St. Joseph Parish Council Meeting

Monday, March 15, 2004

Attending: Fr. David McGuinness, Jim Altmiller, Louise Benjamin, Barbara Bremus, Michael Brock, Charlie Broussard, June Compton, Maggie Glassman, Susan Gearhart, Carolyn McFall, Chet Malanoski, Dana Moody, Margarita Tejeda

  1. Prayer
  2. Minutes approved
  3. Old Business:
    1. Nominations:
      1. Letter of decline received from Terry Stewart.
      2. Presentation of 8 names, followed by questions and discussion, list of nominees approved as follows:

        3. Chris Brackman, Patrick Croffie, Linda Eberanz, JoAnn Griffeth,

        Jim Kennedy, Pete Konenkamp, Marty Ledenham, Todd Story

      3. Photographs and brief biographies will be collected by 3/26/04 for display.
      4. Elections are scheduled for weekend of April 17th,18th, 2004.
    2. Proposed Sunday Mass schedule changes will require more evaluation.
    3. RE set up; changes yet to be determined.
  4. Reports:
    1. Fr. McGuinness
      1. Request made to Fr. McGuinness concerning moving the large crucifix to the central steel beam over the altar. Council approved to support Fr. McGuinness’ decision in the matter after he receives appropriate evaluation.
      2. Concern expressed due to the average weekly collection dollar amount ($10,000) being lower than weekly expenses ($12,000).
      3. Planning/Think Tank/General Meeting (held on Monday, March 1st) synopsis of ideas was printed and distributed at last weekend’s Masses. A Plan of Action is being formed and this information will be made known. More such general meetings will be scheduled at the direction of the steering committee, working with the Communication Committee.
      4. Parish Mission directed by Monsigñor Marren will include collection.
      5. "Christ Renews His Parish" retreats being scheduled in May.
      6. The ArchBishop continues to receive letters from concerned parishioners. Fr. McGuinness continues to encourage parishioners to bring such problems to him in the parish office first.
      7. Fr. McGuinness toured some mobile home communities, home to mainly Hispanic families. Protestant churches have a dominating presence, while the Catholic church has visibly little to offer the mainly Catholic population at that local level. Preliminary work is being done to establish a greater physical and visible Catholic contribution towards spirituality within these local communities. Catholic Social Services & The Oasis contribute with assistance for mainly social needs and some spiritual needs. Sources of financing are being investigated to show support for those already investing their time and talent in this area.
      8. Project Healthy Grandparents for Safe & Stable Families, led by Debra Phillips (Social Work Department of UGA) requested use of our parish parking area for a ‘yard sale’ fund raiser on one of the following dates: April 17th, 24th, or May 1st from 6:00am – 2:00pm. Knowing of no scheduling conflicts, approval was given pending stipulations: organization must have its own insurance coverage, volunteer workers must clean up the area immediately after the event (without using our trash containers). Jim Altmiller volunteered to contact Ms. Phillips and to supervise the event for compliance.
    2. Finance – Jim Altmiller
           No committee meeting report. Audit to take place this week.
    3. Communication – Louise Benjamin
      1. Meetings being held every 2 weeks. Copies of Communication Committee’s Plan (objectives, etc.) were distributed.
      2. Plans being formed to organize a Conference of Parish Organizations to meet 2-3 times a year to foster support for and communication among parish ministries and organizations. A copy of the Draft of this project was distributed requesting Parish Council members’ feedback to Louise Benjamin.
      3. Parish office continues to need volunteer workers mainly for computer work and answering phones, but also for other tasks. A few parishioners have come forward but more are needed, especially to answer phones after regular office hours which are 9:00am – 4:00pm. Fr. McGuinness prefers to have a person answer the phone (rather than a machine) from 4:00pm – 6:00pm on M-F, and also on Saturday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
      4. It has been published in bulletin that announcements/contributions must be into the office 9 days in advance.
      5. It was suggested that parish bulletins be mailed to persons who are unable to attend Mass (shut-in), or delivered when Deacons or Eucharistic Ministers bring Holy Communion.
      6. Although more information could be posted on parish bulletin boards, they are already crowded.
      7. It is hoped that a monthly calendar can be generated (similar to the one distributed at St. Joseph School) and available or inserted into the bulletin.
    4. Maintenance – Charlie Broussard
      1. Meeting held on 3/19/04. Main discussion addressed the ArchDiocesan facility audit report of 9/17/2002. Committee agreed with audit findings, citing top 3 needs as a) retaining wall on Pulaski side of property, b) church building roof, and c) basement should be closed.
      2. Currently searching for quotes on repair costs.
      3. Upon touring facilities, basement was found to be better than described. Committee agreed the basement facilities could be made acceptable for limited use. (take up carpet, use de-humidifiers, make and maintain needed repairs to prevent water causing problems).
    5. Stewardship – Mike Brock
      1. Three committee members visited with the Stewardship staff of Holy Spirit Parish (in Atlanta) to gain ideas and learn about their problems and successes. Our parish needs more information and education on Stewardship. Our committee will be calling upon Parish Council members for a more active role.
      2. New committee members continue to be recruited. We have 9 people registered to attend the Stewardship Conference on Saturday, March 27th from 9:00am – 4:00pm.
  5. New Business
    1. Meals and housekeeping for our priests.
      1. Advised to check current maintenance and cleaning contract for details before adding supplemental housekeeping costs.
      2. Lunch (at about 1:00pm) is the big meal. Need prepared transportable meals for mid-day. A menu of preferred foods has been requested from Fr. McGuinness (and Fr. Dayro).
      3. Mission week meals. Maggie Glassman will work with Pam Burns to schedule volunteer assistance with these meals.
  6. Other
    1. Donation of new stove in parish hall.
      1. Some type of appropriate recognition needs to be made. Suggestions were made for a plaque and/or publication of our gratitude.
      2. Concern expressed for proper care and cleaning of the new stove. Suggestion was made to charge a reservation deposit ($) to be returned when the stove has been checked for cleanliness and other criteria.
    2. Our Knights of Columbus organization has contributed $5,000 for improvements to our church sanctuary. It has been noted that such improvements would be re-moveable if there is a re-location need.
    3. Third Annual Knights of Columbus Gold Tournament scheduled for Saturday, May 1, 2004, for the benefit of St. Joseph Catholic Church Charities.
    4. Parish Council members are each asked to form a preliminary Mission Statement for our parish to be discussed at the next meeting.
    5. Schedule of future meetings: March 29th, April 12th, April 26th, May 10th, May 24th, June 14th, June 28th.