St. Joseph’s Parish Council Meeting

Monday, February 9, 2004

Attending: Fr. David McGuinness, Jim Altmiller, Louise Benjamin, Barbara Bremus, Michael Brock, Charlie Broussard, June Compton, Susan Gearhart, Carolyn McFall

Absent: Maggie Glassman, Chet Malanoski, Dana Moody, Margarita Tejeda

I. Opening Prayer – Fr. McGuinness

II. Approval of printed minutes for meeting of January 2004

III. Old Business

1. Committees

Fr. David reports a new ‘planning’-type committee is being formed as a ‘think tank’ to do soul-searching and brainstorming, to set it’s own agenda, give direction for the parish, and make recommendations to Parish Council.

2. Nominations
1. Nominating Committee ( Maggie Glassman, Dana Moody, Charlie Broussard, Susan Gearhart) continues to meet and seek nominations, advises those who nominate others to ask that person before nomination is given to the committee.
2. Council members rotating off are Barbara Bremus, Michael Brock, Charlie Broussard, and Maggie Glassman.
3. Nomination forms now available in parish office will be made available in vestibule area.

IV. Reports, Boards, Standing Committees

1. Finance – Jim Altmiller
1. Recent ‘Statement of Support, Revenue and Expenses’ distributed.
2. Current members well chosen and highly qualified.
3. Their job is to make the income fit the expenses.
4. The need is seen for Stewardship Committee to add a Financial Sub-Committee (Treasure portion of Time, Talent, Treasure) to raise funds and awareness. Parishioners should be better informed on parish expenses incurred per registered family (about $40.00 per family for envelopes and subscription to diocesan Georgia Bulletin newspaper).
5. Question raised concerning mailing statements of donation amounts.
2. Communication – Louise Benjamin
1. Chairperson – Ed Fechtel
2. Meetings continue, additional committee members being sought.
3. Concerns are:
1. How to reach all parish organizations and parish families?
2. How to increase the flow of communication to all area Catholics?
4. Role of Committee will be to coordinate parish-wide communication by various means (web-site, bulletin, events calendar, Mass announcements, church vestibule bulletin board, a new ministry directory, diocesan Georgia Bulletin newspaper, area press, e-mail, proposed quarterly parish newsletter, phone, invitations, etc.)
5. Suggestions made for
1. more social events to allow people to meet each other
2. open all standing committee membership to teens
3. Liturgy – Barbara Bremus, Carolyn McFall
1. Liturgy Committee communication/advertising concerns should be delegated to Communication Committee.
2. Proposed Mass schedule changes (to 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00pm) will be announced and feedback is being requested.
1. Suggestion made to delay schedule change until summer to avoid conflict with RE, Adult Ed, and other activities.
2. Suggestion made to solicit feedback from choir members.
3. Training continues for Liturgy ministries; Eucharistic Ministers (about 60), Altar Servers, Readers, Ushers.
4. Lenten reading materials have been ordered in English and Spanish. Various themes being explored for Friday ‘Stations of the Cross’.
5. Neighborhood liturgies and gatherings proceeding, positive response, more to be scheduled.
6. Sign-up schedule to be posted for families wishing to bring the Gifts forward during Mass.
7. Parish Mission – March 22^nd – 24^th, Lenten Penance Service March 23^rd (Tuesday), area- wide advertisement planned.
8. Full-time Music Minister, Betty Nielson, job description being finalized.
9. Future concern – accessibility for participating in the liturgy for persons needing large print, audio amplification, wheelchair and walker ‘seating’ space, assistive handrails, ramp to sanctuary, sign language interpretation, etc.
4. Maintenance – Charlie Broussard
1. Current committee members waiting for direction on needed repairs.
2. Request made for committee to review previous diocesan audit of facility and grounds, then discuss level of need, liability, and priorities.
3. Routine maintenance needs to be discussed with current maintenance staff.

V. New Business and Announcements

1. Youth Missionaries from around the country will be here during Holy Week (Wednesday through Sunday). Assistance needed for housing and transportation.
2. Fr. Kizito, from Africa to preach at Masses next weekend (Feb 14^th and 15^th).
3. Pax Christi USA info from Armando Tasistro, delegated to Barbara Bremus.
4. Importance stressed for all organizations and ministry leaders to meet for parish-wide information exchange, planning and scheduling.
5. Currently there is no charge for weddings, funerals, and baptisms held in our church. These expenses need to be considered.
6. Statements of donation amounts (recorded by parish envelope usage) need to be mailed with letter of thanks.
7. Plan to provide increased opportunity for Adoration (in addition to Tuesday evening formal Adoration service).
8. Recognition of need to have office phones answered by volunteer staff for extended office hours (Veronica currently works 9:00am – 4:00pm).
9. Sanctuary area needs some improvement made.
10. St. Joseph’s Feast Day (Friday, March 19^th) planned by Women’s Council and Knights of Columbus: 5:30pm Mass, 6:00pm Fish Fry dinner, family style activities.
11. Parish Hall stove is not working, need commercial replacement stove as soon as possible!
12. Announcement needs to be made that old palm branches should be collected at church prior to Ash Wednesday so as to be burnt for ashes.
13. Parish ‘Relay for Life’ team members needed (May 14^th and 15^th).
14. American Red Cross event yet to be scheduled.
15. ‘Christ Renews His Parish’ retreats being scheduled for May
16. Request made to receive evaluation of Religious Education classes dual track system.
17. Suggestion made to eliminate missalette booklets to focus attention on listening to the readings, or order a smaller number to be distributed and collected at the door by Greeters.
18. Next Parish Council meeting, Monday, March 15^th, 2004