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St. Isaac Jogues Pastoral Council
Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 24, 2008
Fireplace Room 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Pastoral Members: Father William Donnelly, Father Patrick Murphy*
Council Chair: Denise Stout, 3rd yr Vice-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.
*absent

Guests: Peggy Smego, Adoration Chapel
Marilyn Halasz
Opening Prayer/Reflection
Susan Draddy

Commission Updates
Each Commission is being asked to submit a written report on their activities since the last meeting.
John Richter will be the point person for Commission reports. Reports are due in to John by the Thursday prior to the monthly Council Meeting. John will then distribute them to the Council members. (Commissions may use attached template.)
It is not intended that all reported information be discussed at the meeting, but it will allow Council members to ask questions or comment about the reported information.
The reports should, however, identify topics that Commissions would like to be brought to the attention of the Council.
The Council would also like a complete listing of the members/officers of each Commission.

Pastor’s Remarks – Father William Donnelly
This is St. Isaac Jogues’ busiest time of year.
There are financial issues across the parish and the diocese. The biggest crisis today is not meeting Sunday collections.
The Diocese issued a letter discussing the lowering of staff medical premiums but raising the retirement pensions costs.
The Thanksgiving Mass collection will be for Hinsdale Community Services.

Bishop Sartain will be at SIJ on February 1st at the noon Mass celebrating our one-year anniversary of the Adoration Chapel.
The Adoration Committee’s program…a discussion of the Eucharist…was well attended by 60-65 people.

Old Business
Adoration Chapel Restroom Update – Peggy Smego, Adoration Committee
Peggy Smego, Rob Wentland, Tom Sullivan and Anna Embree formed the committee to look for a solution to the restroom situation. They will be in communication with Phil Wade, the Parish consultant on the renovation.
There are questions regarding underground water retention on Parish grounds. Phil is working with the Village and is submitting water table calculation numbers and statistics on rains and possible flooding of the basement. The issue of securing an occupancy permit must be resolved.
Bill Stearns, the renovation architect, could give architectural options. However, there is no funding available to retain an architect
The committee walked through the church facility – it was very educational. People should understand the investment of time and effort incurred for the chapel.
Committee made good progress.

Hospitality Sundays – Joan Brennan
Each Commission has been assigned a Sunday. All Commissions were notified and everyone was very positive. Each Commission will be contacted regarding their assigned dates and again as they get closer to their assigned Sundays.
The Christian Service Commission plans to have a representative from Transitional Housing speak at the January 11th 10:30 Mass. Two minutes will be allowed at the end of the Mass for the Commission’s remarks. Remarks should be prepared ahead of time.

SIJ Holiday Ball Recap – Denise Stout
Turnout was low. (Notre Dame reported low turnout at its dinner dance as well.)
The committee is considering change for next year – local vs. downtown, earlier in the month.
Need to do follow-up thank you’s with younger members.
Nice job – a lot of fun.

New Business
Parish Cluster Meeting Update – John Richter
Seven of nine cluster parishes attended the November 8th meeting. Our representative to the Diocesan Cluster gave a report on the Diocesan Cluster meeting. Among those meeting highlights were:
An audit was conducted on the Protecting Gods Children program.
The Diocese has hired a Director of Building & Property who will be available to parishes considering building or renovation.
The Diocesan administrative offices are moving to St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville.
The impact of Spanish-speaking parishioners will affect training of seminarians and deacons, adding a year onto the deacon program.
A presentation was made on upcoming changes to the Liturgy.

SIJ will be hosting the next Cluster meeting, scheduled for March 14th in the Fireplace Room. SIJ last hosted the Cluster in September 2007.

Welcome Ministry Update
We are putting Council information in the bulletin, welcoming people back to the parish.
Referenced “Catholics Come Home” website – how to attract adult children. Advent is a good time to begin.
Anna suggested a questionnaire directed to families, ministries, youth, the unwanted/in crisis and the general population. The Council will provide help in generating questions. Rob will send previous questions. It was discussed whether we want questionnaires available in pews this Sunday or within the next two weeks. It was determined that we are not ready yet, and it would be better to do it in January.
Discussed suggestion of a “welcome home” banner to be placed in Burlington Park. We need authority from the village. John will to contact the Village Manager’s office to make arrangements.

Handicapped Access Report – Marilyn Halasz
Marilyn asked to address the council regarding lack of handicap access on the north side of the church.
She reported comments from a presentation at the Senior meeting:
Previous parishioners have left the parish.
Handicapped spaces across the street are too far away.
The Narthex door is not always open and is too heavy and too far away from the parking lot.
The sound system is difficult to hear.
Need 3-car parking on the north side, all handicapped.
Marilyn contacted Mobility Access Inc. for a written proposal for a ramp for the north entrance of the church on the outside wall.
Cost: $26,377
Includes chair platform (not a problem for the Village), motor/control cabinet, folding seat, folding platform, self-support post and emergency stop. Also includes freight and labor.
Father Bill reported that the Church is a 1955 building and when it was renovated, parishioners said we should not touch the building or the façade. The Renovation Committee looked at installing an elevator but they would have needed a stairwell. The building does have handicap access.
Council members suggested that there be handicapped parking on the street for weekend Masses. Need to check with the Village and the Fire Department. Anna to follow up.

Holy Water Fonts – Father Bill
Fonts that were ordered are to be sent back. The old fonts were found and they will be polished and installed by mid-December.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner – Denise Stout
Parish Life (formerly Adult Formation) agreed to sponsor a St. Patrick’s Day dinner on March 7, 2009 in the Parish Center.
Ticket sales coming up.
Proposing SNL-type skits about parish life. Some staff members have voiced concern over the skits. Denise insisted that no one will be spoofed without permission.

Other Business
Plans for welcome events to be discussed at the next meeting. No plans for Valentines Day.
Kiosk to be completed in ten days, ready for the holidays. We need to communicate usage rules to Ministries and Commissions.
Mailing to parishioners to include upcoming events.
Jim Murray is developing worship aid for Advent
Jim Murray commissioned 20 new altar servers.
Fr. Bill going in for outpatient surgery on December 19.
Religious Ed is hosting a Family Advent Program at the 10:30 Mass. Initial training was very well attended and very well executed.

Closing Prayer
Led by Susan Draddy

No Meeting Scheduled for December
Next Meeting: January 26, 2009, Fireplace Room
                         Prayer Reflections: Larry Fitzgerald
                         Refreshments: John Richter

Minutes Submitted by Mary Muñoz, Pastoral Council Secretary