to be clean before donated.  Suggestion:  Have parishioners pre-price items or provide a suggested pricing sheet to pre-price items.  Seniors did a great job.  Food booth may need a more visible location or signs pointing to the food booth.  Next year, donuts from the KC’s.  If yard sale is in conjunction with the Boone Co. Fair, have the KC’s cook up extras Friday night to sell at the yard sale on Saturday.
  
  Jim inquired about a yard sale follow-up meeting.  Will need to check with Lois who is out of town. 
   

• School supply collection – Summary was given to those in attendance (see attachment).  Carol Harvey attended the Northern Kentucky Harvest Backpack and Breakfast event.  While she was not at the meeting, it was reported that 800 backpacks were given away and about 100 students were turned away because they ran out.
   

• Senior to Senior Outreach:  Pat Kline and Lesley handed out packets and gave explanations to the residents of Aldersgate.  15 applications were turned in.  Action Ministries’ truck will be used to make deliveries.  Approximately 36 of the Young in Spirit Seniors signed up to help with the ministry. 
   

• Mother of God grant outreach – Went well.  About 35 were in attendance from Mother of God and over 100 St. Tim parishioners and volunteers participated. 
   

• Garden Ministry: Mark gave a brief report. More squash was planted. Fr. Ruschman visited the garden and was pleased.  More volunteers are needed.  None of the food is going to waste in the garden, but it is taking a lot of time for the few volunteers to harvest making sure nothing is wasting.  Suggestion: Get volunteers from Gallatin Co. and City Heights to help with the harvesting.
   

• Next blood drive – Wednesday, Oct. 8. Will be able to sign up on the website. 

Next meeting:  Sept.11, 2008, 7pm in Parish Center.

Community Report