Parish Committees > Parish Council > Minutes
St. Isaac Jouges Parish Council
Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 23, 2009
Members Present: Father Bill Donnelly, Father Pat Murphy,
At-Large Members: Denise Stout, Chair, John Richter, Vice-Chair, Tom Lavins, Joan Brennan, Anna Embree
Commission Members: Janet Waring, Parish Life, Nancy Laser, Christian Service Susan Draddy, Religious Education. Ed Pound, Worship Commission, Larry Fitzgerald, SIJ School Commission
Absent: Rob Wentland, Administration & Planning, Mary Munoz, Parish Council Secretary.
Prayer Reflection: Anna Embree
Guests: Mary Ann Clark and Jannine Sullivan - Religious Education Commission Members
From the Chairperson : Denise Stout
Review of Parish Council goals for the year that include the survey results. Denise is looking for suggestions to continue the welcome program started during Advent. She asked for suggestions for Easter and also recommended the Parish do a veneration of Our Lady in May over a 3 week period of time during every Mass. Similar to the Advent Candle placement by families at the Masses. Father Bill indicated that it is appropriate for the Parish to do it only once or twice. The dates should be either May 1, May 31, or Mother’s Day. This would allow the families of Religious Education the opportunity to participate in a May Crowning as the SIJ school children do.
All Council members should be seeking out new “at-large” members to join Parish Council next year. Bulletin Notice will start April 7-8 Palm Sunday. Potential candidates should attend the next Parish council meeting on April 27. All parishioners are welcome to be members of the council. Discernment for Parish Council Candidate is in May.
Denise invited the Religious Education Commission Leaders to present an update to the parish of the changes that were implemented due to requests and research that began in April 2006. Father Bill commissioned a group of parents in 2006 to do a survey and comparative Parish analysis. The group presented their conclusions and revisions were accepted in 2007. These were some of the concerns of the parent committee that led to the research:
There was not a consistent curriculum
No catechist training program existed.
The student to catechist ratio was too high. Also, there should be 2 catechists per class.
Generations of Faith or a home based program should be established
The Commission recommendations based on research of other parishes where that we needed to consider the hiring of three directors to include K-6, 7,8 and 9th grade for the RE program with Masters Degrees.
Update Report from the Religious Education Commission
Susan Draddy – Commission Rep to the Parish Council
On March, 6, the REC met with Father Bill and presented their perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the program, as well as recommended next steps. They felt that the biggest challenge with the program was the lack of a strategic plan. During the meeting, Father Bill had made the recommendation that a mediator be brought in to work with the Director of Religious Education and the Commission members to reconcile the differences. The REC is waiting to hear back from Father Bill regarding next steps.
Father Bill indicated that he has met with Helen Johnson and Joan Latto to address the concerns. The program is in the second year of a three year plan. Due to personnel changes of one of the directors leaving at the end of last year, the program needed to make additional adjustments. He recognizes that the program has both successes and weaknesses. He felt the goals established in the ’07 presentation were ambitious. He has been working with Helen and Joan, and will continue to work with them.
Recognition was given to the many, many Parish volunteers who helped make the two Confirmation ceremonies this past weekend such a success. Thanks to all the Ushers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and Choir Members, who so generously gave of their time.
Old Business:
Irish Hooley Party (3/7): Janet Waring
120 people attended. Great fellowship and everything went very well. Many thanks to the committee who orchestrated the event.
Adoration Chapel Restroom:
Tom Lavins is pricing out the grillwork, as well as other competitive bidders. The date for completion and installation of the gate is projected at June 15
Women’s CHRP (3/13 &3/15)
24 Ladies attended the weekend. Attendance was helped by holding it during Lent. Invitations to spouses of previous attendees works well.
Parish Cluster Meeting (3/14)
Guest speaker was Tony Brandolino, Chief Development Officer, for the Diocese of Joliet. He indicated the Bishop’s Appeal last year was up 6%. He addressed the fact that Bishop Sartain is solely committed to the emphasis of transparency in all financial reporting within the Administration office and the parishes of the diocese.
The back cover of the quarterly diocesan magazine, Christ Our Hope is available to every Parish to personalize.
Planned giving should be a major focus as an opportunity for increased revenues. The Diocesan offices have programs in place to be implemented on the Parish level through their free software program designed for use by all parishes.
He recommended that the Finance and Administration group forward their draft of the planned giving brochure to his office for review. He will provide advice and guidance on this, as well as any revenue programs the Parish would like to implement.
After discussion, it was agreed that we would place “Welcome to the Parish” envelopes in the pew to be used throughout the year. When the envelopes are collected, the names will be kept, and a follow up welcome letter will be sent out. John Richter will follow up with examples of envelopes from other Parishes.
New Business
Finance: Father Bill indicated that St. Isaac Jogues is not off as much financially as many other parishes. We are currently down 6% from budget in revenues from Sunday collections. The Christmas collection was down 10%, much of which is attributed to the decline in stock transfers.
The school endowment fund, which was budgeted for $50,000 last year, received $0 for last year and will receive $0 for next year.
Father said that staffs benefit payment increases and the pension plans have significantly risen in the last 2 years and have been a drain on financial resources.
Of the 2700 registered parishioners, 1800 contributed $10 or more last year according to
the reports from the Finance Council.
After much discussion, the council recommended the creation of a “Wish List” for the parish needs. Larry Fitzgerald will follow up with a wish list for the school that will include student scholarships. The wish list will appear in the bulletin and will include wish list needs for various parish ministries.
Parish Maintenance: Tom Sullivan met with the At Large members for an update on the
maintenance issues on March 13. He indicated that all the issues concerning the cleanliness of the school were addressed and things were operating effectively. He also explained the structure of the maintenance staff and how they function in the parish.
During discussion at the Monday night meeting, many maintenance issues are still occurring. All 3 Doughnut Sundays have not been set up as requested. The blood drive was also not set up. Elizabeth Ministry was locked out of the parish center for their meeting. The ongoing problem of equipment not being taken down after one event, and set up for the next event continues to happen.
The weekend staffing of maintenance needs to be re-evaluated. Volunteers should not be required to move tables and equipment from a previous event. If there are events occurring back to back, maintenance needs to be available to reset and clean up for each planned event.
SIJ Dinner Dance
A committee is being organized to plan a single evening event in the Fall. The goal will be to keep a bigger percentage of the revenue. Underwriting parties were more successful than the ball itself in turn out. Another indication of a changing economy effecting the parish.
Worship Commission
Volunteers are trying to connect questions and plans through the rectory. With the absence of Jim Murray, the liturgies for Lent are being kept simple but meaningful.
Barb Becker has taken on many on the liturgical functions as well as preparing the
RICA candidates for the Easter Vigil.
Pastor’s Remarks: Father Bill Donnelly presented the update on the state of the parish
finances. Although we are holding steady, we are below the budget expectations. Our
Bishops Appeal will be raised to about $147,000.00 for this year. Increases in parish payments to the Diocese for pensions and benefits have increased. The budget is being
set for 2009-10 for the parish and will be presented at the next meeting of Council in April.
Minutes Submitted March 26 by : Anna Embree – At Large Council Member
Refreshments provided by Father Pat Murphy – Many Thanks