St. Joseph Parish Council Meeting

Sunday, May 23, 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

Guests/Incoming Members: Pete Konenkamp, Todd Story

Prayer: Fr. McGuinness

Minutes: Approved

Men’s Retreat: Christ Renews His Parish
      Attendance, 34 men. Reported to be "an incredible experience!"
      Next opportunity for men’s retreat will be in about 6 months.

Parish Website: recently updated, encourage all to visit the site as improved source of information ( www.stjoesonline.org ). Site continues to be adjusted as more accurate information is received. Includes calendar, parish organizations info, Sunday bulletin, etc. Currently info for posting goes directly to Don Norris via the website or as an attachment.

Old Business:

  1. Housekeeping for rectory: Job description under review. Periodic assistance for special housekeeping needs can be directed to June Compton of Women’s Council for discussion.
  2. Office: Discussion concerning need for an office manager and other paid staff to attain desired level of professionalism, consistency, and stability. Problem of current collection income does not meet current expenses. Current staff consist of Veronica Imery and Sr. Marietta plus some volunteers.

Reports:

  1. Stewardship Committee has a sub-committee of 3 members currently conducting evening phone calls from the parish office to a sample of listed parishioners to determine roster accuracy. Results to date discussed. A Motion was made (Louise) and seconded (Susan) that Parish Council Members will conduct social/hospitality gatherings during August and September after Masses to assist the parish community with new and re-registration. The goals of this process are to assist the parish office in maintaining accurate roster info, improve mailing list communications, and trim current expenses incurred for persons/families no longer attending our parish (Archdiocesan assessment, Georgia Bulletin Archdiocesan newspaper, parish envelope printing and mailing).
  2. Communication Committee has proposed a Conference of Parish Organizations (CPO) to manage the regular exchange of information among the organizations and the parish to facilitate the work of each organization especially in the area of event scheduling and mutual support. Parish Council agreed to endorse and encourage Communication Committee to proceed as the designated manager of this Conference. (Reminder made to include our parish school as one of these organizations.)
  3. Finance: Parish budget is still being constructed. Current income per week is $3,000.00 less than current expenses. Encouraging regular use of envelopes will be a simple step towards improving collections. More accurate parish roster will trim parish expenses now incurred for each family (required subscription to Georgia Bulletin, printing and mailing of envelopes = $60.00 per year, per registered family).
  4. Hispanic Ministry: Discussion of opportunity to educate parish on current and future activities with area Hispanic Catholics through outreach and resource facilities.

Announcements:

  1. Pentecost reception after 11:45am Mass this Sunday, May 30, 2004 to welcome church members newly received at the Easter Vigil.
  2. Sr. Margarita has resigned from the parish office staff, but will continue to serve in ministry at Oasis.
  3. All parishioners and especially Parish Council members are encouraged to attend any Planning Meetings.
  4. Confirmation is this Friday, May 28, 2004.
  5. Thank you to out-going Parish Council members: Mike Brock, Charlie Broussard, Maggie Glassman, Barbara Bremus.
  6. Next meeting scheduled for June 13, 2004 at 7:15pm.