Parish Council Meeting Minutes
November 09, 2014
Members Present: Mary Ann McLane, Mike Duffy, JoAnn Hedrick, Donna Ramage, Tom Leitch, Joan Budd, Patty Zaza, Patricia Szwed, James Davidson, Bob Straub, Dolores Lepori , Joe McClory, Fr. Bill Graney, Jim Nolan, Mike Reis Selvam Mascarenhas, Deacon John Falkowski
Members Absent: Rich Mayes
Visitors: Dick Schwer
Opening Prayer: Tom Leitch led a reading from John Bunyan’s Pilgrims Prayer.
Parish Buzz: Bob Straub mentioned that he heard of an appeal for volunteers by Dick and Carol Schwer at Mass that was very effective. Appeal included tasks that needed to be included and net result new volunteers were recruited. This type of appeal may be used by other groups in future as well.
A second topic discussed was an observation that people are gravitating to back rows at Mass. A strategy to encourage people to move up by eliminating the back row was considered but not acted on. Group felt it was better to make feel welcome and want to move up on their own.
New Business
Finance Committee Update: Jim Nolan reported that offertory collections are down 4% for the new fiscal year and this may be explained by a 4% decline in attendance. The deficit in offertory was partially offset by a monetary gift.
Bylaws Committee: Dick Schwer and Bob Straub presented a table containing the Resurrection Budget Parish Time Line which generated a discussion of who has the final approval of the budget the Parish Council or Finance Committee. Deacon John reminded us that the law states the Finance Committee is necessary to approve budget not the Parish Council. This is not consistent with our Bylaws. Mike Duffy suggested the process could be summarized as the Parish Council forwards overall priorities to Finance Council who helps allocate funds to meet these objectives.
In unfinished business from the Bylaws committee from October, Dick proposed an amendment to eliminate the Parish and Family Committee no vote was taken. Fr Bill wrote a letter a letter which detailed how Parish Staff with help of other groups such as Donut Ministry and Community Garden have picked upped the responsibilities of the Parish and Family committee. The Bylaws will be modified and vote will be taken to eliminate the Parish and Family Committee at December meeting.
New Business Resumed- Capital Campaign Update: Mike Reis reported that thus far contributions totaling $216,000 have been collected.
Ministry Development Task Force to set up guidelines for allocating funds for staff training. - Fr Bill asked for two volunteers from Parish Council, and Jim Nolan and Dolores Lepori did so.
Social Concerns Ministry Update- Sandy Landoll prepared the social concerns report and presentation was led by Fr Bill. All regular programs are going on as usual. Donations to the Rice Bowl and Thanksgiving Food Drives similar to 2013. Anticipating generous Christmas giving as well.
Prison Ministry added 4 new members and added the Baylor Facility.
Spring Davidson joined the San Marcos delegation this year. Fr Silverio from our sister parish San Jose el Rodeo recently visited Resurrection. We support catechist training in his parish and the medical work of the Marynoll sisters in Caterina.
Sandy maintains the weekly Social Concerns Newsletter which is well read and is sent to those desiring in as well as outside the parish. This allows Sandy to to maintain a network of contacts that allow for collaboration.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:00.