November 11, 2010 ST MARY PASTORAL COUNCIL MINUTES
November 11, 2010
Meeting was opened with a prayer led by Father Cook.
1. Roll Call: The following were in attendance----Father Cook, Kendra Arch, Patricia Biebl, Special Guest: Angie Cina, Jim Gillen, Dan Kotek, Dave Matheys, Mike McMahon, Dennis Olson, Terri Pedace, Marlene Norman, Julie Steiner, Don Tully. Absent was Karen Diehl.
2. Minutes from September 9 meeting: Were approved.
3. What Are They Saying Out There? : Suggestion---Placing the Religious Education schedule on the web site. Some Song books need to be replaced. (Father Cook said that we should wait to order new ones until the new Mass changes come about in Advent, 2011.) Favorable comments were heard about the new red Communion wine.
4. Reports: A) Parish Clubs--- Angie Cina reported on the following clubs:
a. Zarephath Club: will be meeting to hear about a member’s recent journey into Russia and the Ukraine.
b. Book Club: will meet Nov. 30 to review a book called “My Seven Lives”
c. Bible Club: Jim Graham will be the new leader for this fall.
d. Travel Club: The group recently enjoyed a fall excursion on the Mississippi River.
e. Cooking Club: Still without a leader. Father suggests that it be disbanded
for the present.
5. Religious Education Program: Dennis Olson reports the following: There are 204 registered students from preschool through grade 12; that classes are off to a good start; Confessions for Wednesday night will be December 1st with Father Mlsna assisting and Sunday students will be on December 5th and December 12th. Food drive for Grades 6-12 will start December 1. It will be in the Bulletin. Dennis will buy pizza for the winning class. Christmas Program for Pre-school through 5th Grade will be December 19 at 9:15 AM in the Church with Cookies and refreshments to follow. Classes will resume after Christmas on Wednesday January 5 and January 9.
6. Parish Nurse Program: ---Terri Pedace reports that she obtained more Bereavement Cards and that she has received occasional feedback. She continues monthly visits as time allows. She will be attending a Parish Network next week at Viterbo. Blood Pressures were taken after each Mass on the week end of the Parish Expo. The possibility of offering to have Blood Pressure readings done on a routine basis was suggested. It was decided to offer it on a quarterly basis starting in January. Father Cook suggests that other nurses in the parish be involved also so that Terri doesn’t have to be present for all Masses .
7. PCCW Report: Pat Biebl reports that the December Social gatherings after a week-end Masses will be omitted due to another activity conflict that Sunday. The Annual Fall Dinner was a success; the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner is coming up.
8. Joseph Club: Don Tully reports that there were two recent community service activities. The store room has been cleaned up. The club learned how to make wine at the last meeting with David Pedretti providing the demo. There is an upcoming Christmas dinner/dance ; and a card party this coming Sunday. He sought Father Cook’s advice on what to do with the money obtained from selling tickets prior to the event of the dinner/dance.
9. Finance Council:---Mike McMahon gave the following review of finances as of November 10, 2010:
a) Parish savings: $152,543.59
b) Capital campaign Fund: $40,546.94
c) Checking Account: $21,745.99 (for a total of $214,836.52)
d) Endowment Trust Fund: $55,299.21 (at M&I Bank in Milwaukee)
e) Diocesan Annual Appeal: Target $38,906. (Pledged: $18,460; under $20,446) Cash to date: $14,630 (under $24,276)
f) We belong To Christ Campaign: Target: $246,000 Pledged: $386,521, $141,321 over Target) Cash To date: $292,583.50 ($48,368.50 over Target.
Father Cook states that some of the money returned to the parish
is being used for Rectory improvements, like carpeting, remodeled
kitchen area, chairs and desk. It was suggested that an open house be held for any interested parishioners who would like to see the improvements.
10. Social Concerns Committee:
a. Fortney Hotel Ministry: Residents are so grateful. Dave Matheys suggested the possibility of increasing the ministry to another meal. Father Cook was open to it, suggesting the possibility of a soup meal.
b. Pax Christi: Father Cook said there was a good discussion at the last meeting. It gathers a good sized group of participants too.
c. Community Garden: Is done for the season. Father Cook reported that he got a call saying that parish would be charged $50.00 if the debris left at curb wasn’t picked up. Dennis and Cathy Lund resolved the problem and suggested that the debris may not have been properly prepared for pick-up.
d. JOURNEY: New flyer is out that lists upcoming activities.
e. PATHWAYS: new flyer is out listing what activities have been done and what activities are forthcoming. It was suggested that these youth activity flyers be placed on the website.
11. Old business:
a. Parish Directory, 2010: Done. Extra Directories are given to new Parishioners.
b. Parish Expo, 11/12/September: was successful. Participants were: Parish Pastoral Council; Parish Finance Council; Social Concerns Committee; Parish Choir; Readers; Communion Ministers; Ushers; Book Club; Bible Club; Zarephath Club (widows/widowers) Travel Club; Cooking Club; Parish Nurse; Parish Council of Catholic Women; Parish Quilters; Joseph Club (Men’s Club); Journey ( Youth Group Middle School); Pathways(Youth Group High School); Pax Christi; St Isidore Garden (Parish Garden) and Religious Education Program.
c. Diocesan Rural Life Day: Mark Brueggen had the honor of receiving a new Diocese Award for “Friend of The Family Farm”. Congratulations Mark.
12. New Business:
a. Rectory Improvements: most have been done.
b. Safe Environment Policies: Are required by Diocese of La Crosse as a result of inappropriate behaviors by staff and volunteers in the Catholic Church. Other: Pat Biebl reports that the room behind the Church kitchen needs new furniture. Father Cook says that a name needs to be assigned to that room besides “The Pie Room.”
c. An idea for an annual November remembrance for the deceased members of the Parish for the past year was presented. No opposition was expressed. Father Cook requests to have a meeting with Terri Pedace and Marlene Norman to make plans. It is an individual Parish activity as to how it can be accomplished.
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NEXT MEETING/ADJOURN: January 13, 2011 at 5 PM.
Meeting ended with a prayer.
Respectively Submitted,
Marlene Norman