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St. Isaac Jogues Pastoral Council
Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2008 7:00 pm Fireplace Room
Present Members: Father William Donnelly, Father Patrick Murphy
Council Chair: Michele Alberts Co-Chair: Karen Falat-Loffredi
At Large Members: Denise Stout, Tom Lavins, John Richter
Commission Members: Rob Wentland -A&P, Joe Geiger- Worship, Anna Emree RE-6-8, Heidi Dresher- RE K-5, Melanie Sarros, Jim Murray –Parish Staff, Barry Collins-SIJ School
Absent: Janet Waring, Parish Life
Opening Prayer / Reflections on the Sunday’s Gospel – Melanie Sarros
Approval of April Pastoral Council Minutes – posted on the parish web site
Recognition and Welcome to the new At Large Pastoral Council Members
Welcome to Anna Emree and Joan Brennan. They will serve for three years on Council and went through the parish discernment process in April.
Gift Presentation for retiring Council members
Denise Stout – Our Mother, Mary’s Role in the Church
On behalf of the entire Pastoral Council, retiring members, Michele Alberts- Council Chair and Karen Falat-Lofreddi -Council Co-Chair, were recognized and thanked for their outstanding contributions over these past three years of dedicated service to the Pastoral Council. Michele was presented with a statue of our Lady of LaScala (Our Lady of the Streets) and Karen was given a statue of St. Theresa the Little Flower. We will miss you both but know you are still active members of the parish and SIJ School!
Commission Reports
Religious Education: Heidi Dresher- K-8 reported that there were 100 children in K-5th grade registered for Vacation Bible School scheduled for June 23- 27th. She has many adults and teen volunteers and is looking to register about 150 children for the first year of this program. Training programs are required for all volunteers. It will be an interactive program that includes Catholic teachings music, drama, sports and crafts.
6-8th Janet Waring and Susie Woerner will be facilitating Youth Bible Study for 6 weeks this summer on Sundays from 7:30 – 9:00 pm
St. Isaac Jogues School: Barry Craig reported that the April 19th meeting for the Diocesan Schools with Bishop Sartain was very encouraging. Bishop Sartain is committed to supporting that Catholic Schools stay vital in the parishes. He commissioned a study to review all the schools. The 8th grade Cotillion was on May 16th and was a great night for parents and students.
Administration and Planning: Rob Wentland reviewed the SIJ Financial Report for 2007-08. He announced a Planned Offertory Program to begin in September that will include Estate Planning. Stewardship Sunday in September will be the kick off of this new program for the parishioners.
Christian Service: Report from Scott Brechtel facilitated a successful Blood Drive in May 17 & 18th. 34 pints of blood were donated by parishioners. Scott is also coordinator for The Stand for Life walk to the abortion clinic in Hinsdale that is scheduled for June 14th. CareNet and our Pro-Life Committee members with the support of Father Pat Murphy will march and lead the opening prayers from our church steps. Registration is close to 100 as of this date.
SIJ Staff: Jim Murray announced the latest program for any volunteers who work with children will be required to have an FBI background check and fingerprinting. Protecting God’s Precious Children is the program currently required for all volunteers and will also continue to be part of the screening process. Jim Murray is taking all the altar services on his annual trip of appreciation to Great America in June. Wow that is a lot of kids to take. Good Luck Jim!
Parish Life: Jim Murray gave an update on the Women’s CHRP Retreat in May. Over 50 women attended and participated in this spiritual weekend at SIJ. An evening of Pentecost is being planned for all current and past members of CHRP.
Worship: Joe Geiger announced that he will be retiring as commission rep for the council. Ed Pound will be taking his place at the new council starting in September.
Joe Stout has accepted the position of Head Usher. Joe went to all the Masses to collect
e-mail addresses and introduce himself to all the Ushers. He took a survey of any immediate needs for ushers at Masses.
Joe Gieger continues to receive complaints about the Holy Water Fonts in the Church. Greeters will be given reserved seating in the Church for their time before Mass. 700 new Hymnals were ordered and should be in the pews in the next few weeks. Kiosks in the Narthex are being investigated to keep all literature neat and available.
Pastoral Remarks – Father William Donnelly
Father Bill Donnelly gave an update on the weekly diocesan newspaper, The Explorer, becoming a monthly magazine that will cover Catholic issues as well as parish reports and News. The Diocesan Appeal is going well for our parish and we are at about 40% of our goal. 18 Pastors in our Diocese are being transferred. As of this date, Father Pat has gotten No calls from the bishop. We hope that is good news!
Helen Johnson has been appointed the Director of Religious Education. Joan Latto will also serve as an assistant with 6-8th grade that will combine her work with SIJ students. Joan will coordinate School Masses and begin and integration of the Liturgy Program.
Old Business
Michele Alberts sill hosted the Parish Staff Appreciation Reception in her home on May 8th from 5- 8 pm. This was an opportunity for the Pastoral Council members to gather with the staff for a thank you for continued service to the parish.
Planned Offertory Program was presented by Tom Lavins and Rob Wentland. Father Bill gave the explanation of the Stewardship Program to the parishioners at all the Masses on May 3rd & 4th. His homily was a reflection on the proper perspective on how we give to our church.
The Farewell Reception for Father Pat was updated by host, Denise Stout. As of this date we did not have any update from the dioceses as to his new location. We are committed to celebrating his farewell or continuation as Associate Pastor. If he stays the celebration will shift to an Honor of the Clergy at St. Isaacs with a Mass and reception to follow on June 8th.
New Business
Approval of the SIJ Budget for 2008-09 was approved by the Council. A review of the guidelines for Commission Representatives and Pastoral Members was recommended by Michele Alberts.
The tentative Pastoral Council Meeting Schedule for 2008-08 was given to all members.
The Pastoral Council Meeting ended at 9:00 pm with closing prayer by Melanie Sarros
Refreshments provided by John Richter
Next Scheduled Meeting – tentative – August 25, 2008
7:00 pm Fireplace Room
Minutes faithfully submitted by Denise Stout, Council secretary.