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PRINCE OF PEACE COUNCIL MINUTES
March 16 , 2006
Walking Together, Growing in Faith”
Opening Prayer: Sister Mary Ann Phelan and all council members said the opening prayer, followed by a reading from Matthew. We then had “Reflections on How to Fast” read by council members and then silent reflection. All said the closing prayer.
Roll Call: Members present: Father Tony Herold, Father Thom Hennen, Mary Beth Butt, Fran Cornwell, Jim DeMong, Kathleen DeMong, Kathy Eggers, Michelle Griffin, Denise Laufenberg, Joseph Leonard, Marlys Lyons, Beverly Putman, Mark Regenwether, Charles Rutledge, Tom VanBuer, Bart Vander Bleek, Lenny Weih, Odelia Schrunk, Sister Mary Ann Phelan
Deacons Present: Ray Hilgendorf, Jeff Schuetzle
High School Representative: Kara Seitz
School Board Representative: Carol Crigger
Faith Facilities: Michael Pittman
Staff Present: Brenda Bertram, Annette Lyons, Betty Mantsch, Dave Schnier
Finance Commission: Ed Kross
Excused Absent: Michael Rastrelli
Guests: Gabriela Egging, Gerilyn Jacobs
Guest Commentary: Gerilyn Jacobs came to inform the council that they are trying to raise money for a Lending Library for the parish. They are selling desserts at the Fish Fry in the hopes of making money to buy books, DVD’s, etc to put in our library. Father Thom said the objective would be to weed out and re-organize the library already in existence. Some suggestions followed.
Approval of Agenda: Approved as printed.
Communications: None
Approval of Minutes: Approved as printed.
Pastor’s Report: Father Tony mentioned that he and Father Thom are holding a series of discussions during Lent. Father stated they had a gathering about the possibility of going to Peru, but it will probably be postponed due to cost of air travel and taking time away from Bishop Dan with the ordination due in June. Father mentioned we have two seminarians staying at the rectory. Father mentioned the parish self-study that was done last fall. This study was compiled from all 85 parishes in the diocese. The specific results will be given on May 11th and Father is encouraging as many council members as possible to attend. This meeting will be at St. Joe’s in DeWitt. Father mentioned that Bishop Franklin would be here for Confirmation on March 26. Another Holy Hour has been added on Thursday night plus the Stations of the Cross on Friday during Lent. The Chrism Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 5th at 4:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Father mentioned we are in great need of volunteers for the Environment committee with the Easter decorations being needed very shortly.
Open Discussion: Liturgical Design of New Church: Gabriela Egging gave the presentation of the progress of the Liturgical Design committee. Gabriela said they are using the Built of Living Stones and Liturgical Environment documents and learning a lot. Gabriela mentioned some of the things they have learned. One being the ultimate reason for the Eucharist is for the transformation of its people. It should create a change in us into being a participant not an observer. Liturgy is processional so we need to have aisles wide enough to cover many things. Liturgy is dialogic, meaning it is not just us - we need to respond to what Father says and to the presence of God. We need to see, hear, and touch one another. Also it needs to be a Holy Place, this needs to be felt by all of us. It also needs to be uncluttered and simple but profound. It should reflect our culture and be inclusive. Primary objects – need to have only one fixed substantial altar and it should be stone, if possible. The ambo is another important object. The Baptismal font needs to be total immersion and somewhere between the gathering space and the body of the church. It should be very visible and accessible. The tabernacle needs to be in its own dedicated space. Gabriela mentioned they have traveled to various churches. Gabriela also mentioned Deacon Agnoli has helped them tremendously. The choir will no longer be up front, it needs to be off to the side so they come from the body of the assembly. The ambo is where the Word is read. Announcements need to be done at a different place. Gabriela mentioned RDG would be coming on March 23 and 24. At these meetings they will be working on the schematic design of the arrangement of the seating, altar, tabernacle, and choir. Much discussion followed.
Old Business:
Update Information on Closing of Churches. Joe gave a recap of where we are. St. Boniface and St. Irenaeus will be used for weddings and funerals and special occasions. We will continue the same schedule we are currently using for the summer with Masses at St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart.
New Business:
Choose Discussion Topic for April 20, 2006 meeting: After some discussion it was decided that we would have the Stewardship Committee give a report.
Faith Facility Report: A written report was submitted. Mike Pittman reported that Bishop Franklin signed the contract agreement for RDG schematic design phase. RDG will be conducting meetings on March 23rd and 24th. Estes Construction was chosen as the general contractor. There will be a meeting with RSI campaign consultants on March 30th, 7:00 pm, concerning planning for the second capital campaign. We are in the process of developing long term site entrance options to present to the city. There are no plans by the City Council as to how the streets should be laid out. Discussion followed on where the roads leading into the church will be. We will be planning a town hall meeting sometime after Easter.
Prince of Peace School Report: A written report was submitted. Carol Crigger said the window project was completed on December 22nd. The 5th grade students participated in a D.A.R.E. graduation on February 27th. Several high school students will be performing in individual events at Tipton on March 4th. The spring musical will be March 23, 24 and 25. The girl’s basketball team performed well. They were awarded the district championship on February 18th. Registration for next school year will begin in early March. The annual Lenten Food Drive got underway in March. The middle school students performed “The Princess and the Princess” on March 16th. The school’s Pot O’Blue & Gold fundraiser is being kicked off the weekend of March 18-19 with the $25,000 Raffle.
COMMISSION REPORTS:
Parish Life: No written report. Sister Mary Ann reported on the pictorial directory. Sister said the proofs were sent in and they need 20 days before proofs are sent back and then another 20 days for the printing. Sister also said there would be some social event this summer for the parish.
Liturgical & Spiritual Life Commission: Written reports submitted. Father Thom mentioned that Tom Judge, chair for this commission has been very ill. Father Thom has been chairing this commission. Father said altar server training went very well and he had fun doing it. Denise mentioned a few items covered in the written reports.
Social Action Commission: Written reports submitted. Lenny Weih reported on the January meeting with the Pantry fund collection monies sent to Information Referral, Pantries United and the Victory Center. Father Tony mentioned the banquet for raising funds for Peru being held at the Tuscany Room on April 1st. Father thanked Ray Mantsch for getting this put together.
Finance Commission: Ed Kross reported we exceeded our goal for the Diocesan Appeal. On our Building Peace Campaign, we have pledged over $3.5M and have reached $2.5M in payments. We are at 72% of our goal with one year yet to go. Ed reported that the Catholic Messenger dues are still short of goal. What we don’t collect will have to be paid by the parish. We are hoping for an early court decision on our appeal on the tax-exempt status of St. Patrick’s property. The pre-construction fee for Estes Construction was approved. Ed mentioned the very time consuming process of selecting the contractor.
Faith Formation: Written reports submitted. Marlys stated all the information is in the reports. The two main issues they are working on are “Why Catholic” and Generations of Faith Mary devotions. There will be only ONE Mass on Saturday, May 13th, which will also involve some activities at Central Catholic Auditorium.
Father Tony led us in our parish prayer.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, April 20, 2006, 7:00 P.M. at St. Boniface Hall.
Respectfully submitted: Beverly Putman