May 9, 2011 PASTORAL COUNCIL MINUTES
Monday, May 9 ,2011
Meeting was opened with a prayer called “That All May Be One”
Roll Call: Present were: Father Cook, Kendra Arch, Patricia Biebl, Special Guest; Angie Cina, Dan Kotek, Dave Matheys, Terri Pedace, Marlene Norman, Julie Steiner, and Don Tully. Excused absences were: Karen Diehl, Jim Gillen, Mike McMahon, Dennis Olson.
Review of minutes from meeting of March 10, 2011: Terri Pedace asked that the minutes be amended to say “Terri Pedace requested parish support for the registration fee for her attendance at the Annual Parish Nurse Renewal Day.”
Getting the spirit of the parish: “What are they saying out there”? Comments heard at the Lenten Ecumenical services by non-parishioners; “Father Cook’s sermons are very meaningful; St. Mary’s has a beautiful sounding choir.”
Reports: a] PARISH CLUBS: Angie Cina reports on the following—Book Club: Club is developing a new book list; size of club is growing; book for May is “Citizens of London”. Pat Biebel suggested that a good book to read is called “ Molokai . --Bible Club: Will restart in the fall. –Travel Club: doesn’t have anything planned at the present.—Zarephath Club: met earlier this month for games of “500”. Next gathering is expected to be in August.
b] RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: Program ended for the season after Holy Week; lower grades one week ago last Sunday. Vacation Bible School will be held in August. May Crowning was held earlier this month.
c] PARISH NURSE PROGRAM: Terri Pedace reports that this her last attendance at the Parish Pastoral Council Meeting as she and her husband will be moving to La Crosse. Her attendance at the “Forgiveness” conference had a good speaker and offered a great opportunity for networking. Terri read her letter of resignation. She is letting her clients know, but still plans to do some activities with bereavement for a while. Father Cook is going to ask the secretary to send out the bereavement cards.
d] PCCW REPORT: Patricia Biebl reports that the Parish Banquet will be held May 18th at 6 PM; Roses were sold on the designated Sunday; PCCW will support the speaker who will be talking about Foster Children between the AM Masses on May 15th, lunch will be served at this time also. Ms. Biebl reports that all the Chairwomen are doing a great job. High school graduates breakfast will be held May 29th. There are approximately 17-18 graduates.
e] JOSEPH CLUB: Don Tully reports that there were approximately 160 people served at the Mother’s Day breakfasts. The Parish Picnic will be June 19; the Westby band can’t perform this year, a replacement is being sought; (some suggestions were offered.) Pew removal will be done by Joseph Club prior to floors being redone; screws have been loosened, with much difficulty encountered in some instances. Scholarship Plan-- Terry Bullock is to help Foster Children in our area to have access to the Driver Education program.
f] FINANCE COUNCIL: ---Recent Capital Improvements : Pew staining.---Possible Pending Capital Improvements: Church floor polishing (15-19 May); new garden on slope on south side of church; new landscaping in front of rectory to prevent water leakage into basement; re-wiring eight light fixtures in church; replace lost roof tiles on church Atrium; new storage garage behind rectory ; ten pew ends to be replaced. --- Diocesan Annual Appeal: Target is $38,906; Pledged is $29,640; Cash Total is $27,002.---We Belong To Christ Capital Campaign: Target is $246,000; Pledged is $386,966; Cash to date is $328,442.---Endowment Trust Fund: Total is $70,884 (as of April 30)
g] SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE: ---Fortney Hotel Ministry; continues to be a success. (Extra food that was left from Mother’s Day breakfast was taken to the Hotel. Patricia Biebl requests that t no food of any kind be left in the kitchen after an activity ).---Pax Christi: Will be meeting this week.---Community Garden: needs more participants.
h] JOURNEY: Toured St Rose in La Crosse. They plan to do this bi-annually. They have gone roller skating; participated in the Bethel Home egg hunt. They plan to work at the Parish Picnic. They enjoyed doing the Scavenger Hunt. This is done approximately one time every four years.
i] PATHWAYS: Postponed trip to Prairie Du Chien for lack of interest at this time. Father Cook reports that they put on a “great” spaghetti dinner. They plan to help at the Parish Picnic. Adult leadership will be divided up per each event.
OLD BUSINESS: “THE PIE ROOM”---Plans are currently put on hold.
OTHER---Father has contacted someone to do the Parish Calendar for the website.
NEW BUSINESS Rectory Improvements: A new Maytag refrigerator has been installed; still need a new recliner and landscaping outdoors.
Mission Statement: Father asks that the word “service”” be added after sacred worship.
OTHER---Wooden plugs to cover screws in church pews; Crosses on pew sides barely visible; Occasional odor in women's bathroom downstairs thought to possibly be due to lack of water in the trap; question if exhaust fan(s) in upstairs bathroom is/are functioning properly. Syrup bottles in kitchen—why are they present? (Don Tully will address this).
NEXT MEETING/ ADJOURN: July 11th, 2011 at 5 PM.--- Meeting adjourned with the “Our Father”.