ST. BONIFACE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

MINUTES – May 22, 2007

The meeting was opened at 7:00 p.m.  For faith formation, Father Joe spoke about Trinity Sunday and encouraged Council members to pray for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our parish.

Roll call was taken.   Members Present:  Father Joe, Tim Banish, Lisa Biedenbach, Beth Kessler, Tom LeSaint, Amy Robinson, Mary Ann Thaler, Henry Wesseler, Rosemary Welz.  Carol Roosa and newly elected member, Bob Frerick, were also present.

The minutes of the March 27 meeting were approved as published.

Old Business:

Parish Pastoral Council Elections  --  Tom LeSaint reported that Tim Banish, Bob Frerick Jeanne Guenthner, Scott Rice and Ruthann Sammarco were elected to Council.  Tim, Jeanne and Ruthann were re-elected for a second term.  Tom thanked the nominating committee and everyone who volunteered to run for Council.

Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED)  --  Carol Roosa reported that the AED has not been purchased as yet.  The Health and Wellness Committee is trying to get a grant to cover the cost.

Parish Activities Survey  --  The survey presented at the March meeting was reviewed and discussed.  The survey will contain activities for faith formation as well as for fundraisers and social events.  It was suggested that attendance at the musical events might be increased if the events were held earlier in the afternoon.

Small Church Communities  --  Carol Roosa reported that Sean Reynolds will speak to the young adults in the parish.  He is available for some dates in September and also in November.

Direct Deposit  --  Carol Roosa spoke with North Side Bank about the possibility of direct deposit for weekly Offertory contributions.  She has not received anything back from the bank as yet.

New Business:

Religious Publications  --  Mary Ann Thaler asked if copies of the lector workbook could be made available to parishioners.  After discussion, it was suggested that a few copies could be placed in the parish library.  Lisa Biedenbach commented that there are many religious publications available through St. Anthony Messenger Press that might be of interest to parishioners.  Lisa will send Carol a list of these publications.

Strategic Plan  --  Fr. Joe commented that we are in need of someone who can share some of the administrative/secretarial work of the parish. The Finance Committee is currently considering the possibility.  This led to a discussion of developing a long-term strategic plan for the parish.  Carol will take this idea to the parish staff.  Lisa Biedenbach suggested that, over the summer, Council members think about the SWOT technique to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the parish.

For the Good of the Parish:

Father Joe and Council members reported the following.

·        There are currently about 150 students enrolled in St. Boniface School.  There are about 125 students registered for 2007-08, with approximately 40 new students pending.

·        The repair work on the front of the school is complete, except for replacing the railing, which should be replaced this week.

·        There are a number of remodeling projects planned for the school this summer.  Much wasted space will be put to good use.

·        Eighth grade graduation will be Wednesday, May 30, at 7:00 p.m.  The last day of school is Friday, June 1.

·        A lot of work has been done on the organ, including new keys and pedals.  There is enough money in the organ fund to enable us to update a few more things.

·        The annual mission appeal will be June 9 and 10.  A priest from Nigeria will be speaking at all the Masses.

·        No date has been set for Forty Hours as yet.  Father feels that we might be able to increase attendance at Forty Hours by combining the closing ceremony and dinner with a couple of birthdays.

·        An annual financial report to the parish will be published later this year.  The parish is currently $73,482 ahead for our fiscal year which ends June 30th. (This surplus will allow us to do some much needed improvements, including the possibility of hiring an assistant for the parish office.)  The surplus amount is due mainly to bequests, some from people we did not know.  Without the bequests, we would be just about breaking even for the year.

·        We reached the parish goal of $15,000 for the Archdiocesan Fund Drive.  Our total, including pledges, came to $16,750.  Father is proud of St. Boniface since we have only missed our goal once in fifteen years.

·        We are trying to get a meeting together to plan the Thanksgiving Dinner.  Pete Rebold volunteered to chair the event.

·        Six people were received into the Church on Holy Saturday.

·        Carol is continuing to take classes at the Athenaeum.  She will be recognized as a parish administrator when her course is completed.

·        Around the beginning of October, Father Jim Schutte will take over St. Joseph Parish, leaving Father Joe with only St. Boniface.

Unless there is a need for a July meeting, the next meeting will be September 25.  The meeting was closed with prayer at 8:45 p.m.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Rosemary L. Welz, Secretary