The meeting was opened at 8:00 p.m. For Faith Formation, Father Joe read the gospel for Sunday, October 2, which tells the parable of the man who leased his vineyard to tenants. When the landowner sent his servants to collect his share of the harvest, the servants were beaten and killed by the tenants. The landowner then sent his son to the vineyard and the tenants killed his son also. Council members shared their thoughts on the gospel. Views expressed were that the tenants represented the scribes and Pharisees and also that God’s love will never stop sending people to save us.

Roll call was taken. Members Present: Father Joe, Tim Banish, Lisa Biedenbach, Dave Bracken, Missy Craig, Joe Dempsey, Kathie Fahey, Jerry Finke, Beth Kessler, Tom LeSaint, Doug Mercer, Amy Robinson, Ruthann Sammarco, Mary Ann Thayler, John Twombly, Rosemary Welz. Carol Roosa was also present.

The minutes of the May 31 meeting were approved as published.

Father Joe installed the new Council members, Lisa Biedenbach, Dave Bracken, Beth Kessler and Mary Ann Thayler.

Council Vice-Chairperson -- Missy Craig volunteered to serve as Council Vice-Chairperson for the coming year. Kathie Fahey had prepared new books of the Council constitution and by-laws, which were given to the new Council members.

Sign -- The new sign has been installed and looks good. There are still a few minor things that need to be done. Carol Roosa asked for suggestions of someone to paint the special signs (bingo, fish fries, etc.) and was given several names. Anyone wishing to have a special sign made should contact Carol.

Oktoberfest -- Tim Banish reported that everything has been ordered for the Oktoberfest. Workers are still needed for various booths. Becky Robinson will be contacting people regarding working. Workers are also needed for set-up on Friday and Saturday beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Lighting -- Father Joe reported that we are still trying to get more estimates. No bids had been received because it was felt that the plans drawn up by the architect were too vague. One bid for $25,000 was received from Gilkey Electric and that would include the pole lamps and lighting the bell tower and the front of the church. Tony Michel feels that Al Murnan could put the poles in and Al thinks he can do the concrete work. The Finance committee would make the final decision regarding the bids. After much discussion, Ruthann Sammarco moved that two additional lighting companies be contacted for bids and that the Finance Committee be given the authority to accept the bid they feel is the most appropriate. Lisa Biedenbach seconded the motion. Council approved the motion.

Solemn Annual Eucharistic Devotion -- The parish Solemn Annual Eucharistic Devotion (formerly 40 Hours) will be held the weekend of November 18-20. The parish Thanksgiving Dinner will be on Sunday, November 20, from 1:00-6:00 p.m. People who attend the Eucharistic Devotion closing liturgy at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday will receive free tickets for the Thanksgiving Dinner. The community Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 20. The site is yet to be determined.

Parish Council Commissions -- Lisa Biedenbach asked if the Parish Pastoral Council Commissions were still in existence. Father Joe explained that the commissions had been eliminated because there are not enough people to serve on them. The parish does have a Finance Committee and also a School Board.

Parish Theme for Lent -- Lisa Biedenbach asked if we could develop a parish-wide theme for Lent; for example, material and spiritual poverty. Father Joe asked if Lisa could prepare a concrete plan for this. Lisa will bring some videos to the next meeting for preview.

For the Good of the Parish:

Father Joe and Council members reported the following.

·There are 151 children currently attending St. Boniface School. Dave Bracken asked how many Catholic students attended St. Boniface School. Father Joe replied that about 20% of our enrollment is Catholic and added that one of the missions of CISE is to provide education for the poor. The Archdiocese is developing a plan that would involve the CISE schools. This would include creating a school system with a school board and an education coordinator. There would also be a uniform tuition rate for all the CISE schools and a central tuition collection point

·Four classes from St. Boniface School held a reunion on Saturday, September 10. $4,000 was collected for the Sister Ludmilla Scholarship.

·Father Joe will be saying Mass at St. Joseph’s on the third Sunday of each month, which is the day they hold their Parish Pastoral Council meetings. Father Harry Meyer will be saying Mass at St. Boniface on those Sundays.

·Father distributed a financial statement for the year to date. The parish is currently about $2,000 in the red. Father explained that this is due to our insurance premium, the Archdiocesan annual assessment, and the fact that the parish is required to provide the Catholic Telegraph for 50% of the parishioners. Father feels that the fifth Sunday in October, the Oktoberfest and the Thanksgiving Dinner in November will help to offset this deficit. The parish ended the last fiscal year $2,000 ahead. The parish gives $30,000 annually to the school to cover the utility costs. Also, Mike Murnan was hired while Al was ill and has stayed on as an employee.

·The Archbishop is concerned about the debt in the Archdiocese. Parishes are in debt in the total amount of $28,000,000. St. Boniface Parish owes nothing and will not be asked to help with the existing debt.

·There are currently six people enrolled in the RCIA program.

·The Parish Nurse Project is doing well. Blood pressure screening is held the last weekend of each month. Several people who were not aware that they had dangerously high blood pressure were identified through these monthly screenings.

·The Vocation Office has asked us to send in a plan to promote vocations. Father Joe plans to do this through (1) repetition and public prayer – including an intention for vocations in the Prayer of the Faithful and during Holy Hour; (2) personal contact – Father Joe and Father Lammeier will speak about vocations, including their personal experiences, the weekend of October 8-9; (3) vocation posters will be displayed on the bulletin board in church. Tim Banish suggested that a link to the Vocation Office could be put on our parish website. Lisa Biedenbach suggested that a prayer for vocations be included on the weekly liturgy bulletin. Lisa also suggested that profiles of sons and daughters of the parish who are in the religious life could be published in the bulletin. Lisa volunteered to make these contacts.

·Father Joe reported that, as Dean of the Cathedral Deanery, he had installed new pastors at St. Xavier Church and St. Francis Seraph Church.

·The following musical programs are planned at St. Boniface. The American Boy Choir will perform on October 30. The sale of tickets for this presentation will cover any expenses incurred. The Vocal Arts Ensemble will perform on December 9. Don Auberger will have an organ concert on February 2 and Matt Phelps will perform on March 26. All programs, except the Vocal Arts Ensemble, will be at 4:00 p.m.

·Father Joe has had no further contact from the real estate agent handling the property at Chase and Gordon Street nor from the owners of the gas station at Chase and Kirby.

·Father was pleased with the response he received from the flyer asking for festival and bingo workers.

·Al Murnan is currently working on calking the high story windows of the church.

·Alex Shields will be installed as an Eagle Scout on Sunday, October 2, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Boniface Church.

·The Archbishop has approved the plan for pastoral regions. The regions will be announced on October 19.

·Bishop Moeddel is now about 90% recovered. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

·Lisa Biedenbach asked if it would be possible to have a music exchange between St. Joseph and St. Boniface Parishes. Father Joe will talk with Don Auberger and the music minister at St. Joseph about this.

 

The next meeting will be November 29. The meeting was closed with prayer at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemary L. Welz, Secretary