ST. BONIFACE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MINUTES

September 25, 2007

The meeting was opened at 7:00 p.m.  For faith formation, Father Joe read the gospel for the following Sunday about the poor beggar, Lazarus, and the rich man.  Father Joe commented about how many people had come to the rectory asking for assistance with utilities or rent.  This led to further discussion.  Lisa Biedenbach suggested that our St. Vincent de Paul Society publish the statistics of how many families they help.  Jeanne Guenthner suggested that we have a drive asking for bags containing specific grocery and personal care items and volunteered to assist with this.  Amy Robinson suggested that we have a list of community resources, including Catholic Social Services, available to people who come asking for assistance.

 

Roll call was taken.   Members Present:  Father Joe, Tim Banish, Lisa Biedenbach, Dave Bracken, Jeanne Guenthner, Tom LeSaint, Scott Rice, Amy Robinson, Ruthann Sammarco, Mary Ann Thaler, Henry Wesseler, Rosemary Welz.  Carol Roosa was also present. 

The minutes of the May 22 meeting were approved as published.

 

Old Business:

Fall Festival  --  Tim Banish reported that the booth and chairpersons are lined up for the festival.  Tim and Tyler Banish will provide the music.  Becky and Doug Robinson are in charge of the kitchen.

Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED)  --  Carol Roosa reported that the Health and Wellness Ministry has not been able to get a grant to purchase the AED.  Mary Jeanne Feldkamp will be invited to attend the next meeting to discuss the situation.  Scott Rice volunteered to look into user training.

 

New Business

Council Chair and Vice Chair  --  Amy Robinson was elected Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson and Jeanne Guenthner was elected Vice Chairperson for this year.

 

For the Good of the Parish:

Father Joe and Council members reported the following.

·        There are currently about 168 students enrolled in St. Boniface School.  Extensive renovations were made possible by a bequest and were completed during the summer.  These included room air conditioners in the classrooms, enlarging the basement bathrooms, adding an additional staff bathroom, and creating work areas for volunteers.  An open house is planned during Catholic Schools Week in January.

·        We have received a large donation for work on the church organ.  Additional equipment will be updated this fall.

·        Forty Hours Devotion will be October 12-14.  Following the closing ceremony on Sunday, October 14, there will be a celebration honoring Father Joe, Carol Roosa, Sister Ann, and Deacon Ted Schmidt.  Reservations are required.  Ruthann Sammarco asked for help on Friday, October 12, to set up for the celebration.
 

·        Father Joe reported that a parish financial report will be published later this year.  Carol Roosa distributed a financial report for the year to date.  The parish is currently about $33,000 ahead.  Carol asked for a motion that the parish pay the insurance for the school for this year and, at the end of the fiscal year, give the school $30,000 if needed.  Jeanne Guenthner so moved and Tom LeSaint seconded.  The motion was approved.

·        Jenni Lindgren began working at the parish on August 1.  She is still in the learning process and is enrolled in the LPMP program.  Her LPMP project for next year will be a young adult ministry in the parish.

·        Jenni will attend a meeting next week about the Catholic Ministry Appeal, which was formerly the Archbishop’s Annual Fund Drive.

·        There are currently 4 adults and one 5th grader enrolled in the RCIA program.

·        Carol Roosa is taking more classes at the Atheneum for Parish Administration.

·        Father Joe’s last regularly scheduled Mass at St. Joseph was last week.  Father Jim Schutte will be taking over St. Joseph Parish.  Father Joe will still be serving as Dean of the Cathedral Deanery for the next 15 months.

·        Father Joe asked Council members’ opinions on moving the Parish Pastoral Council meetings to Thursday.  The only conflict might be choir practice; however, it was suggested that perhaps on Council Thursdays, the choir could practice in church.  It was also suggested that Council could meet in the school.  It was moved and seconded that Parish Pastoral Council meetings be held on the 4th Thursday of every other month.

Because of Thanksgiving, the next meeting will be Thursday, November 29, at 7:00 p.m.  The meeting was closed at 8:00 p.m. with prayer by Father Joe.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Rosemary L. Welz, Secretary