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St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church
Parish Council Meeting Minutes
November 26th 2007 7:00 pm
Meeting held in the Parish Center Fireplace Room
Attendees Present
Pastor: Father William Donnelly, Associate Pastor: Father Patrick Murphy
Council Chair: Michele Alberts, Co-Chair: Karen Lofreddi
At Large Members: Denise Stout, John Richter, Tom Lavins
Commission Members: Janet Waring, Parish Life, Joe Gutgsell, Administration & Planning, Melanie Sarros, Heidi Dresher, RE –K thru 5, Anna Embree, RE- Jr. High, Elizabeth Pyle, SIJ School, Jim Murray, Parish Staff,
Absent: Claudine Schramko, Rob Wentland, Administration & Planning; Joe Geiger, Worship Commission
Opening Prayer /Gospel Reflection- Karen Loffredi
Karen gave a reflection about the sacrament of reconciliation and Eucharist Adoration.
Approval of October PC Minutes
Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Update from Adoration Committee Members
Commission Reports
Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Guest Report: Peggy Smego & Sharon Richter
Peggy and Sharon presented the plan that included all of the preparation to begin Perpetual Adoration on Ash Wednesday, February 6, 2008. Father Pat requested a core committee plan and implement a program that would begin by Ash Wednesday. The Core group of Peg Smego, Sharon Richter, Wally Miller, Rob Klien, Charmaine Crane and Ann Veselik has begun to recruit 28 leaders for all the sections of the day that would include 2 adorers per hour. Leadership Training is planned for January 17, 2008. All parish groups are being contacted to participate and Father Goddert will speak to the parish on January 26 & 27th at all the Masses about the importance of Eucharistic Adoration in the lives of Catholics.
Administration and Planning – Joe Gutgsell presented the Parish Financial Stewardship annual report. The report shows a drop during 2006 in contributions which were attributed to the renovation. Average Weekly collection was about $36,400.00. Fall collections since the renovations has been completed are lower than budgeted. A Stewardship Plan is the dedicated work of the Council for 2008.
Christian Service – John Richter gave the update on the success of the St. Vincent’s Clothing drive. John reported and Scott Brechtel is busy with the Adopted a Family gifts program that provided gifts to over 110 families in need. Christian Service is also presenting a free concert with the Catholic vocalist Tatiana on December 2 in the church and all are welcome. Father Pat also invited us to the St. Isaac Jogues Children’s Choir Christmas Concert on December 9th in the church that is provided free to the parish.
Parish Life - Janet Waring reminded the Parish Council of the upcoming events in 2008. Matthew Kelly, Catholic Author and Teacher will be our Parish Mission retreat leader starting on March 9, 10 and 11th in the church. He will have all of his books and CDs for sale at this event. Janet also reported a $500.00 profit from the “Nuns in Charge” production and again reminded the PC how happy parishioners were with the evening of fellowship and fun. She recommended more events like this one in 2008. A welcoming program for returning Catholics was suggested to increase the growth of the parish.
Worship – Jim Murray told us that the new Hymnals were arriving soon. Altar Server training for new Servers were scheduled for December 5 in the church. Eucharistic Minister Training was also scheduled in December. A Parish Reconciliation and Prayer Service is scheduled for December 18th in the church and would include 6 visiting priests to be available for confession.
Michele Alberts and Anna Embree formed a PC Core Team to investigate activating a babysitting program for the 9 and 10:30 Sunday Masses. Anna Embree did confirm the details of our previous program with Lois Legner ( former SIJ parish Secretary) to determine how to make this a viable alternative for parents with small children that need and have requested babysitting. There will be an Adult paid babysitter who must complete the God’s Precious Children training who will be the lead babysitter with teen volunteers as helpers. Updated child equipment and toys were part of the plan for the program.
Religious Education - K – 5 grade Parent Commission Representative, Melanie Sarros discussed the Bible Program for 3rd and 6th grade students. First Communion for all second grade students is scheduled for the weekends of April 19 and 26, 2008. The RE is working on a website for parents to access information. Hiedi Dresher told about the Advent Prayer Service planned for Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 11:45 in the parish center. All parents of RE children are invited to attend Funding for this program was donated by the parents from the RE Commission. Discussion about parent’s objections to a ban on sending home flyers and any literature not pertaining to the RE students as suggested by the RE directors, Helen and Janet brought a negative response from several members of the SIJ school parents and RE parents who claim this will not perpetuate cooperation between these two groups in the parish. RE directors, Janet and Karen will also conduct end of the year reports with Catechists.
Middle School & Youth Ministry Parent Representative, Anna Embree told us that a part time staff person was hired by the RE staff. The Youth Mass was planned for December 29th at the noon mass. Anna told us that the YM program was going to begin the Jeff Cavin's Bible Timeline in January. The sacrament of Confirmation is scheduled for March 8, 2008 for all 8th grade students in the parish.
Parish Staff – Jim Murray updated the council members that our parish had Father William DiSalvo of Holy Trinity conduct a deanery report of the parish for the diocese on November 19, 2007. Father DiSalvo, pastor of Holy Trinity is head of the Eastern DuPage Deanery of the Joliet Diocese. This report is sent to Bishop Sartain and includes updates to him about our parish finances, staff requirements for God’s Precious Children certifications and other parish information
SIJ School – Elizabeth Pyle told the PC that the website for the school should be ready to navigate for parents of SIJ students very soon. Catholic Schools Week is set for January 27 thru February 7, 2008. The SIJ School Auction is planned for February 9,2008.
Pastor Remarks. Father Bill Donnelly reminded the PC that we are still facing the possibility of
Father Pat Murphy being assigned to a new parish in June of 2008. (Heaven help us!) due to the diocesan
wide priest shortage. Father Bill is expecting the PC to continue to help the parish prepare for these changes. He explained the Deanery structure of the Joliet Diocese that most of the PC was not aware that we are a part of. He also requested that the PC begin to gather information about the Stewardship Program for the parish and try to bring in the financial leaders of the parish to assist in this effort.
Closing Prayer: Karen Loffredi ended with a prayer for vocations in our parish.
Next Meeting – Monday, February 25, 2008 at 7:00 pm in the Fireplace Room of the Parish Center
Minutes faithfully submitted January 16, 2008 – Denise Stout, PC Secretary
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