Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Mike Rzucidlo.
Reflection: Deb Buckels shared a prayer entitled “At Day’s End”; also six gifts that don’t cost a cent. Father Graney read the prayer of discernment that the Council had adopted during the fall retreat.
Members Present: Father Graney, Mike Rzucidlo, Sharon Gidumal, Tina Prior, Heather Little, Deb Buckels, Ruthann Maisonet, Maritza Poza-Grise, John Falkowski, Mary Louise Chesley-Cora, Mike Reis, Anita Delaney, Joe Budd for Ellen Turano, Rich Mayes, Kathy Swain, Donna Ramage for Dolores Lepori, JoAnn Hedrick.
Members Absent: Chip Schussler.
Guests: Nancy Maloney, Dick Schwer, Ruth Sanders.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the March meeting were approved as submitted. However, the secretary noted that Dolores Lepori had been absent from the March meeting.
New Member: Kathy Swain was introduced as a new appointee, filling the vacancy created by an earlier resignation.
Parish Buzz:
Deb Buckels mentioned the ad in the Hockessin News inviting people to attend the triduum services at Resurrection.
She also inquired about a farewell celebration for Father Corrigan. It was noted that Father tends to avoid being the center of attention and that it’s questionable whether the guest of honor would attend an event being held in his honor.
The new look on the front of the bulletin was mentioned with approval.
Nancy Maloney announced that April 28 is the date for a Spring Fling from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. for the youngsters. At that time they will fill “comfort bags” for children in foster care which will be donated to Children’s Choice. Donations of toiletries, teddy bears, coloring books and crayons, word search books, decks of cards, etc. are requested to be delivered to bins in the hallway outside the youth room by April 27. She also requested volunteers to help the evening of the Spring Fling.
Nancy announced that the parish picnic will be held on May 21 this year. There will be an organizational meeting on April 27.
Father Graney announced that people feel better about the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass as attendance has increased due to CFP and the cancellation of the 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass. However, income is down about 10%.
Mike Rzucidlo said that he had received a request to start the meetings earlier than 7:00 p.m. The suggestion was to begin at 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. A vote was taken and a 6:30 p.m. start time was approved. Discussion ensued about the earlier decision to have snacks after the meeting rather than taking a break for fellowship during the meeting. Not everyone stays after the meeting to have snacks and to socialize. It was decided that snacks are not necessary especially since we’ll be starting earlier and some people will arrive just after their dinner. Whoever has signed up to provide snacks will be expected to bring bottled water only and to have it available before the meeting so people can come early and mix and mingle at that time.
Unfinished Business:
Father wondered what the handicap is with stewards failing to make phone calls to their constituents. It was mentioned that most people do not answer calls from numbers they don’t recognize, forcing a caller to leave a message; and many people no longer have land lines. Stewards were asked to make 12-15 phone calls before the next meeting. Suggested topics of discussion were letting people know about the parish picnic on May 21, asking them what their favorite Mass is, and asking them for their e-mail address.
It was suggested that a weekly or every other week electronic newsletter be instituted that would include a link to the online weekly bulletin.
Father Graney mentioned that at least fifty families attend Resurrection regularly and are not registered.
With regard to our efforts to recruit new and hopefully young parishioners, Maritza Poza-Grise recommended two one hour long webinars entitled “Evangelization with the Game-Changing Generation”. She will e-mail a link to the site and suggested that, if you don’t have time to listen to both, the second will review the first one and address the meat of the issue.
The action items from the last meeting included a commitment from Sharon Gidumal to meet with Sandy Landoll and create a list of the many ministerial opportunities at Resurrection along with contact information for each. She has not had an opportunity to meet with Sandy to date.
Kathy Swain mentioned that there’s a parish in New Jersey that produces a bound book listing all of its ministries. Father Graney was familiar with it and said that the pastor is known for his book.
Tina Prior suggested that it might be time for a new parish directory. Father replied that the vendor who prepared the directory in the past is out of business and technology has drastically changed the way directories are published.
Committee Reports: Sharon Gidumal announced that the board at Friendship House has hired a replacement executive director – Kim Eppihimer. She will replace Bill Perkins and work with him until the end of the year. He will remain involved with Friendship House after his retirement.
Elections Committee: Dick Schwer reported that there are five nominees, four for steward and one for trustee. The candidates for steward are: Al Mercatante, Hugh Kelly, Jerry Abrams, and Michael Mitchell; for trustee the candidate is Robert Short. JoAnn Hedrick announced that she plans to run for another term as steward. A sign-up sheet was circulated for members to sign up to work at the elections table after masses on the weekends of May 6 and 7 and May 20 and 21.
New Business: Rich Mayes reported that the Buildings and Grounds Committee has been busy with all of the rain we’ve had recently. The stucco above the roof line has been sealed and there’s no more leakage in that area.
The culvert near the staff entrance was plugged up with mud causing flooding. The mud was scooped out and the culvert was lined with stone.
Kitchen renovations had been discussed a year or so ago but nothing was done because the idea was not popular. A decision has been made to optimize the space we have and new cabinets and countertops will be installed as well as a double oven. There will also be a patio outside the gathering space near the kitchen.
The number one toilet in the ladies rest room will be replaced.
The roof over the worship space is rubber with stones on top. There are some small leaks. That roofing method is outdated but it’s necessary to preserve it in our case in order to be cost effective.
Pastor’s Comments: The formal announcement of Father Greg’s retirement will be made when the annual clergy changes are announced in May or June. An announcement will also be made regarding Father Graney remaining at Resurrection. The term for a pastor is six years. He has served two six year terms and one year as administrator before being named pastor.
Father announced that John Werner is retiring at the end of June and discussion is underway regarding how his duties will be distributed.
The meeting was adjourned followed by a closing prayer.