Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mike Rzucidlo.
Reflection: Michael Mitchell read a reflection from “The Imitation of Christ” reminding us of our busy lives and the need to slow down and smell the roses.
Members Present: Flo Gargula for Gerry Abrams, Ruth Sanders for Mary Louise Chesley-Cora, Nancy Maloney for Anita Delaney, John Falkowski, Sharon Gidumal, JoAnn Hedrick, Joe Budd for Ruthann Maisonet, Rich Mayes, Al Mercatante, Michael Mitchell, Joe Quinn, Mike Reis, Mike Rzucidlo, Jack Sanders, Dick Schwer, Kathy Swain.
Members Absent: Father Graney, Maritza Poza-Grise.
Guests: Nancy Maloney, Ruth Sanders.
Minutes Approved: The minutes of the July meeting were approved as corrected after comments made by Dick Schwer. There was also a request from Al Mercatante that the heading on the minutes document include the location of the meeting.
Parish Buzz:
Father Corrigan will give a presentation on a week night in September on the teachings of Richard Rohr.
Significant progress has been made in the planning for Resurrection’s participation in Peace Week including a $500 donation from Shoprite toward the food for the event. Leaders of various faith communities as well as Senator Chris Coons will be participating and 100+ people are expected.
The 11th annual concert to Combat Human Trafficking will take place tomorrow evening at Skyline Methodist. All were encouraged to attend and enjoy two hours of beautiful music. This year there will be an additional beneficiary of the donations – Zoe Ministries of Delaware.
Jack Sanders has been asked to participate in an open house at Skyline on September 30 where they will showcase opportunities, such as prison ministries, to serve the community.
Mike Rzucidlo stated that he had been approached by several parishioners who were concerned about the size of the Council and they suggested that we may be more effective with fewer members. After a lengthy and lively discussion, it was concluded that our primary function is to assist the pastor and to communicate with parishioners, particularly that portion of the parish we represent. While we are not very effective at doing this, a decrease in the number of members will not have an impact, even though there are seldom enough candidates to fill open slots when we have a Council election. A question was asked about whether the number of Council members correlates to the size of the parish. It was concluded that they are not related.
With regard to communicating with those we represent, multiple forms of communication were suggested. In the past, letters have been sent. Phone calls can also be made and the monitor in the gathering space could be utilized. Sharon will prepare a Power Point presentation to be put up on the monitor. It was suggested that the stewards be interviewed and those interviews could be shown on the monitor. It was also suggested that the names of the stewards be listed on the bulletin along with the names of the officers. Each steward was asked to contact ten people whom they represent over the next month.
The need to better publicize the time, date, and location of our meetings was mentioned. The minutes of our meetings are currently on the website. However, there is a concern about the minutes being so public. In addition, there is a need for an updated group photo of Council on the website. It was suggested that individual photos be used rather than a group photo. The photos that were submitted when Council members were running for election could be used.
Committee Reports: The retreat/goal setting committee reported that Father Graney had suggested that the retreat be split from the planning and goal setting session. It was decided by the committee that the September meeting will consist of goal setting as well as election of officers for the coming year, and the retreat will be held in October. It will be difficult to come into the September goal setting meeting without any preparation and expect to make progress. A committee consisting of Mike Rzucidlo, Sharon Gidumal, Jack Sanders, Al Mercatante, Dick Schwer, and JoAnn Hedrick will meet to review past goal setting sessions and lay some groundwork. There may be a “homework” assignment for members of Council in preparation for the September meeting.
With regard to the retreat in October, it was suggested that it be held after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, October 8, our regular meeting date, from noon to 2:00 p.m. There would be a short meeting and a luncheon followed by the retreat. A committee will be needed to plan the retreat.
Old Business:
Maritza had provided information regarding a potential workshop to be presented by Matthew Kelly representing Dynamic Catholic. Dynamic Catholic requires multiple host parishes. St. Mary of the Assumption is currently on a waiting list for a Dynamic Catholic presentation and, with a lot of enthusiasm, it was decided that we should team up with them and hope for a presentation in the next year.
The audit required by the Bylaws will have to be postponed for a few months. The Finance Council had secured Ed Collins to perform the audit. However, the recently hired bookkeeper is leaving and it was decided that a new bookkeeper needs to be on board for a period of time before the audit is performed.
New Business:
Father Graney asked us to review nametag Sunday and determine how frequently it should occur. The Council decided that it should be held quarterly, beginning in October, followed by January, April, and July with plenty of advance notice. It was suggested that just one color nametag be used so newcomers are not put on the spot with a different colored tag. It would also be helpful if people put their last names on the tags. The days we turn and introduce ourselves to those around us would be the nametag Sundays. Ruth Sanders volunteered to coordinate the dates with Debbie Seymour and will get them on the calendar.
John Falkowski reported that the diocese is instituting a new marriage preparation program. It’s from the Ascension Press and consists of one full day, on a Saturday. It will be offered on specified Saturdays at a parish in New Castle County, probably St. Mary of the Assumption, and also in Dover.
Closing Prayer: We recited the Our Father together.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
JoAnn M. Hedrick