ST. BONIFACE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

MINUTES – MAY 22, 2008

 

 

The meeting was opened at 7:00 p.m.  For faith formation, since Sunday, May 25, is the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, Father Joe spoke about how this is one of the challenges of our faith.  About 50% of Catholics do not believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.  Father cited St. John’s Gospel, Chapter 6, where Jesus tells the people that His flesh is real food and His blood is real drink.

 

Roll call was taken.   Members Present:  Father Joe, Tim Banish, Lisa Biedenbach, Bob Frerick, Mike Grause, Jeanne Guenthner, Beth Kessler, Tom LeSaint, Amy Porta, Henry Wesseler, Rosemary Welz.  Carol Roosa and newly elected member, Ted Boliske, were also present.

 

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

 

Old Business:

 

Parish Council Elections  --  Henry Wesseler reported that there had been a total of 11 candidates for Parish Pastoral Council.  The five people receiving the highest number of votes were Jim Kuhn, Lisa Biedenbach, Dave Bracken, Kathie Fahey and Ted Boliske.  Father Joe thanked the nominating committee and everyone who had volunteered to run for Council.  Father Joe also thanked outgoing members, Beth Kessler, Tom LeSaint, and Mary Ann Thaler for serving on Council.

 

Spiritual Book Club  --  Lisa Biedenbach reported that 10 people had attended the book club discussion on Sunday, May 18.  The club members were able to have an hour discussion with the author by telephone.  A guest from St. Vivian Parish attended the meeting since they are considering forming a spiritual book club in their parish.  The next meeting will be Sunday, July 20.  A book about Lourdes will be the topic for discussion and the members will again have the opportunity to have a discussion with the author by telephone.

 

CPR Classes  --  Carol Roosa reported that Scott Rice’s cousin, who is a certified CPR instructor, is willing to conduct a CPR class for free; however, there is a $5.00 charge for the certification card.  Mary Jeanne Feldkamp is exploring the possibility of obtaining a CPR kit that would include the mannequin.  There will be a notice in the bulletin asking how many people would be interested in taking CPR instruction.

 

 

New Business

 

Safety  --  Lisa Biedenbach reported that there was a stranger at the 12:00 noon Mass.  The man sat in the front pew and acted in a somewhat hostile manner.   Carol Roosa replied that there is a phone in the sacristy and we could call 911 in the event of any emergency.   Lisa also questioned the safety of the collection money which is placed in front of the altar until the end of Mass.  Lisa reported that several parishes in the archdiocese have been the victim of copper thieves (gutters, downspouts).  Father Joe replied that we have taken measures to deter copper thieves.  Lisa suggested that we have a safety assessment done of the parish plant.  The Cincinnati Police will do this assessment free of charge.

 

 

For the Good of the Parish:

 

Father Joe and Council members reported the following.

 

·         Father Joe attended a meeting at Little Flower as a follow up to Father Stricker’s being put on leave.  Father will put a notice in the bulletin that if anyone has any questions about Father Stricker’s leave of absence, they can call Father Joe or Father Joe Binzer.  Specific questions cannot be answered because of confidentiality.  Anyone wishing to write to Father Stricker can do so through St. Boniface or Little Flower parishes.  Anyone wishing to write a letter in support of Father Stricker can write to Father Joe Binzer, 100 East Eighth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

 

·         St. Boniface School will be ending the school year with approximately 150 students.  Eighth grade graduation is Wednesday, May 28, at 7:00 p.m. in church.  All are welcome to attend.

·         Sister Ann and the school staff are working on a celebration for the 75th anniversary of our school building.

·         We have been struggling with our budget for the school.  CISE is not in a position to give every CISE school what is needed.  We came up about $40,000 short of what we asked for.  We had to tighten our belts, in particular for salary raises for next year.  We are about $10,000 short for next year.

·         Confirmation was held on Sunday, April 13, at the 12:00 noon Mass.  Old St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart parishes joined with us.   One adult and 28 children were confirmed.   There was a pot luck meal afterwards and it went very well.

·         The new cruets for the holy oils are now on display on the wall above the baptismal font.

·         We will have a mission appeal the weekend of June 7-8.

·         We ended April with a profit of $28,376.  However, the assessment bill for $24,000 was received this week.  We hope to break even by the end of the fiscal year (June 30).  Any surplus we have will be put toward the school utilities.

·         The parish will hold a White Elephant Sale on June 8.  Anyone wishing to help with the sale should contact the rectory.

·         Two new ranks of pipes were installed on the organ this week.  Funds were donated specifically for this purpose.

·         Father Joe would like to move the piano in church in front of St. Joseph’s altar.  The piano will be facing the people and it will be easier for the pianist to lead the singing.  The piano is used almost every Friday during the school year for the children’s Masses.

·         Father would like to take care of the uneven floor in the front of the church.   Most parishioners are used to it but it presents a problem when we have guests, which is often.  Father will explore pricing for this.

·         Father Joe commented on the passing of Edna Mae Krommer.  She was a real pillar of the parish and the community.

·         Blood pressure will be checked the weekend of May 24-25.

·         Deacon Ted Schmidt has officially resigned from full active ministry; however, he will remain a deacon.  He and Roselyn are moving to Little Sisters of  the Poor.  They will remain parishioners and may be able to help out in some ways.  There will be a reception after Mass to recognize their many years of faithful service.

·         Ed and Judy Gettler are going to coordinate the RCIA next year.

·         Kathy and Ron Sonderman are coordinating the St. Vincent de Paul.

·         Jerry and Mary Ellen Yetter will do baptismal preparation, marriage preparation, annulments, baptisms, marriages and trips to the cemetery.  Mary Ellen has been handling funeral preparations for quite a while.  Tim and Donna Banish will be helping with marriage preparation.

·         Carol Roosa passed all her studies for certification as a Parish Administrator.  If St. Boniface should ever have to share a pastor, Carol would be fully qualified to be Parish Administrator.

·         There will be an open house tour in Northside on October 5.  The coordinators asked if the rectory could be on the tour.  We may need some hosts and hostesses on that Sunday afternoon if we make the final cut.

·         In 2013 St. Boniface Parish will celebrate our 150th anniversary.  Father would like to organize a committee to plan a celebration.  Father hopes to include the memorial pavers as part of this event.

 

The next meeting will be September 25.  New Council members will be installed at that time.  The meeting was closed at 8:20 p.m. with prayer by Father Joe.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                    Rosemary Welz, Secretary