St. Joseph Parish Council Meeting
Attending: Fr. David McGuinness, Jim Altmiller, Louise Benjamin, June Compton, Susan Gearhart, Pete Konenkamp, Marty Ledenham, Chet Malanoski, Carolyn McFall, Dana Moody, Rosemary Risse, Todd Story, Margarita Tejeda
Minutes of February 13 regularly scheduled meeting and February 27 called-meeting approved.
Father McGuinness opened the meeting with a prayer.
Don Ragonia of the Planning Committee reviewed the three plans for the parish submitted last fall: 1) renovating the present site, 2) razing the present site and rebuilding, and 3) selling the current facilities and moving to another site. The Planning Committee members visited some sites, which met established criteria, including cost of site, location of site, environment at site, and what might need to be done to site to meet parish’s needs. Don also reported that the Capital Campaign Committee contacted 12 other parishes about the capital campaign drive. A Planning Committee report including cost, square footage, and design elements for each of the three options facing the parish will be presented first to Father and Parish Council and then to the full parish. Recommendations will be made after feedback from all constituencies.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
FINANCE: Jim reported that parish finances are improving. Contributions to Religious Education are up. Father McGuinness noted that the collection is up 18-percent overall.
MAINTENCENCE: No report
STEWARDSHIP: No report
COMMUNICATIONS: Pete reported that Communications Committee is investigating magnets with parish information (Mass times, phone numbers, WebSite information). Pete also reported the committee is discussing a redesign of the bulletin and putting the parish registration form on-line.
LITURGY: Carolyn reported that the Penance service is tomorrow night at 7 p.m. and Holy Week/Easter schedules are set. St. Joseph’s Feast Day will be celebrated on Saturday, March 19, with the 8:30 a.m. Mass followed by litany and the Rosary. That evening, the St. Patrick’s Dance will conclude the parish’s celebration.
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SEARCH COMMITTEE: Pete reported that the Committee is awaiting reference checks on the principal candidates. Their next meeting is March 23rd.
SITE COMMITTEE: Chet added additional information to report Don presented. Chet noted that the committee looked at sites of at least 30 acres within a 15-mile radius of our current site, but would expand the search area if needed.
OLD BUSINESS:
NURSERY: Todd reported that the nursery committee met February 15th. This meeting was largely organizational.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH RECOGNITION: Todd also reported that he will contact Kim Rogers at First Baptist Church about an appropriate ecumenical gesture from the parish to the First Baptist church on celebrating its 175th anniversary.
SAFETY/SECURITY ISSUES: Pete reported that cameras needing adjustment will be moved and/or refocused Tuesday.
HOUSING SEARCH: Nothing new to report. The search continues.
STEPHEN’S MINISTRY: June reported that two directors are needed for the ministry.
SECOND SUNDAY SOCIALS: Dana reported that the socials are booked through September except for July. PTO will host April’s social; Sisters’ Appreciation group, May; and Women’s CRHP, June. July is open. The Parish Council will host August’s social, and Men’s CRHP, September.
SISTERS’ APPRECIATION PROJECT: Dana stated that an event is being planned for May.
RCIA RECEPTION: Rosemary reported the reception will be in the rectory after Holy Saturday services.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Dana reported nominations for Parish Council will close Monday. She and the other members of the committee – Jim, Sue, and Louise – will meet Tuesday to begin to draw up the ballot. Announcements about the ballot will be read at Mass next weekend and will appear in subsequent weekly bulletins. Elections will be held the weekend of April 16-17. New parish council members will join the Council June 1.
NEW BUSINESS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Father announced collections are up and that attendance at the Hispanic Masses has been growing. Marty noted CRHP will be holding a St. Joseph’s Novena. Chet said the Knights of Columbus were developing a golf tournament. Caroyln announced the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life will be May 13. St. Joseph’s Women’s Council is sponsoring a team, but parish-wide participation is desired. Rosemary said the Genocide Awareness Project will be March 21-22 at the Tate Center on the UGA campus.
The Council closed the meeting with a prayer.
The next meeting will be Sunday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m.