Parish Committees > Parish Council > Minutes

St-. Isaac Jogues Pastoral Council
Meeting Minutes
October 26, 2009
Fireplace Room 7:00 - 9:15

Pastoral Staff:  Father William Donnelly, Father Pat Murphy
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:  Ken Quaas - A & P, Ed Shishem - School, Joann Kamp - Parish Life, Pat Kenney - Religious Ed., Joe Geiger, - Worship, Nancy Laser - Christian Service.

Reflection:  Joann Kamp, Matthew 5:1-12

Approval of Minutes:  Minutes from the May 18th meeting and from the September 28th meeting were approved.    

Commission Reports:  Anna Embree states that the 6 at-large members meet with Father Bill to set the agenda 10 days before the pastoral council meeting.  They would like a concise ONE PAGE report from each commission on matters that should be brought to the Council’s attention.  John Richter will send out a reminder to the commission reps about a week before the agenda meeting 

Commission members are also asked to monitor items on the Kiosk in the Narthex; and to initial and date new items that are posted.

A & P     Ken Quaas reports that A & P is currently directing its efforts in two areas.

  1. Communications:  The E-Newsletter (contains a synopsis of the Bulletin and other parish information)  has  been developed as a no cost way to  communicate with parishioners.  It began in July with 65 names and now has expanded to 304 names.  An opt out option is present but has  not been used yet.  Positive feedback has been received.  Current goal is to expand the email list possibly with cards in the pews.  Ed Shishem suggested having forms go home with school children.
  2. Stewardship: The Planned Parish Offering Program, developed by the Joliet Diocese is being implemented at SIJ.  The goal is to increase collections, time, talent and treasure.  Other parishes have seen an increase of 25% in collections.  The program will begin Nov. 7th and continue into early Dec.  The program consists of letters to parishioners, homily by the pastor, lay witnesses speaking at mass and follow-up pledge cards.  A & P has identified 5 groups of parishioners based on current levels of giving.  Each group would receive an initial  letter and a follow-up letter  designed specifically for that group.

 

    Parish Council Discussion began with the validity of the 3253 households currently on    
    record.  Of that number, 1550 households make no contributions.  Ken Quaas and
    Anna Embree agree that there are numerous names that could be dropped.  John
    Richter advises caution when dropping names considering the current “Catholics
    Welcome Home Program”.  Father Pat also reminds us that there are families who
    are unable to give due to current financial hardship.

    In discussion of the letter targeted to school families, Ed Shishem said that the school
    committee is discussing dealing with families who are not giving, and those with
    special circumstances.  Ed would like only one letter be sent to these families.  Ken
    Quaas agrees.

    Tim Rivelli cautioned A & P that a mistake in letter receipt could lose a parishioner.
   
    Joe Geiger suggested including automatic deduction forms with the second mailing.

    Ken Quaas concluded that the letters are ready for Father Bills approval.  The first
    letter, scheduled for Nov. 8th, will also include the Christmas Advent schedule and the  
    financial report. 

CHRISTIAN SERVICE    Nancy Laser reports that:

  1. Carenet diaper derby has concluded.
  2. Blood Drive was most successful with 40 donars.  Next blood drive is scheduled for February 21, 2010.
  3. Ministry Fair did not produce much interest or new volunteers.  Suggestions for acquiring parishioner interest are:  Time and Talent Sermon with sign up cards in the pews, and having separate recruitment weekends for each commission.
  4. All Souls Mass is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 1.  CCW is hosting a Luminary Mass on Monday Nov. 2.
  5. Clothing Drive is scheduled for Nov. 21 and 22.
  6. SIJ Mens Group is preparing and serving meals at the LaGrange Soup Kitchen on the 3rd Saturday of each month.
  7. Transitional Housing is running well and has plenty of great mentors.

PARISH LIFE    Joann Kamp reported on upcoming events.

  1. Adult Formation hosted Fr. Barron on Oct 18.  Dr. James Healy will speakon Nov. 18, and Bishop Sartain on Dec 10. 
  2. Saints of March is scheduled for March 20th.  It is a fellowship for parishioners with a catered dinner.  Parishioners will be asked to bring desserts.
  3. Soup and Bread will continue for Stations of the Cross
  4. Scripture Study is going well and has good attendance.
  5. A new study on Corinthians will begin in January.

WORSHIP     Joe Geiger reports that Rosie Owens is doing a very good job.  There are 8 members on the Advent and Liturgical planning team.  Michelle Burnett is helping with E & A and is looking for wholesale pricing on flowers. 

Greeters: More are needed.  They will seek from Families of Faith.
Ministry Fair would benefit from donuts and coffee.
Alter Servers:  Rosie has a team of 6 adults from school and server families.  They are working on the training program.  Adults must have completed Protecting Gods Children
before training begins.  Training may have to wait till Dec. 6.  The Alter server Schedule is to be printed in the Bulletin. 

Nativity Scene:  A neighbor is repairing the crib.  Many of the characters have been patched.  Tim Rivelli said he would get funds for a new Nativity scene. 

Ken Quaas asked what precautions our church is taking in light of the swine flu.  Father Pat said that we should receive some input from the diocese.  Could involve not doing handshake of peace, and changing of the holy water.  Hand sanitation is now now being done for the Eucharist.  Father Bill notes that common sense needs to be used.

RELIGIOUS ED     Pat Kenney reports that all is going well.  There are 50 students less due to the drop in 5th grade, however, people are still registering.  Pat has provided a list of 24 catechists and the religious education calendar.  Also scheduled are:
Families of Faith:  Workshops, Nov. 15, Jan 24, March 21, and May 23.
First Reconciliation:  Dec. 15, Jan. 19 and March 16
First Eucharist:  Saturday April 24, and Saturday May 1.

SCHOOL COMMISSION     Ed Shishem reports that:

  1. Students and families are being encouraged to attend the Bishops visit on Dec. 10.
  2. Students are being encouraged to participate in the altar server program, and those  who are altar servers are encouraged to attend.
  3. Mass attendance is being encouraged thru a joint parish/school program to schedule attendance of specific grade levels at specific masses.  Religious Ed will also participate. 
  4. The school commission is monitoring the in-parish tuition program, in an effort to ensure 100% compliance.  A committee is meeting Oct. 26th to begin the process of identifying and contacting those who do not comply.
  5. A Preschool program is continuing to be  investigated.
  6. The Meitler Report meeting is Nov. 24. 
  7. Nov. 9 is the elementary and secondary school conference at St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville.
  8. There are no confirmed cases of H1N1.
  9. The school  passed fire inspection.

PASTORAL REMARKS     Father Bill states that there is concern for the Meitler Report for DuPage.  St. Isaac”s will attend a finance meeting on Dec 1.  It has already been acknowledged that medical premiums may go up 12%. 

The Diocesan appeal is almost over.  SIJ met about 95% which is good.  The Diocese as a whole did about 80% so they will have a million dollar shortfall.  They will most likely consolidate or close schools and look for new funding.

Families are needed for the at 7:30 mass to bring up the gifts.

December 6 is the SIJ school choir.  This is a great program and has provided the church with high school age cantors. 

All Saints Parade of 1st graders is Nov. 2.

There may be issues with high school students babysitting for mass as the diocese is starting to require social security numbers and letters of recommendation.

Nov. 3,  Father Bill and Father Pat attend the “Catholics Come Home” Program.

Anna Embree will locate our”Come Home” banner and John Richter will contact the Village to display the banner in December.

The letter campaign is currently taking the place of a 2009-2010 fundraiser.

It is agreed that a different approach be used for the Ministry Fair.  Father Pat suggests that personal contact is the best way to get new members.

The Parish Directory should be delayed until there is a more accurate membership list.

New Business:   Tom Lavins explained that this year is the “Year of the Priest” and it is one of Councils goals to find ways to honor our priests.  We will be encouraging parishioners to be appreciative and to pray for our priests. 

Anna Embree added that each month we should do something for the priests.  Possibly starting with an article in the Bulletin about the six portraits in our church.  Commissions should be made aware of this.

Tim Rivelli suggests giving parishioners more information about the priesthood.

Father Pat suggests not going overboard as priests do feel honored and appreciated.

Closing Prayer:

 

Minutes submitted by Nancy Laser, Secretary

Next Meeting; November 30, 2009
Gospel Reflection: Joe Geiger
Refreshments:  Steve Turlek