ST. JOSEPH PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES
FEBRUARY 11, 2007
Attending: John Benca, Charles Dolan, Pete Konenkamp, Monica Kucher Mueller, Marty Ledenham, Rosemary Risse, Todd Story, Evelyn Tejada, Terry Trotochaud, Hank Wright, Father Jacques Fabre, Father David McGuinness.
Absent: Max Guerrera
Pete opened the meeting with the Prayer of St. Francis. The minutes were reviewed and approved.
Pete opened the meeting with an update on the closing of the Epps Bridge property. He said that an Archdiocesan condition requiring all seven of the prospective sellers to be present at the closing delayed the closing. This delay overextended our contract time period and the contract is now null and void. We need to either have the archdiocese agree to proceed with the closing with only six of the seven agreeable sellers or we need to agree to the new offer countered by the seventh seller (who is currently asking for more money). Father asked for a committee to meet after the meeting to review the details and to plan proper communications with the archdiocese (Catholic Constructions). John Benca, Terry, Hank and Monica volunteered. After further discussion, however, there was consensus that Father act immediately in informing the archdiocese that we need to close as soon as possible with either the current six or under the new conditions of the seventh seller.
Planning/Steering: There has been no meeting.
Capital Campaign: Frank Milward reported to Pete that with contributions collected we should be at the $2.8 million mark from 560 families. The audit of the Capital Campaign has been concluded. Nancy has rectified Max’s concern regarding the electronic transfers of monies earmarked for the Capital Campaign.
Finance: Terry reported that the audit went well. Members have met and reviewed and compared this audit report with past audits. The Finance Committee is considering purchasing a safe to be kept in the office. Father David suggested that this be decided at our next meeting with recommendations from the Finance Committee.
Communications/Welcoming: Mark Fitzgerald from Diocesan Publications has met for completion of the welcome packet. Pete is currently working with yearly update options. We will start with 1000 copies. Pete recommended that Hank go to the SJC web to get Don Norris’ information regarding updating the various church groups.
Pete reported that there have been intermittent problems with our Charter server. Pete is looking for list-serves. He is considering MaBell DSL but noted that Jim, in the office, has had problems with that server as well. The press release for the property purchase announcement stands ready.
Nominations: Charles reported that we have nine qualified nominees for the four positions. No more announcements will be made but the nomination box will remain available until February 28th.
Maintenance: John Benca reported on the storm water condition. He recommended four simple remedies to deter the basement flooding: 1) Interrupt the water flow from the parking lot by extending the curb by the school and adding speed bump-like deterrents. Our present drain in the parking lot isn’t sufficient and adding a drain would be too expensive. 2) Add two more downspouts to the gutters that overflow by the stairwell leading to the basement. Our present gutter has only two downspouts. 3) Add an additional top step to the stairs going down to the basement to block the flow down the steps. 4) Roto-rooter the drain under the veranda. This drain does not flow effectively and we have no blueprints to determine where it does flow. Yet another approach would be to raise the sill of the door to the basement. He estimated that the cost for the four approaches might be between $3500 and $5000. John Timmons motioned that we act on the four recommendations. Hank amended that we add a $4000 cap. This motion was seconded by Evelyn and approved by all.
Liturgy: Rosemary solicited ideas for the Lenten/Easter decorations.
Hispanics: Evelyn said that the leaders of the Hispanic community have not met (RCIA and Catholic Reformation that Father Refugio initiated) since November awaiting Father Jacques’ leadership. They have continued to meet for the prayer meetings. She has books on Baptism but hasn’t yet reviewed them. The “Way of the Cross” which has been presented ‘live’ on Good Friday outdoors was announced Sunday but the weekly Lenten Friday Stations have not been planned. She expressed disappointment that there were no nominees for parish council from the “Spanish Mass”. There will be English/Spanish announcements on February 14th/15th for the parish council vote. Charles encouraged Evelyn to get nominees from the Spanish community before the February 28th deadline. She is interested in pursuing the EWTN retreat. In the past the Wednesday masses have alternated between the trailer parks. Father Jacques will be resuming these Wednesday masses. Father David announced that he has hired a 20hr/wk office staff member who speaks Spanish.
School: Monica reported that the extended day program at St. Joseph’s must also be accredited; this process should be completed by the end of next year. The school uniform policy is being revised and will present fewer options for the students and less monitoring by the teachers. The Uniform Depot from Alpharetta will soon have an office near Winder. They have been very accommodating with our needs, including helping with the uniform swap, providing family assistance and providing less expensive uniforms. Mrs. Bankston is investigating getting blazers for more formal events. Monica said that there will be a new policy for using the parish hall on the weekends due to the disrepair noted on consecutive Mondays especially after the surgery of our custodian, Bertin. To avoid having the students clean the parish hall on Monday mornings, a check sheet will be used in order to rent the parish hall and will include clean up requirements and/or fees. The Open House brought many new applications for next year’s enrollment.
Father reiterated that all are very pleased with Mrs. Bankston’s leadership and wish for her to continue as principal in spite of the ‘non-Catholic’ stipulation. The ad for a principal will continue to run per protocol. All staff at the school have yearly contracts he said.
Stations of the Cross: Hank reported that art restorer, Libby Hatmaker, friend and associate of parishioners John and Jackie Methe, is committed to finishing the restoration of one station for $300. He said that the current men’s CRHP will pay for this station and recommends that other CRHP groups ‘sponsor’ a station so that all will be restored. All stations, in their present status, will be displayed by the beginning of Lent.
Vacuum: Hank said that the Max’s mother’s Kirby has been repaired with a bill for $80.07. Kurt will pick up the vacuum.
NEW BUSINESS
EWTN: Rosemary said that the pilgrimage on February 28th-29th is all prepared including accommodations, meals, bus transportation, presentations and an audience appearance on EWTN Live with Mitch Pacwa. She anticipates a minimum of 35 pilgrims . She said that she has emailed the flyer to Evelyn so that she can translate it into Spanish.
Father closed the meeting with a prayer.
Pete announced that the next meeting will be March 11th at 7:30 pm.