The Pastoral Council is the primary advisory body of our parish. The council is comprised of eight elected members and the members of the Pastoral Staff. These join with the pastor to identify the pastoral needs of the parish, develop priorities, and plan for the services or programs needed to serve the needs of the parish. The council also establishes commissions, committees or task forces as needed to assist in the fulfillment of particular plans or ongoing services needed by the parish.
The elected members of the council are chosen by general ballot and serve for a term of two years. The council meets generally on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM. All parishioners are welcome to attend all meetings.
Pastoral Council Update: The two-week cycle of voting has produced the following results: newly elected members Cynthia Miller and Rose Wolf will join the Council along with current members Jude Nicoletti and Michael Raab who were re-elected. John Aarth, Bill Dietzler, James S. Harrison and Yomaira Lampi are continuing members and round out the 8-member Council. The Council thanks outgoing members Harry Treinen and Ann Griffin for their years of service to the Parish. We look forward to a new year of working with Parish groups and individual parishioners as we plan with Father Charlie to promote the Good News of our savior through the evangelizing educational mission of the church. We value your input and comments so please speak with us—one or more Pastoral Council members attends each of the weekend masses so look for us, we all wear badges.
St Philip Neri Pastoral Council A Summary Report of the June 2010
Meeting Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Present: Fr. Charles Brunick, John Arth, Bill Dietzler, Ann Griffin, James S. Harrison, Jude Nicoletti, Michael Raab, Harold Treinen. Absent: Yomaira Lampi The meeting began at 7:05 pm.
1. Opening Prayer: Mike Raab delivered the opening prayer.
2. Council Chair Remarks A large number of parishioners and visitors were enthusiastic about the Holy Spirit Sister’s Mass in which they sang in Swahili and arranged for a look at Catholicism from an East African perspective. The Parish web site needs to include a segment for the Pastoral Council where we can post Meeting Notes as well as receive email feedback from parishioners. Father Charlie noted that Father Michael needs to be contacted. In terms of diversifying the Masses, Barbara M. Harrison of the Liturgy Committee is going to arrange a “family” oriented Mass at the 10:30 service once a month. In addition, the Holy Spirit Sisters have agreed to help plan and participate in the Assumption Mass on Sunday, August 15th which is their profession day and honors the fact that each one has “Mary” as part of their names.
3. Announcements Father Charlie announced that James R. McCauley has been appointed the new Associate Pastor. Father Jim has been involved in campus ministry, served as novice master and has been involved in parish work for five years. In regards to the Holy Spirit sisters leaving from the parish, Father stated that they can take furniture and other items that they have used over the years. Father also suggested that the sisters may a list of “homecoming” gifts that perhaps individual parishioners could fulfill. The Council agreed that the parish bulletin needs to prioritize parish events, then vicariate events and that it is an essential part of our evangelizing mission. When handed to newcomers it needs to reflect what is going on in the parish. It was also discussed that the bulletin format may change for the coming year.
4. Council Elections The terms of four Council members end this July: Ann Griffin and Harold Treinen are rotating off after two terms; Jude Nicoletti and Mike Raab are standing for re-election for a second term. The four slots will be filled in two weeks of elections during the weekends of June 19th and 20th and June 26th and 27th. Council members will monitor the election by checking off those who have voted from the parish list. Each parishioner may submit one ballot. Those who are not currently registered may fill out a registration card and then they can vote immediately. James will check with Mercy for election forms from last year and along with Ann will contact the candidates and coordinate the candidate statements and ballots.
5. Parish Picnic Mike and Father had earlier discussed a joint Parish Appreciation Picnic to which the St. Philip Neri School alumni would be invited to participate. The picnic will be free to all parishioners and the alumni, who would like to keep links to the parish would pay a nominal fee. This is to be a community building event and will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2010. A planning meeting will be held in Carvlin Hall after the 10:30am mass on Sunday, June 13, 2010; James will chair and Mike will provide details of the picnic. There will be umbrellas outside, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, a hot plate- beans and desert; there will be a play structure for children—of all ages. This event also serves as a reminder of the new Endowment Fund as well as a kick off for the Centennial Celebration of the parish, which was founded in 1913.
6. Pastoral Council Constitution Bill presented the re-ordered Constitution for discussion. James suggested dividing it into two sections: brief Constitutional statements and then a more detailed “Operating Procedures,” which could be updated by the Council in a single vote if necessary. After some discussion the document was generally accepted. Bill will make suggested changes and then send it out for a “first vote.” The second (confirming) vote will be taken at a short meeting in July prior to the joint meeting/social with the new Council members.
7. Pastor’s Remarks Stewardship letters have been sent to parishioners. It is important for parishioners to know our financial status. We are in the process of conducting research into the true numbers of parishioners so that we have an accurate census. Annual pledges have been sent and a follow-up postcard will be sent to registered parishioners with phone call checks as well.
8. Closing Prayer and Benediction: Mike delivered the closing prayer and Fr. Charlie said a benediction. The meeting adjourned at 8:55pm
Final meeting: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 from 7-8:30 pm in St. John’s Room at the Paulist Center. Respectfully submitted, James S. Harrison