Pastoral Council Minutes
Meeting/Social on January 8, 2017
The meeting was called to order by Mike Rzucidlo.
JoAnn read a reflection on the Epiphany.
Members Present: Father Graney, Sharon Gidumal, Dolores Lepori, Ruthann Maisonet, Mike Reis, Mike Rzucidlo, Ellen Turano, Chip Schussler, Maritza Posa-Grise, Tina Prior, Rich Mayes, Mary Louise Chesley-Cora, JoAnn Hedrick.
Members Absent: Deb Buckels, Anita Delaney, Susan Dagenais, Deacon John Falkowski.
Guests: Nancy Maloney, Ruth Sanders.
The minutes of the December 11, 2016 meeting were approved with one correction. Dolores Lepori was not in attendance.
Parish Buzz: Sharon is now President of the Board at Friendship House. She stated that there will soon be an opening for a new Executive Director at Friendship House as Bill Perkins plans to retire. She has information and application forms and will send the information to Sandy in an effort to spread the word. She said that Code Purple goes into action when temperatures reach a wind chill of 15. Volunteers are always needed and welcome. This is a tough time of year for people who work with the homeless.
Ruth Sanders reported that 1,000 people attended Christmas Masses, 545 of whom attended the first Mass at 4:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve. She further stated that 131parishioners served as ministers including 23 young adults who had been away and returned to Resurrection for Christmas. First Reconciliation was held yesterday. 17 children participated, most of whom were second graders.
Unfinished Business: There is not a recommendation at this time regarding goal setting. Communications are ongoing among the subgroups. Suggestions include seeking input from the community, perhaps in the form of a questionnaire people would answer after the homily at Mass. It was noted that it’s difficult to engage people. Perhaps a scavenger hunt on the website would pique interest if a small prize were offered such as a holy card, a bookmark or a free doughnut. Father noted that he has had success when he asks people directly to do something rather than waiting for volunteers. Young families with children in CFP need to be engaged and Nancy Maloney will be consulted about ways to do this.
In response to a suggestion that the stewards on Council get re-activated, Father brought lists of parishioners broken down into the groups represented by each steward along with a proposed script to be used when making phone calls to those who are represented by each steward.
New Business: The Council unanimously approved the election of the Trustees for 2017 as required by Delaware law.
Father distributed an information sheet about an upcoming prayer vigil for Justice, Peace, and Human Dignity to be held at St. Catherine of Sienna parish on January 17, 2017. He requested that Resurrection parishioners participate. It will involve ministers from the City of Wilmington networking with officials from Red Clay School District and citizens in an effort to offer hope and support.
Chip distributed copies of the Finance Council’s second quarter report, a copy of which is attached, and stated that the stewardship weekend yielded some positive results in the form of increased offertory giving as well as additional parishioners signing up for electronic giving. At this time, we are on track with the budget.