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PRINCE OF PEACE COUNCIL MINUTES
September
15, 2005
"Walking Together, Growing in Faith"
Opening
Prayer: Sister Mary Ann Phelan and President Joe Leonard led the opening prayer,
with reflection and prayer based on the Pastoral Council goals
Roll Call:
Members present: Father Tony Herold, Father Thom Hennen, Mary Beth Butt, Fran
Cornwell, Jim DeMong, Kathleen DeMong, Kathy Eggers, Denise Laufenberg, Joseph
Leonard, Marlys Lyons, Beverly Putman, Charles Rutledge, Tom VanBuer, Lenny Weih,
Odelia Schrunk, Michael Rastrelli and Sister Mary Ann Phelan.
Deacons Present:
Art Donart, Jeff Schuetzle
High School Representative: Kara Seitz
School
Board Representative: Karen Witt
Faith Facilities: Mike Pittman
Staff Present: Brenda Bertram, Betty Mantsch, Dave Schnier
Finance
Commission: None
Excused Absent: Michelle Griffin, Bart Vander
Bleek, Ed Kross
Guests: None
Approval of Agenda: Approved
as printed.
Communications: None
Approval of Minutes: Approved
as printed.
Pastor's Report: Father said he hoped that we all read the "Year in Review" and said it was an excellent overview of our parish in action. He thanked all the staff, school and everyone that helped put it together. Father Thom Hennen has arrived as our new associate and we welcomed him at the time we opened the time capsule from St. Patrick's Church. Father also mentioned that Brenda Bertram has been welcomed aboard as our new Youth Minister. Father stated that he and Dave Schnier attended an excellent workshop on Stewardship in Wichita, KS. Father said that we have initiated the Instruments of Peace Project in our parish. This will be centered on the Prayer of St. Francis, which we have adopted as our parish prayer. Father is encouraging everyone to pray it daily, especially around the 3:00 hour. Father also mentioned that we are planning on an October 17th date to gather parishioners to hear about the Pilgrimage to Peru.
Old Business:
Elections of Officers:
The officers for the coming year are: Joe Leonard, President; Kathleen DeMong,
Vice-President; and Beverly Putman, Secretary.
Parish Viability Study:
Father Tony read the report from the Bishop on the Viability of a Parish, given
to the Living of Faith committee, which works on the efforts and priorities of
each parish. The assessment has been designed to help parishes on the six (6)
ministry areas of the parish. We have been asked to get a team of people to complete
the assessment by December 1, 2005. The reports can be found on the diocesan website.
Father has asked President Joe Leonard to get five (5) people from the council,
along with the staff, to work on this. Father has suggested that this be a sub-committee
of the council.
Thoughts on Presentation from August Meeting: Father
put together a few notes on the presentation of "Learning to Think Like
a Pastoral Council Member" which was presented for Prince of Peace Parish
by John Howard. Father asked if we thought it was a worthwhile presentation. The
new council members felt it was very helpful and it was suggested we use this
format again. Joe mentioned the idea of council members being at our parish functions,
to let our parishioners know we are there for them. Joe also stated that we sometimes
spend more time on administration than focusing on other important issues. Father
said he feels we have a tremendous council and we are where we should be at this
time. Deacon Art Donart thought it would be nice if we started each Mass with
a welcome.
New Business:
October 8th Master Planning Workshop:
Father asked Mike Pittman to share his information from the Faith Facilities meeting.
There will be a workshop all day on October 8th at St. Boniface hall. RDG will
be facilitating the entire day with Joe Lang and our liturgical consultant, Brother
William. The task force will be sending out invitations to all commission chairs
and the pastoral council. It will also be open to anyone wishing to attend. We
are asked to attend all or part of this day. Mike said that they would be looking
at immediate goals and what we need to allow for in the future. The task force,
which has been expanded to 45 members, will be divided into four or five major
sub-committees. The original committee of 15 has been working for about 3 years.
Review of Mission Statement/Goals: Our mission statement is: Our mission is to walk together as caring and loving disciples of Christ encouraging spiritual growth and support for one another. The list of goals is listed on the bottom of the agenda. Father Tony suggested that the group of people looking at the Parish Viability study might lead the council in the process of reviewing our parish mission and goals. What are the needs that this parish should be addressing this year?
Prince of Peace School Report: A written report was submitted. Karen Witt gave an overview of the report. The family potlucks will be continued. Karen mentioned there is a new document from the Catholic Bishops "In support of Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools" that may be of interest. It was asked if they could present a brief power point presentation at our October meeting on the results of the Assessment of Catechesis of Religious Education. Joe mentioned that Prince of Peace School is hosting five foreign exchange students from Europe and Asia, with four of them not permanently placed. There is one female and three males in need of homes and they are all from Asia. They all have to be placed or return home.
COMMISSION REPORTS:
Parish
Life: No written report. Sister Mary Ann reported on the pictorial directory.
She said they would begin scheduling the date and times. There will be a spot
on the parish website for you to schedule an appointment. It was mentioned that
the Pork Dinner is on Sunday, September 25. All plans are on schedule with Bingo
added to the venue. There is also a Halloween party being planned. Jeff Schuetzle
said he would like to thank everyone for the wonderful job that was done at the
Block Party. It was a huge success. Dave Schnier asked when the assignments for
the new council members would be ready. All new council members will be put on
one of the five commissions.
Liturgical & Spiritual Life Commission:
A written report was submitted. Denise Laufenberg reported that Father Tony explained
the "Instruments of Peace" initiative. Registration for the Teen and
Children's choir will be Wednesday September 14th. The Adult choir will be singing
once a month. We have a need for adult choir members and cantors. Dress code was
again discussed. The dressing of the Altar will start again for Advent with a
few changes.
Social Action Commission: A written report was submitted
for the Charity Committee. Lenny Weih reported on the Social Action meeting of
August 24th stating that Mary Jo Lennon is the new chairperson. There was a presentation
of our parish's "Peru Pilgrims", which lasted longer than expected.
They have an ambitious agenda that will be presented at the next meeting on September
28th, 6:30 pm at the Canticle. Chuck Rutledge reported on the disbursement of
$3,500.00 from the pantry funds. Crisis Pregnancy Center banquet $1,500.00; Pantry
United $500.00; Information & Referral $1,250.00 and Deacon Art Donart's Thailand
project $250.00. We have $3,579.00 on hand for Peru and the disposition of this
will be forthcoming. Father Tony added that they have tentatively set up a gathering
on October 17th for the parish to view the presentation. This is in the planning
stages. Father reported that we raised $8,011.00 on last weekend's collection
for the Gulf Coast Katrina victims. Next meeting is November 16th at 3:00 pm.
Finance Commission: No report. Dave Schnier said the kickoff for the Diocesan
Appeal is next weekend, September 24th and 25th. The mailing will go out the first
of the week.
Faith Formation: A written report was submitted. Marlys
stated the first Life Night will be September 25th and that there would be NO
6:00 pm Mass or Life Night on October 2nd. Vacation Bible School was a success
and the members of the Generations of Faith are currently formulating plans for
an intergenerational celebration of Mary.
Father Thom led us in closing prayer.
NEXT MEETING Thursday, October 20, 2005, 7:00 P.M. at St. Boniface Hall.
Respectively submitted: Beverly Putman