St. Joseph Parish Council Meeting
Attending: Fr. David McGuinness, Jim Altmiller, Louise Benjamin, June Compton, Pete Konenkamp, Marty Ledenham, Chet Malanoski, Carolyn McFall, Dana Moody, Rosemary Risse, Todd Story
Not in attendance: Susan Gearhart, Margarita Tejeda
Minutes of November 14, 2004, meeting approved.
After the opening prayer, Father began the meeting by clarifying the differences between the Planning Committee’s finance committee and the Parish Finance Committee. The former deals with reporting to the Parish Council on potential short-term and long-term costs of decisions regarding the parish facility location, including renovating the present facility, rebuilding at the present site, and relocating and building at a new site. The Parish Finance Committee sets financial goals and policy for the parish, which the committee reports to the Parish Council for approval and actual expenditure.
Chet volunteered to be the Parish Council representative to the Planning Committee’s site options committee. The Planning Committee will examine and report to the Parish in March about the costs of the three proposals before the parish regarding the present facility – renovation, reconstruction at present site, and relocation to a new site.
Father also reported that one-half acre of undeveloped land sits behind the school and that the asking price for it is $50,000. The Council raised questions of zoning as well as the high cost of the land. The Council asked Father to continue investigating this land, especially if the parish decides to stay at the present location.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
FINANCE: Jim stated that the monthly “green” envelope contribution system will change in February to include religious education in addition to the building fund. The Finance Committee will inform parishioners in January of this modification. Religious education currently costs $175,000 each year, with $125,000 coming from parish funds and the balance from tuition and special event fundraising. The Council also endorsed the Finance Committee’s recommendation that loose cash and change in the collection be used for Religious Education.
MAINTENCENCE: Todd reported that reconstruction on the wall behind the church should be finished by Christmas.
STEWARDSHIP: No report
COMMUNICATIONS: Pete noted that Tim has begun working on the parish’s first newsletter and will include photos of parish activities. A summary of the fall survey is being written and will be included in a future issue of the newsletter.
LITURGY: Carolyn stated that everything is on schedule for the Christmas Mass celebrations. All banners have been made, and plans for the Children’s Mass are done except for finalization of music and deciding what “Santa” would give to the children as they leave. The Council endorsed the plan to give candy canes, with an explanation of the religious meaning of the candy canes’ coloration (red for Christ’s sacrifice and white for His purity).
OLD BUSINESS:
NURSERY: Todd reported that Tom Rocks is working on both getting additional volunteers for the nursery and developing procedures for checking volunteers’ references.
SAFETY/SECURITY ISSUES: Father informed the Council that an intercom system and electronic lock on the front door will cost about $1,900. “Request-to-enter” and exit buttons will add $400 to this cost. The Council approved these additions and the cost of the intercom-lock system. Pete will work with installation of any system as well as the placement of security cameras.
HOUSING SEARCH: Nothing new to report. The search continues.
STEPHEN’S MINISTRY: June stated that Barbara Bremus has turned in the paperwork and has two or three volunteers willing to be the group’s leaders. The Ministry is participating in the Knights of Columbus art auction March 5-6, and Stephen’s Ministry’s share of the proceeds will go to fund its ministries.
SECOND SUNDAY SOCIALS: Dana noted the next socials will be January 15-16. No host has stepped forward yet, but Dana believes the Knights will do so.
PARISH CHRISTMAS PARTY: Marty and June reported that everything is set for the dessert potluck party on December 18. Child care will be provided from 7-9 p.m. The Parish Council will set up chairs and tables in the Parish Hall Saturday afternoon, and the Women’s Council will decorate the Hall.
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SEARCH COMMITTEE: June stated that the committee’s members are Steve Spellman, Brad Baird, Sharon Shouse, Sr. Margarita, Pete Konenkamp, Maggie Glassman, Ann Mitchell, Julia Atilles, and Father McGuinness. They will meet in January to begin the selection process. In addition, the committee will ask the Dominican Sisters to consider coming to St. Joseph’s School.
NEW BUSINESS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: June passed around Veronica’s thank-you note for the baby gift. Father announced Bishop Wilton Gregory has been appointed to head the Atlanta archdiocese. Father noted new curtains are needed for the rectory, and Jim volunteered to get them. Father also stated that the Women’s Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) weekend scheduled for January 8-9 has a waiting list and that the next men’s CRHP already has seven men signed up.
The Council closed the meeting with a prayer.
The next meeting is January 16 at 7:30 p.m.