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ST. BONIFACE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MINUTES – JANUARY 22, 2009
The meeting was opened at 7:00 p.m. For Faith Formation, Father Joe noted that Sunday, January 25, is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul and read eight thoughts that St. Paul had regarding prayer: (1) prayer is not easy but the Holy Spirit will help us to pray; (2) prayers should be prayers of thanksgiving that lead to joy; (3) prayer puts us in touch with the kingdom of God; (4) St. Paul prayed for the supplication of others; (5) St. Paul asked the community to pray for him; (6) mental prayer is when we lift our hearts and minds to God; (7) Christian prayer should be simple; (8) prayer is not optional or occasional for Christians.
Roll call was taken. Members Present: Father Joe, Tim Banish, Lisa Biedenbach, Ted Boliske, Dave Bracken, Kathie Fahey, Bob Frerick; Jeanne Guenthner, Jim Kuhn, Amy Porta, Ruthann Sammarco, Scott Rice, Rosemary Welz. Carol Roosa was also present.
The minutes of the November 20 meeting were approved as published.
New Business:
Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) -- Tim Banish mentioned that there is a new website where individuals can vote against the Freedom of Choice Act. If passed, this bill would create a right to abortion the government could not limit and bring about a national abortion policy far worse than Roe vs. Wade. The website is: www.fightfoca.com Father Joe added that this weekend those attending Mass will be asked to sign postcards opposing the bill. The postcards are preaddressed to our senators and district representatives.
Piano in Church – Tim Banish commented that the marble extension for the piano is very attractive, but that the back of the piano is somewhat unsightly. Carol Roosa replied that the back of the piano will be covered with fabric that will help the piano blend in with the surroundings.
Cell Phones in Church – Tim Banish asked if we could ask people to either turn off their cell phones or set them on vibrate during Mass. Recently three cell phones rang during the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Carol Roosa said that she would be able to make tape strips asking people to either turn off their cell phones or set them on vibrate during Mass. These tapes will be placed on the song book racks in the pews.
Heating the Cry Room -- Carol Roosa reported that Al Murnan is working on running a heat pipe from the boiler room into the cry room.
CAIN -- Tim Banish reported that the CAIN facility was closed several days because a water pipe broke and flooded the building. Carol Roosa mentioned that the parish donates $300 to CAIN each month and our St. Vincent de Paul Society donates an additional $400 each month.
For the Good of the Parish
Father Joe and Council members reported on the following:
· There are currently 157 students enrolled in St. Boniface School. Rosemary Welz outlined some of the activities planned for Catholic Schools Week, January 25-31. Dave Bracken commented that the school Christmas play, “Angels Aware,” was very well done. The school has received some good publicity lately. The new mosaics were featured in the Enquirer and on Channel 12 News and the picture of St. Boniface was featured in the Catholic Telegraph. · Father Joe felt that the Christmas liturgies went very well. Several Council members commented on how lovely the church looked. · The Four Chaplains Mass will be Sunday, February 8, at 12:00 noon. · Deacon Jerry Yetter will be preaching at the Masses the weekend of February 21-22. Anointing of the sick will take place after the Masses that weekend. · Ash Wednesday is February 25. There will be services on Wednesday evenings during Lent, including Evening Prayer on March 11 and a Penance Service on April 1. Both of these services will be preceded by a Soup Supper. There will also be Fish Fries on six of the Lenten Fridays. · Father Joe published an annual financial report to the parish shortly before Christmas. The Archdiocese requires that the financial report be published once a year. The parish finished 2008 $11,464 ahead. Father reported that our Christmas collection was very good, but the weekly collections are down about 5%. Carol Roosa added that Duke Energy was unable to read the meters for several months, so we can be expecting a big gas and electric bill. · The annual Catholic Ministries Appeal will be the weekend of March 7-8. Our parish goal is $15,823. · The Thanksgiving Festival made approximately $7,200. Carol Roosa asked that anyone who has ideas for next year’s festival should let her know. · Father Joe reported that the next major repair is the church windows which will cost almost $100,000. The concrete work and the work on the upper parking lot have been completed. Father still plans to fix the uneven floor at the front of church. · Blood pressure screening will be the weekend of January 24-25. Our Health and Wellness Ministry made 664 contacts with parishioners during 2008, which included visits to homes, hospitals and nursing homes, transportation and blood pressure screening. · Tim Banish, Kathie Fahey, Bob Frerick, and Scott Rice volunteered to serve on the nominating committee for Parish Pastoral Council. Three positions need to be filled. Lisa Biedenbach volunteered to design the ballot and to have it printed. · The last Spiritual Book Club meeting went very well. The club discussed the book, Saints at the Dinner Table. Future books to be discussed are a historical novel by Anne Rice about Jesus growing up and Thomas Merton’s Seven Story Mountain. · The Young Adult Group met for the first time in December. Jenni Lindgren hopes to establish a core leadership group. Lisa Biedenbach suggested putting a blog on the parish website. · Father Joe has been appointed dean of the Cathedral Deanery for another four years. · Amy Kelm and Chris Noel will present a musical program on Sunday, February 15, at 4:00 p.m. in church. · Dionne Thompson, the principal of St. Joseph School, volunteered to serve on the Cincinnati Area Commission on Education.
The next meeting will be Thursday, March 26. The meeting was closed at 8:00 p.m. with prayer by Father Joe.
Respectfully submitted.
Rosemary Welz, Secretary
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