Parish Committees > Parish Council > Minutes

St. Isaac Jogues Pastoral Council
Meeting Minutes
September 28, 2009
Fireplace Room  7:00 - 9:00

 

Pastoral Staff:  Father William Donnelly, Father Pat Murphy
Council Chair:  Tom Lavins, 3rd year
Vice Chair:  John Richtor, 3rd year
At Large Members:  Anna Embree, 2nd year, Joan Brennan, 2nd year, Steve Turlek, 1st year,
Commission Members:  Ed Shishen - School, Joann Kamp - Parish Life, Pat Kenney - Religious Ed., Ed Pound (for Joe Geiger) - Worship, Nancy Laser - Christian Service

Reflection:  John Richtor, Mark 10: 2-16
John Richtor began with a prayer for Jim Booth, husband of Cathy Booth. 

Approval of Minutes:  Minutes from previous May 18th meeting will be emailed to all for review.  The secretary will continue to email meeting minutes to council members for their review. 

Commission Reports:

A & P     Ken Quaas’s email was distributed in his absence.  He will have an overview of the commissions issues for the next meeting.  In addition, the Parish Finance Council will present their report before the next meeting.

              Tom Lavins highlighted the issue of the replacement of the Holiday Ball revenue (50,000.00 - 60,000.00 in the budget) which will be undertaken by A &P.  A committee could be created comprised of a representative from each commission.  The committee could consider
a 53rd Sunday Collection with an appeal at mass.  They could plan a special event that would build fellowship as well as raise money.  Cathy Booth is developing  a parish event calendar to help in choosing the best time for such a function.

Christian Service    Nancy Laser reports that Christian Service Events calendar for 2009-2010 has been distributed.  Many of the events are consistent year to year.  The September Blood Drive was most successful.  Currently, diapers are being collected in the Narthex for Carenets contest among churches.

Parish Life     Joann Kamp reported on up coming events.  

  1.  Mens Chirp - January 30 and 31,  Womens Chirp - February 27 and 28   All Council members are encouraged to attend.
  2. Ministry Fair - “Saints of the State”  book will be available
  3. Scripture Study - Will be using Exodus and Corinthians
  4. Big Event will be St. Joseph's Table on March 20th
  5. Jim Healy will be speaking on November 18 at 7:30 pm.  Possibly a couples event would follow.
  6. Mens Group is hosting Bishop Sartain for the whole parish on December 10th.  Advanced publication is a must to ensure a filled church.

Worship     Ed Pound reports that:

  1.   Eucharistic Ministers are now using hand sanitizer before the Eucharist. 
  2.   An Advent team is meeting to plan Advent and Christmas decorations. 
  3.   A question was raised about a problem with Alter Servers.  It was noticed that servers are missing from some masses.  Discussion pursued as to whether Rosie Owens, Director of Liturgy, needs help with training as she is only part time.  Father Bill explained that training of 6th graders begins in October.  Father Pat offered that our servers are well trained and that they are very important to the life of our parish.  The worship commission will see what Rosie might need. 

           
Religious Education     Patrick Kenney reports that the Religious Education commission met 2 weeks ago.  There are currently 405 children enrolled.  206 are in Families of Faith and 289 are on sight.  This represents a drop from last years 593 children.  Kindergarten and 1st grade are down 100, which represents most of the drop.  No reason has been identified yet, but there is still time for children to enroll.

School Commission     Ed Shishem reports that the School Commission met Sept 15.  Many parents attended.  There was concern about two issues.

  1.  Not enough aid in the 2nd grade class.  This has since been resolved.
  2.  Better utilization of custodial staff.  This has been addressed by Father Bill.

Other items of interest:

  1.  At the St. Ignatius open house four St. Isaacs teachers were selected by former students for awards.
  2. The Iowa test will be given this week.
  3. PSA made a good presentation addressing how our school is funded; part tuition and part parish transfer.
  4. Increased attendance at mass by school children was also requested.  An idea has been proposed to have classes attend special masses.  Classes having the most children in attendance could receive a reward.  This includes religious education children also.

Pastoral Remarks     Father Bill distributed information about the “Catholics Come Home”  media blitz to occur in November and December this year.  Lack of time and followup are concerns at this time.
Helen Johnson, the superintendent of schools is retiring. The DuPage Schools Report will be out soon.
Sunday October 3rd is SIJ Homecoming.
December 6th is the Choir Concert.
Rick Cronquist is looking into preschool at SIJ.  The Fire and Police departments will determine if our facility is OK for preschool.
Convocation for Priests will take place next week.
The New-Comers Party was attended by all teachers and many kindergarten families.

Youth       4:00 Youth Mass is scheduled for the fourth Sunday of each month.  Father Mario is saying the masses.  After the mass high schoolers meet in the loft with Cathy Jarrett.

To All Commissions:  Reports are due the Friday before our Monday meeting and should be emailed to Nancy Laser.  Please include only your activities and any exceptional events, ideas, etc. that Parish Council needs to know.

New Business     Tom Lavins reports that:

  1.  A new fund raiser will be developed and implemented by Administration and Planning.
  2. The Ministry Fair has been scheduled for this weekend, Saturday Oct. 3 and Sunday Oct. 4.
  3. A new parish directory is being proposed.  It would be simple and inexpensive.  A local bank and funeral director are considering underwriting the project.

Closing Prayer     Father Bill

Minutes submitted by Nancy Laser, Secretary.

 

Next Meeting:  October 26, Fireplace Room, 7:00 p.m.
Reflection:  Joann Kamp        Refreshments:  Ed Shishem