Pastoral Council Business Minutes
August 14, 2016
7:00pm to 9:00 p.m.
Members Present: Joe Quinn, Ruth Ann Maisonet, Andre Dagenais for Sue Dagenais, Deb Buckels, Ellen Turano, Sharon Gidumal, Maritza Poza-Grise, JoAnn Hedrick, Dolores Lepori, Donna Ramage for Tina Prior, Mike Reis, Mike Rzucidlo, Deacon John Falkowski, Father Bill Graney,
Members Excused Absent: Tina Prior, Sue Dagenais
Members Absent: Joe McClory, Mary Louise Chesley -Cora, Chip Schussler, Rich Mayes, Religious Ed Committee Rep
Open Position: Youth Rep to Pastoral Council
Visiting: Dick Schwer
Reflections: Maritza Poza-Grise led reflection on how Jesus prayed. Jesus called us to step out of the boat and walk with him. All prayed: “Lord Jesus, you are compassionate, and fully understand our human weakness. You know our fears, the things that hold us back from trusting you and from becoming fully ourselves. But you won’t let us use those things as an excuse. You always challenge us to grow, and with the challenge comes the grace to meet it. Thank you for caring so much about us. Amen.”
Meeting called to order by Mike Reis at 7:00 p.m.
Addition to Agenda: none
Donna Ramage took roll call with 12 voting members attending. July 2016 minutes were approved with an edit to attendance as Joe Quinn was not present.
Buzz: A card for Sue Dagenais was signed by the members present.
Deb Buckels reported that 16 parishioners volunteered and helped with the 7/24/16 Family Promise week. The next hosting in which Resurrection and Ebenezer will be involved is the week of 11/13/16. There is a 1 hour training session scheduled by Family Promise for those who are interested in having direct contact with the homeless on 9/19/16 at 7pm at Ebenezer Church. Discussion occurred on raising awareness and educating parishioners about Friendship House and Family Promise. Elaine Little would like to involve the children of Resurrection in helping the homeless.
Sharon Gidumal invited any Parishioner who has volunteered at the Friendship House to their Volunteer picnic on Sunday 8/21/16 at Brandywine Springs Park. Friendship House is expanding their ministry into the Pike Creek area. A training session is scheduled for Saturday 9/27/16 for those interested in the Friendship House ministry. The training session information will also be posted on the Social Concerns website.
Committee Reports: None
Unfinished Business:
The Alternate pool list was distributed for completion. The Pastoral Council list was also passed for donut counter sign up after the 5:30 Mass on the Sunday’s that Council meets. The purpose of donuts after the Sunday evening Mass is to build community.
New Business:
September Retreat Planning Committee: The retreat is 9/11/16 from 3pm to approximately 9pm at the Parish. The Committee met in July with Ruth Sanders and Father Bill. The theme was decided as well as a decision to hold the goal setting session at a meeting separate from the retreat. Maritza Poza-Grise and Sharon Gidumal volunteered to facilitate the goal setting in October. JoAnn Hedrick volunteered to distribute the 5 Core Initiatives which have been the focus of the Pastoral Council goal setting for the past 2 years. The Retreat planning committee will meet again in late August. Dick Schwer and Joe Quinn will assist with the Council elections for the Executive Officers which are held after the meal. The retreat meal consists of a pot luck supper. The sign up list was passed around and will be sent electronically for those not present. Contact Ruth Ann Maisonet for your contribution to the meal.
Break: Maritza Posa-Grise provided the refreshments.
Pastor’s Comments and Advice:
Father raised a question on how to connect with the regular non-registered 5:30 pm Sunday Mass attendees. A thought for future goal setting could involve how to increase their engagement in the Parish.
Father attended a summer gathering of Seminarians and Priests. The Bishop has had conversations with other Bishops about Parish Life Directors (PLD) but he does not project action within the Diocese of Wilmington for at least 3 years. He projects that training will be an issue because in the past, Parish Life Directors were Religious females. Now the pool has changed. The PLD would handle the Administrative duties of a Parish and the Priest would handle the sacraments.
Father also shared that Anointing of the Sick has been happening in the Chapel after Mass. A notice will be placed in the Bulletin as a reminder.
Sign-up sheets for the small faith sharing groups will soon be posted in the gathering space. Ideas for re-energizing small group faith sharing can be sent to Deacon John. There is a Paulist Evangelization series called “Journey with Jesus” which can be a resource for small group discussion starters.
Father Bill also gave an update on the Kitchen Expansion Project: A portion of the proceeds from the Sustaining Hope for the future Campaign are designated for the kitchen project. Bob Dudek and Rich Mayes will be working with a task force to develop a Case statement to describe why we need this and what is the project all about. Very few parishioners attended the winter meetings held by Bob Dudek where the design plan was shared and stakeholder input was sought.
Father Bill shared the Bishop’s Consolidation Plan which has us involved with other parishes in sharing taize prayer, reconciliation services and Lenten activities. How this will impact Resurrection is that Council will consider within the next year the feasibility of having one 5:30 Mass. We were asked to ponder “If I were in charge, what would I do?”
Closing Prayer: The meeting ended with the prayer “Glory Be to the Father.”
Adjournment: by Mike Reis at 9:00pm.
Next PC Meeting: Retreat-September 11, 2015 from 3p-9pm