St. Joseph Parish Council Meeting
Attending: Fr. David McGuinness, Jim Altmiller, June Compton, Susan Gearhart, Pete Konenkamp, Marty Ledenham, Chet Malanoski, Carolyn McFall, Dana Moody, Rosemary Risse, Todd Story, Margarita Tejeda
Father McGuinness opened the meeting with a prayer.
Minutes of the March 6 regularly scheduled meeting were approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
FINANCE: No report.
MAINTENCENCE: Jim Altmiller reported that one tree had been taken down and it would be
removed in the following week.
STEWARDSHIP: No report
COMMUNICATIONS: Pete Konenkamp reported successful negotiations with the publishers of the church bulletin so that two or three times a month upcoming events will be featured on its cover. Static information will be found inside of the bulletin. Nancy Hobart is working with this. Compliments were received on the St. Joseph Newsletter distributed in this week’s bulletin.
LITURGY: Carolyn McFall did not attend this meeting but learned that there were no Pentecost banners made yet. Rosemary Risse knew of previously purchased fabric used last year and volunteered to make them. Marty Ledenham volunteered to assist and other suggestions for assistance were noted.
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SEARCH COMMITTEE: Pete Konenkamp reported that it was necessary to begin a new search for a school principal. He is confident that we will expediently acquire a qualified principal.
SITE COMMITTEE: Chet Malanoski reported there was no additional news than has been presented at the Town Hall Meetings.
OLD BUSINESS:
NURSERY: Todd Story reported that the nursery has been painted. A meeting for development policy and procedures is planned.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH RECOGNITION: Todd Story reported that a tree will be purchased as a gift to the First Baptist Church for its 175th anniversary from our parish.
SAFETY/SECURITY ISSUES: Pete Konenkamp reported that all surveillance equipment are up and running. Two incidences have already demonstrated the value of having the recordings. He will contact the company which installed the security system to cover the bare wires left exposed in Fr. McGuinness’ office.
Twelve ushers have been trained to use the defibrillator and another session of training is planned that will include certification for CPR.
HOUSING SEARCH: There is nothing new to report. The search continues. Fr. McGuinness finds it necessary to call the police several times a week because of excessive noise from the nightclub across from the church, many times at 3:00 a.m.
STEPHEN’S MINISTRY: June Compton reported that Barbara Bremus has moved. There are three volunteers to take the Stephen’s Ministry leadership training. Debby Moriarity and Linda Eberenz will go to Orlando in June for this training and Larry Sanborn will go at a later date. Even though there have been substantial monetary donations to subsidize the expense of this program additional funds are needed. The Knights of Columbus are donating part of the receipts from Art Auction to Stephen’s Ministry funding.
Since we are now registered it is possible to call on the Stephen’s Ministers already active in Athens, should Father identify someone needing this ministry.
SECOND SUNDAY SOCIALS: The Sisters’ appreciation project on May 22 takes the place of the Second Sunday Social.
SISTERS’ APPRECIATION PROJECT: Dana Moody reported that there will be a special Mass at 12:00 noon on May 22 to show our appreciation to the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, for their dedication to St. Joseph School these many years. Anne Vencill will coordinate the liturgy of this Mass and requests assistance. A cook-out is planned for 2:00 p.m. for which tickets will be distributed in the parish and school for an account of the number for whom to prepare. All past sisters and teachers and alumni associated with St. Joseph School and those in the present community who would like to express their appreciation to the sisters are invited. Avenues of extending this invitation are solicited.
NEW BUSINESS:
ELECTION BY-LAWS: Jim Altmiller made a motion to revise the present election by-laws. Because of the new council assembles in June the motion was tabled.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Father McGuinness announced that a bi-lingual UGA doctoral student has been employed to work in the office four hours each work day through September.
He also informed us that Kathy Hart is resigning at the end of May thereby necessitating the hiring of a new R.E. Director.
The Capital Campaign has met with two professional groups, one from Athens and one from Florida. It will be toward the end of the week before the results of the preference surveys come out.
The parish ballots for the incoming Parish Council members were tabulated and results will be announced following the new member’s acceptances.
The Council closed the meeting with a prayer.
The next meeting will be Sunday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m.