Parish Committees > Parish Council > Minutes

St. Isaac Jogues Pastoral Council
Meeting Minutes
January 25, 2010
Fireplace Room 7:00 - 9:15


Pastoral Staff: Father William Donnelly
Council Chair: Tom Lavins, 3rd year
Vice Chair:  John Richter, 3rd year
At Large Members: Anna Embree, 2nd year,  Joan Brennan, 2nd year, Steve Turlek, 1st year, Tim Rivelli, 1st year
Commission Members: Ed Shishem - School, Joann Kamp - Parish Life, Pat Kenney
- Religious Ed, Nancy Laser - Christian Service, Ken Quaas, - A&P

Reflection: Anna Embree, Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19

Approval of Minutes: Meeting minutes from November 30, 2009 were approved.
Tom Lavins is requesting meeting agenda information 10 days prior to the parish councilmeeting. He will then email the agenda so that members can make additions. A followup will then be emailed.

Commission Reports
A & P     Ken Quaas states that the Planned Offering Program has been successfully launched. 396 pledge cards have been received. This is 40% of the goal of 1000.Note that the goal is twice the amount that has ever been received. A & P will renew efforts this weekend.   A “thermometer sign” will be on the lawn,  Standees will be at the entrance, POP cards will be in pews for putting in collection baskets.  Also a Lenten letter going out Feb. 10th will note that goal is still trying to be reached. Ken will check to see if direct deposits are included in the received figures.
Building and Grounds has an assessment of $240K for items needed in this coming year.  There is only $50K in the budget. The following is a list of the items needed.

  1. Convent Boiler: $24,600. (Most urgent of the items.)
  2. Parish Center Roof: $115,000.
  3. Rectory Roof: $40,000.
  4. Bridge Metal Staircase: $1,800.
  5. Front School Steps: $2,785.
  6. Parking Lot Re-pave: $25,000.
  7. Parapet Wall:  $35,000.A & P is seeking parishioners who are in the construction business to donate servicesin kind so we can get things at cost or better. 

To accomplish some of the needs,  Anna Embree suggested using a Parish Wish List.Father Bill noted that contractors must be approved by the diocese. Tom Lavins is concerned that members may pull back on donations as our collection goals are beingmet. Possibly using year to date budgeting numbers would avoid this appearance.

The Capital Campaign for Renovation has 5% of funds from 16% of donors stilluncollected. The unpaid total is $364.9K. Father Bill says that some of this is notcollectable, but many donors intend to pay, but are just not able to now.
 
Haiti Collection brought in $13.8K
E-Newsletter has 362 names.
The Dinner Dance did not happen this year, leaving a hole of $50K in the budget.  Some parishioners would like to see it return. A host couple is needed.Tom Lavins announced a new fundraising project being planned by Jennifer Lavins and Denise Stout. A Cinco do Mayo party in our parking lot is being scheduled for May 8th.  An underwriting party would be the main income producer.  There would be a suggesteddonation for attending the party.  They are hoping for 300 - 700 people to attend.

Christian Service Nancy Laser reports that:

Clothing Drive: George Casson had many student and adult volunteers. Less clothingwas donated. Possibly, people are hanging on to things longer.  Needed more announcements or promotions.
Adopt a Family: 112 families were adopted.  We are one of the only organizations that accepted adults without kids. Plenty of volunteers worked this cause.
8th Grade Service Club: Vicky Bush-Josephʼs group collected and delivered toys to the LaGrange Nurses Secret Santa. They also collected and delivered 70+ blankets for the hospital and children of military servicemen.
LaGrange Soup Kitchen: George Casson and Mens Group had great success with student volunteers.
Pads: Joann Kamp and volunteers served the max, 54 people. Food donations and help are still needed for March 27th.
Elizabeth Ministry hosted a Christmas Coffee Dec 16.
Holy Innocence Mass was Jan. 21, 3:00 in the Parish Center.
Respect Life: Womens Choice Services hosted a 3 session bible study in December. Pastoral Associate, Scott Brechtel would still like to see some solution to the maintenance a set-up issues.

This last item lead to discussion of problems in the maintenance department, i.e. meeting set- up, John not visible, no one available on weekends, lack of money to pay for more help, management problem, on going for 3 years. Tim Rivelli volunteered to talk with all those involved and report back at the February meeting.

Parish Life Joann Kamp reports that she and Denise Stout are chairing the Saints of March Party scheduled for March 13th. The focus is on St. Joseph, St. Patrick, and St.Casimir.  Food is expected to cost $12,000.00.
The Bishopʼs visit was amazing. He stayed and talked to everyone.
Soup and Bread will be staffed by RCIA, Mens Group, Spiritual Book Club, and CHIRP. Senior events are not well attended, even though money is being spent for speakers.

Religious Ed (K - 5) Pat Kenney reports that 41 fourth graders received the sacrament of reconciliation in Dec. and Jan. One more service is on March 16th. Helen Johnson has received positive comment s about the program. Jan. 26th is the parent meeting for First Eucharist.
Vacation Bible School will use the same leadership team from 2009. 
Families of Faith is moving along nicely.
A request has been received for a more family orientated Mass; directed more towards children. There is a thought to get kids involved with their family, at a younger age.Anna Embree suggested using a specific person similar to the school, to look into the idea.

School Commission Ed Shishem reports:
Explore Tests:  SIJ students scored well above national average and in line with local average. Half of students scored in the top 10% and 80% scored in the top 25%. We also have a number of National Merit and State Scholars.
Parish Tuition:  The tuition problem has been resolved. All families are complying with Parish tuition requirements.
Endowment: $80,000.00 has been withdrawn in case a school need is identified. If not,it will be returned to the fund.
PSA: Fundraising efforts are on target.
Enrollment: 65 of 559 students are graduating. 30 kindergartners have committed. It is probable that 15 - 20 more will enroll, leaving a decline of 15 - 20. The marketing committee is busy.
Grade School Mass Project: Ed presented a detailed proposal for three masses where grade school families would sit together at 9 am mass and students would participate in the mass (cantor, read, greet, etc.)  Dates being requested are April 2 (grade 6-8), May 2 (grade 3-5), and May 16 (grade K-2). Mass would end with coffee and donut social funded by the School and Religious Ed. Who will run the program annually is still being decided.

Religious Ed (6 -8) Anna Embree reports that:
Confirmation is March 20, 2010.
Youth Mass is February 7th at 4:00.  Youth Masses will run thru May.  High School students are not coming at 4:00. Returning to the Noon Youth Mass is being considered.

Pastoral Remarks
Father Bill reports that: The Easter schedule is being finalized.
Mission days are set for February 21, 22,and 23.
A simple Parish Directory is being underwritten by a local bank and funeral parlor. A diocese audit will occur March 16 - 18 for the period of July 1, 2008 - July 1, 2009. Concerning diocesan staff, insurance premiums will remain the same, but dependent premiums will go up. Pensions will increase from 8% to 10% in two years. Salaries will increase by 1.5% - 2%.

We have a new Bishop,  we are losing 6 priests and gaining 5. Father Pat could be affected.

Old Business
Catholics Come Home has not produced “floods of people” returning, although the long term effects of the campaign are not known.  An idea for a banner in front of the church was not furthered as only those who come to church would see it.
Bishop Siegel will be at SIJ for confirmation.
The visit of Bishop Sartain was fantastic. Thanks go to Barb Becker for her “Olympic Medals Presentation”.

New Business
The new church fundraiser, Cinco de Mayo Party, needs lots of help.  All volunteers are welcome. No Dinner Dance is scheduled for 2010. Hopefully it will be renewed in 2011.

Closing Prayer

Minutes Submitted by Nancy Laser, Secretary
Next meeting: February 15, 2010
Gospel Reflection: Tom Lavins
Refreshments: Anna Embree