Parish Council Minutes

September 9, 2007

 

 

Members Present: Ed Fechtel (President and chair), Father David, Father Jacques, Charles Dolan, David Gomez, Berti Lopez, Frank Milward, Monica Mueller, Evelyn Tejada, John Timmons, Terry Trotochaud, Hank Wright

 

Excused: John Benca, Maxine Guerrera

 

Special invitees: Donovan Yarnell, Principal St Joseph School; Benedicte Milward, Director Office of Religious Education St Joseph Parish

 

In the absence of Secretary, minutes were recorded by F. Milward

 

1. Approval of minutes, Meeting July 8th, 2007: Minutes will be reviewed and approved at next meeting

 

2. Introduction of Mr. Donovan Yarnell, Principal St Joseph School

            . General discussion and introductions

            . General review of school data and objectives

            . Special focus on objectives for growth and for increase of diversity through    increased use of available financial aide

            . Initial discussion on collaboration for fund raising (including Capital Campaign). To be followed up as the Campaign is reinitiated

 

3. Critique of Retreat of August 26th, 2007

            . The retreat was widely appreciated as an excellent opportunity for open discussion on many topics

            . As a point of order applicable to other Parish Council meetings as well, a limitation on the time on each topic was proposed and supported. Also the need to encourage all to speak was emphasized.

            . For next meeting, some more time for reflection will be set aside.

            . The meeting allowed Parish Council to establish goals for 2007 (see next point)

            . The Council will hold a retreat next summer at the tentative date of  August 21st, 2008

 

 

4. Parish Council Objectives

            Ed Fechtel presented a draft of Parish Council objectives for 2007/2008. These were reviewed and discussed and will be captured in a separate document

 

 

 

 

5.  Reports from Parish Finance Council and Committees

            Finance: Terry Trotochaud, member of Parish Council and Finance Council presented a draft statement of accounts. This document will be finalized and formatted for communication to the Parish (October 6 and 7). Financial statements will be communicated to the Parish every 6 months.

            Parish Council will meet with the chair of the Finance Committee on a regular basis to ensure coordination and develop best practices (e.g. financing a specific activity). Tim Yanke will be invited to attend the next Council Meeting in October.

 

            Nursery: Berti Lopez presented a proposal prepared by Becky Olson for a reorganization and significant improvement of the nursery service for all masses. The proposal was discussed in detail. Parish Council supports this objective unanimously and enthusiastically and encourages the Committee to move forward rapidly with a recommendation to Father David. The space for this nursery was discussed and reservations concerning the basement expressed. Other solutions were discussed and will be evaluated, including coordinating with a nursery organized by the RE office on Sunday mornings at the school. The committee will integrate these suggestions and finalize the project in the next few weeks for review at next meeting

 

            Parish Unity: One objective from the Council Retreat was the establishment of a Committee to work on coordination and unity between the different groups that constitute our parish. A date for this meeting is being sought. The objectives will be reviewed with our pastors

 

6. Religious education

            Parish Council heard a brief report on the activity of the RE department. Approximately 740 children are registered. The teaching staff roster is complete. Adult Faith formation is starting.

            Benedicte Milward then presented the project “A year with the Virgin Mary”: once a month a presentation of an apparition of the Virgin Mary will be presented at a conference to be held in the church from 7:00-8:00. The week following each presentation, at the same time, a rosary will be said for our parish and the people of the country/continent where that apparition occurred. This will be an opportunity for our richly diverse community to share the story of these important events. It was recommended that in December this event be coordinated with the festivities for our lady of Guadalupe.

 

7.  Other business

            Ed Fechtel will evaluate with the Knights the possibility to organize a parish picnic.

 

8.  Various topics from Fr. David

            The women’s CRHP 6 retreat was this Sunday and brought together a large group of 35. We were reminded to recruit CRHP5 women in our different ministries

 

            Epps Bridge: The option for the additional 10 acres is now approved and executed. Documents for submission to Clarke County are being prepared with an objective to obtain approval in December.

 

 

Report Submitted by Frank Milward