St. Joseph Parish Council Meeting

                        Sunday, July 17, 2005

 

Attending: Fr. David McGuinness, Jim Altmiller, Susan Gearhart, Maxine Guerrera, Pete Konenkamp, Marty Ledenham, Dana Moody, Rosemary Risse, Todd Storey, John Timmons and Evelyn Tejada ( excused absences for John Benca and Margarita Tejeda).

 

Father McGuinness opened the meeting with a prayer incorporating various scriptural verses and prayers of dedication that focused on our need as a parish to do God’s will and build a strong spiritual temple; one supportive of all members now and in the future.

 

Minutes of the June meeting were discussed and revised.

 

Pete opened the meeting with the introduction of Frank Milward, representative of the Capital Campaign Committee. Frank reported on the weekly progress of the committee meetings. They decided to seek the professional advise of the organization, Guidance and Giving, which has worked with many diocese in the country. The campaign will be in two phases; the feasibility four week phase and the Pledge Drive. The feasibility phase will include interviews with parishioners to assist in confirming realistic figures. The Pledge Drive will continue with interviews requesting pledges. The objectives of the Committee is to both bring in capital and to build community. The members of Guidance and Giving recommended that the parish should not proceed with the feasibility phase until there is more concrete information ie the cost of the site. Therefore, the committee has reworked their time line to allow the feasibility phase to begin the first week of September with the bulk of the work to be completed before Christmas. The Pledge Drive is to be launched in October with increased assistance from the Communication Committee. Frank received the grateful thanks of the parish council for his and the committee’s diligent work.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

SITE INVESTIGATION : In John Benca’s absence, Pete reported that the Committee  continues to be actively searching for a site with the assistance of Gerry Whitworth.

 

FINANCE: Jim reported that the collections for RE in the past six months have been $134,000. The regular collection did not diminish. The total yearly income was a little more than one million and money over cost was $360,000 (last year it was 99,000). He reported that the increased revenue is very encouraging. The efforts of all of keeping costs down has been successful.

 

MAINTENANCE: Jim also reported that he has established a yard work crew of 12-20 people. He hopes to expand to have people assisting with a variety of small maintenance jobs.

 

COMMUNICATIONS: Pete reported that the Photographic Service, Buson, of Ohio will begin their photo sittings in October for the parish directory. The committee is working with the Capital Campaign Committee on a slogan for  the Capital Campaign. They are also working on a church mission statement. He received several congrats for the Bulletin whose cover has  recently had various pictures of parish organizations, clubs, school classes, teachers etc and which now includes marriage and birth announcements.

 

LITURGY: Rosemary announced that the banners for  Ordinary Time were made by Jackie Methe. She said that seven or eight people have signed up for seasonal participation for Church decorating.It was announced that Deacon Jim Gaudin resigned as Chair of the Liturgy Committee.

 

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SEARCH COMMITTEE: Pete reported that a principal had been hired. Father David said that Barbara Bankston was approved by the archdiocese. She will begin work on 7/18/2005.

 

SCHOOL LIASON: Max reported that there had been no formal meeting. There is new carpet and the painting is completed and the classrooms are ready. New teachers have been hired for the 2nd,3rd,4th, and 8th grades. The PTO appreciates the support of the parish council for their magazine drive planned for August 30th.  All are excited that the CHRP weekend retreat will be held at St. Joseph’s School in August.

 

TOGETHER (PLANNING): John reported that the emphasis for the Planning Committee is for relocation at this time. Architectural and proposal plans are all contingent on site selection.There is a meeting 7/18/2005.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

LATINO LIASONS: Evelyn reported that many of the difficulties experienced with the Latino activities are related to lack of knowledge of regular protocols and to  communication problems. She is encouraged to increase communication and relieve many of the scheduling problems with use of the Website. Father encouraged more interaction between the Latino community and the parish. Rosemary invited Evelyn or a representative to attend the Liturgy meetings to better learn the workings and plannings of various liturgies.

 

SECOND SUNDAYS: Dana reported that the parish council is in charge of the next Second Sunday on August 13/14th. The CHRP men will sponsor September. There were no sign ups for October, November and December. Evelyn volunteered the Spanish Community to sponsor December saying that there would be a large attendance for the feast of Our Lady of Guadelupe.

 

PARISH PICNIC / FALL FESTIVAL: Dana said that she spoke with the new PTO president, Lisa Borst re a cooperative festival between the school and the church and it was decided that spring would be a better time due to the heavy fall schedule of the school. Marty suggested that we consider a Parish Picnic for October that includes a Mass and cookout perhaps at Sandy Creek Park without the  planning involvement of the school at this time but with invitations to all. This was agreeable to all.

 

BYLAWS: Jim said that there had been one meeting with changes recommended for the election of officers of the parish council. He handed out copies of the changes and requested that we read them and discuss them at the next meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

GOALS: Max asked whether or not the parish council was involved in goal setting. She asked for clarification of the role of parish council members as ‘liasons’ for other committees. There was discussion regarding council members not having voters rights but being active members of the various committees. Father suggested that after the business portion of our meetings we set aside a time to philosophically reflect on the direction that the parish is taking.

 

STAFF: Father announced the loss of a housekeeper and an office staff member that was leaving at the end of this month. He said that there was an immediate need for a part-time office staff position; most preferably bilingual.

 

Father closed the meeting with a prayer.