St. Joseph Parish Council Meeting
Attending: Jim Altmiller, Louise Benjamin, June Compton, Susan Gearhart, Pete Konenkamp, Marty Ledenham, Chet Malanoski, Carolyn McFall, Dana Moody, Rosemary Risse, Todd Story
Guest: Tom Rocks, Finance Committee
Not in attendance: Fr. David McGuinness, Margarita Tejeda
Minutes of the meeting of August 8, 2004, approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
FINANCE:
Tom Rocks and Jim Altmiller presented the Parish Council with a report from the Finance Committee on the parish’s budgets, finances, and financial situation for the last three years. All funds for these years have been accounted for, but some inconsistencies in recording expenditures were noted. For example, the priests’ salaries have been recorded under "liturgy", "rectory", and "general/administrative" in the past. They noted that the Finance Committee and Father David are striving for consistency within these reports and within budget items for upcoming years.
Tom noted that the stipends for use of the church for weddings, baptisms, and funerals were included in the report, but these fees, like the Religious Education (RE) program rates, may have to be increased in the future. At the moment, RE has over 500 children registered, and St. Joseph’s School has around 220 Catholic and 150 non-Catholic students. The Council was asked to send recommendations on stipends to Tom. These fees will be discussed when Father returns from the "Holy Land", aka Ireland.
Tom and Jim also noted that parish registrations are up over the summer, with an average of 10-12 new families registering each week, for a total of 120 or so newly registered families.
Tom said in reference to the budget that the archdiocese gets the majority of the funds because of the assessment for insurance and educational expenses.
The office/business manager job description used by the archdiocese will be rewritten with specifics applied to St. Joseph Church. A bulletin insert will announce the position in the future.
MAINTENANCE, HOUSING AND NURSERY UPDATE:
Because he had to leave early, Todd reported on maintenance and other issues at the same time. The Council discussed the continuing deterioration of outside, parking-lot retaining walls in light of the recent hurricane wind and rain damage. No action will be taken until Father returns.
The search for appropriate housing for the priests is continuing. So, too, is the search for additional help with the Sunday nursery. The Council urged background checks on individuals applying to help with the nursery.
PLANNING:
June reported the Planning Committee has been granted another extension for completion of its report. The committee plans to consolidate all information before Thanksgiving and to present a report to the Parish Council in November or December. A full parish meeting will be held sometime in January.
STEWARDSHIP:
Sue said the Stewardship Committee will meet Monday, September 20.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Pete said the parish survey had been successfully administered today (Sunday, September 12) and that Barry would present the results at the next Council meeting, October 10.
LITURGY:
Carolyn stated Life Chain events for October 3 were set and that training sessions for lectors, altar servers, extraordinary ministers, and the music ministry are being planned for later this fall and will be announced in the bulletin and from the pulpit.
OLD BUSINESS:
SAFETY ISSUES:
Pete reported that he has one estimate for a closed circuit system of six camera positions to monitor all outside areas, including the parking lot. This estimate is $10,995. This system could be increased later to 10 cameras as needed. Pete will get another estimate for a full system and will also get costs for individual cameras.
HOUSING AND NURSERY: See above, under Maintenance, Housing and Nursery.
STEPHEN’S MINISTRY:
Barbara has participants willing to begin this ministry, but we are still investigating the feasibility of the ministry.
CHURCH FAMILY ALBUM: Action postponed for now.
LIFE CHAIN:
Rosemary said the permit for public assembly from the city for use of Prince Avenue for Life Chain on October 3 was acquired. One outdoor banner is ready for this year’s event, and a permit has been acquired for it. The Knights of Columbus will be in charge. Announcements will be made from the pulpit and in the bulletin. Prince Avenue Baptist Church is participating in Life Chain again this year.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Day of the Hispanic Woman on October 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will focus on health issues and screenings from the American Cancer Society and St. Mary’s and Athens Regional Hospitals.
Dana reported on the success of the first Second Sunday Parish Socials as this weekend’s socials after each Mass were well received. While everyone pitched in, but because of the work involved in hosting the socials after six weekend Masses, Dana noted that future organizers may want to consider alternatives to a full weekend of providing cookies and punch after three evening Masses and coffee, punch, and donuts after three morning Masses. One suggestion was to focus on morning Masses one time and evening Masses the next. Dana said she would coordinate the socials with other parish organizations, with a goal to have the socials on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.
June said the fall picnic/festival will not happen this year. She suggested efforts be focused on the Second Sunday Socials and that a festival be planned for next fall.
The Archdiocese will host a safety seminar Monday, October 18.
Announcements: Carolyn said that September 19 is "Honor Your Priest Day". Jim noted that as of October 4 St. Joseph’s Charity’s Food Pantry will close. The Food Bank will be the alternative site for distribution of food for the needy, and future food drive contributions at St. Joseph’s will go there. Sue stated that the rest of St. Joseph’s Charity’s activities will continue. Dana and Louise said that the rickety steps by the dumpster need to be replaced. Jim will follow-up with the school. Chet announced October 18 is the date of the St. Joseph’s blood drive.
The Council closed the meeting with a prayer.
The next meeting is October 10 at 7:30 p.m.