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St. Isaac Jogues Pastoral Council
Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 27, 2008
Fireplace Room 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Pastoral Members: Father William Donnelly, Father Patrick Murphy
Council Chair: Denise Stout, 3rd year Co-Chair: John Richter, 2nd yr
At Large Members: Tom Lavins, 2nd yr; Anna Embree, 1st yr; Joan Brennan, 1st yr.
Commission Members: Rob Wentland – Administration and Planning; Ed Pound – Worship; Susan Draddy - Religious Education; Jim Murray – Parish Staff; Larry Fitzgerald - SIJ School; Nancy Laser - Christian Service; Janet Waring - Parish Life.

Guests: Peggy Smego, Adoration Chapel
Julie Dumon, Chairperson for the Nov. 22nd Dinner Dance

Opening Reflection from Gospel
John 6:37-40 led by Tom Lavins

Introduction of New Council Member: Nancy Laser, Christian Service Representative

Pastor’s Remarks

Introduction of the new Christ is our Hope publication to be sent to every registered home in the diocese once/month, replacing current newsletter.
Financial Statement & Budget handed out; to be mailed to all registered parishioners in November. Ended the year in the black (FY 6/30/08). This year tentative. No change to income. Need to work within the budget and do the best we can.
Keep Father Bill in our prayers as he recovers from his eye surgery.
School enrollment met target. Religious Ed same as last year.
Ushers are taking count at several Masses in Oct & Nov. Great attendance.
Sound system improved due to repairs
Rob Wentland stated that the Finance Committee was forming a “Council of Angels” for stewardship, continuity of giving, committing X amount of dollars.
Website now showing virtual tour of church, adoration chapel, school, gym, etc. – total of 11 inside/outside views, compliments of Dawn McKenna.
Concern was expressed about no link to the school website. Needs to be coordinated with Ron Spade. Links need to be updated to remain on church website. It was noted that the school content has been updated. Cannot find school in Google. Need to add more content with key words.

Old Business

Dinner Dance Update – Julie Dumon

360 invitations sent out - over-invited so as not to leave anyone out.
220 attendees (110 couples) attended Underwriting Party. Net income = $80,000.
Wait on decision for next year’s venue, but don’t cancel. Tough date before Thanksgiving. Difficult economy. Does it equal investment? How do we get more people participating? Maybe no big ball next year. Opportunity to get people in to raise money. Need to generate new ideas, other options.
Thanks to Julie, great job.
CCW considering alternating fashion show with other events.

Respect Life Sunday – Father Pat

Respect Life Sunday – Oct 4-5. Wonderful homilies and support of our pastoral leadership. Showed up in collection.
Pro Life Committee sponsored Catholic vote.com video, donut Sunday and literature addressing voting issues. Pro Life Committee answered questions about voting guides and Bishops Letters.
Members of the Parish supported and paid for Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics to be published in The Doings Newspapers October 30th. Private group not organized by priests or staff at SIJ.
Debbie and Dan Turner have organized the 7-day Prayer Vigil for Life at the Hinsdale Abortion Center

Cluster Dinner Recap – John Richter

SIJ part of Cluster 3. Participation by SIJ has improved in the past 5 years. Several meetings throughout the year. Oct. 1 dinner at St. Mary’s, Downers Grove. Seven parishes represented. Shared ideas i.e. I/T, fund raising, outreach programs, youth ministry. Great deal of interest in SIJ Adoration Chapel. Want to find out how to make perpetual. Great sharing opportunity.

Ministry Fair Sunday – Michele Alberts submitted written report

See financial report submitted with Commission Updates. Successful event. Increased numbers
from previous 2007 event.

Sound System Update – Jim Murray

Wired for rear speakers. Getting estimate. Still issue with clarity. Sound engineer should be able to resolve in couple of months. Not getting what we paid for.

New Business

Welcome Ministry Program

“All Catholics are always welcome home” will be new slogan for Parish Leadership.
Research shows lapsed Catholics return to the Church when welcomed.
Ideas shared: Install permanent sign or banners to welcome people; letter in bulletin highlighting work of Council e.g. Welcome Home Sunday; stories in bulletin; themes e.g. understanding the Mass; program during Lent; mini RCIA program, etc.
“Catholics Come Home” website can link to parish website free of charge.
Joan is putting together schedule of Fellowship Sundays, the first Sunday of the month January through June. Each commission will take a month for targeted experience. Sign up sheet passed around.
Second level of Welcome Ministry: guest speakers, concerts, etc. to draw people in. Needs to come through Adult Education e.g. St. Pat’s dinner in March with a show, a fun event. Self funded.
Six key events being considered for formulating a plan of welcome:
- Advent
- Valentines Day Speaker – speak to married couples
- St. Patrick’s Dinner – March
- Vacation Bible School – June
- Lenten Mission
- Easter – musical program? guest speaker?
Need to do a better job of publicizing i.e. website, newspaper, community outreach, etc. Tap into other parishes for ideas. Send ideas to Janet Waring of the Parish Life.
Tom/Anna responsible for building a kiosk. Top portion of bulletin board with events, bottom portion to store bulletins, fliers, etc. How to manage TBD. Write up specs for uniformity. Commissions to be given slots and they will determine what goes in slots. Completed by Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Parish Council questionnaire to be distributed in pews, collected by ushers, before the end of the year. Targeting families, ministries, divorced, youth, those feeling disconnected and general questions. To determine how to make parishioners feel welcome and who are our parishioners? Phase in from Advent to Easter to keep them coming.

Adoration Chapel Handicapped Access

Peggy Smego asked to address the council about access to restrooms from the Adoration Chapel - a basic need for children, elderly and the physically challenged.
- Father Bill pointed out that the main consideration when building the chapel was safety and protection. He also noted that we cannot expand or remodel until we receive an awaited occupancy permit.
- Ideas shared were access to restroom in babysitting room, put door in bathroom in sacristy, code to access church or go to Village Board to make presentation for occupancy permit.
- Cost not an issue. Someone is ready to cover the cost.
- Can we plan a 2-phased approach until the permit is acquired? Phase 1: open the church and Phase 2: remodel.
- Need feasibility study for options, present to Fr. Bill and Tom Sullivan, business manager. Anna to liaison with Adoration Chapel Committee on feasibility study. Anna and Peggy exchanged phone numbers.
- Do we leave the church open until resolved?

Other Business

Installation of holy water fonts. Issue is high cost. Father Pat has donors who will cover this cost.
Need commission members and phone numbers. E-mail to Mary at tmans541@comcast.net .
(Please reference all e-mails to Mary as SIJ Parish Council Business.)

Closing Prayer

Prayer for Humility led by Tom Lavins

Next Meeting: November 24, Fireplace Room
Prayer Reflections: Susan Draddy
Refreshments: Ed Pound

Minutes Submitted by Mary Muñoz, Pastoral Council Secretary