Pastoral Council Business Minutes August 10, 2014 7:00pm
Members Present: MaryAnn McLane, Mike Duffy, Rich Mayes, JoAnn Hedrick, Donna Ramage, Selvam Mascarenhas, Jim Murray for Tom Leitch, Joan Budd, James Davidson, Leo McDermott for Bob Straub, Deacon John Falkowski, Joe McClory, Fr. Bill Graney, Jim Nolan, Mike Reis
Members Excused Absent: Members Absent: Dolores Lepori, Patty Zaza, Patricia Szwed
Open Position: Christian Formation Representative, Family Life
Visiting: Dick Schwer
Reflection: Selvam Mascarenhas presented the July 29, 2014 reflection from the Focolare Movement on forgiveness, its root causes and the courage required to truly forgive.
Business Meeting called to order by Jim Nolan at 7:05pm. Our guest speaker, Bill Cahill, was brought to the top of the agenda. Following his presentation and advice we returned to regular order.
Mike Reis took roll call with 15 voting members attending. The June 2013 minutes were approved.
Parish Buzz:
Committee Reports:
Building and Grounds
Rich Mayes reported the asphalt will be repaired by Total Asphalt for $16000 on August 20
th. The church and the parking lot will be closed that day.
Roofing bids are coming in. It is expected replacement and repairs will be made following the bidding process. Additionally, portions of the exterior building may also be sanded and repainted.
Finance
Jim Nolan reported income was down slightly in July. Less extraordinary income was the difference. The $13000 deficit reported in the current year budget will be made up with savings. This number is fluid and is often made up during the course of the year with cost savings or additional income.
Retreat
Donna announced planning for the retreat is ongoing. The Retreat will begin at 3:00pm followed by Mass at 5:30 a Potluck dinner to follow from 6:30-7:30 and a brief Council meeting to follow. At this meeting leadership for the upcoming year will be elected by Council. Please give some thought to this process. Joe McClory circulated a signup sheet for the Potluck Dinner. It will be forwarded between meetings for those who have not yet signed up.
Unfinished Business:
Due to the late hour Mike will send by email the Alternate List and the Reflection/Snack & Donut Ministry Sign-up sheet. We really need these lists completed, especially the Alternate list so we can meet our quorum responsibilities for proper governance.
New Business:
Capital Campaign
Bill Cahill from St. Catherine of Siena gave a presentation and insight into the Capital Campaign at his parish and the positives and negatives that arose during the campaign. St. Catherine of Siena did not reach its target.
A Q&A video (with Bishop speaking) was prepared following the kick-off last year. Bill recommended showing this video at Mass two weeks prior to the kickoff and its video. It answered many of the questions. He said it would have been helpful to have it in advance.
Bill recommended a transparent campaign with open and honest answers to all questions.
Although people were not happy about it, they recognized the need and were willing to support the need viewed as social justice. Bishop Malooly has credibility and will support parishes if asked. Be upfront about the target. 60 percent of the target goes to support the needs of the diocese. Most of these funds are to secure the underfunded retirement plan previously offered to lay employees of the diocese. A portion also goes to fund priest retirements and diocesan ministries. The remaining 40 percent stays in the Parish to address the specific needs we have identified for the Campaign.
There is a lack of trust with the Diocese. Parishioners questioned the need for polished brochure and thought the request was too high for their elderly fixed-income parish.
While we are challenged with a goal, families are not asked to give more than they can and no one should reduce their offertory or Annual Appeal to support this campaign.
Bill recommended, volunteers should not waste time trying to follow-up at individual homes unless requested. Success was very low for the effort. Hold the envelopes for the first couple of weeks to hand them out personally if possible. Be available to answer any questions.
Pastor?s Comments and Advice:
With the ongoing shortage of priests we are asked to begin to consider the need and timing for a full- time Pastoral Life Director. This position would be separate from the Business Manager and other staff. This individual would be responsible for running regular pastoral needs of the parish and would have a few priests to call upon for sacramental needs. Such a person would in essence replace the pastor except for sacraments. Ideally, there would one or two priests who would regularly serve the parish on weekends. Such a priest could be an associate in another parish, a priest serving in another position such an in office, chaplain of a high school, in campus ministry, or a somewhat healthy retired priest. With the shortage of priests it is reasonable to expect at some point Resurrection may have to recruit priests to say Mass. The Bishop supports this approach in some situations. Another approach used in Marydel, MD, & St. Paul?s, Delaware City, the parishes were ?twinned.? Thus, the pastor of a larger parish also became the pastor or the smaller parish.