Pastoral Council Minutes

 April 7, 2008

 Attending: Rose Braun, Fr. Mark Burger, Steve Gross, Tim Harmon, Jerry Koehne, Kevin Kohls, Brian Krause, Tom Kroger, Debbie Meinhardt, Claudia Miller, Jane Mueninghoff, Cindy Muron, Ann Perry, Ray Sousa, Barb Utrata.  Visitors: Kevin Denzler, Debbie Kreiner, Sandy Kelly (scribe)

Preliminaries: The Council Meeting opened with the Pastoral Council Prayer at 7:00 p.m. Steve Gross led the reflection.

Agenda Items:

1. Approval of minutes from March meeting – all.  The March minutes were approved as written.
   
   
2. Pastoral Associate – Debbie Kreiner
   1. Overview of Activities and Current Topics. Debbie discussed her three top goals including 1) to empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today, 2) to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community and 3) to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person. She also explained what the youth ministry should be.
      
      
   2. Issues/Needs/Challenges – Debbie spoke on all the challenges that face them in this very busy world. Among several of the challenges she discussed is the need for more adults to participate and chaperone. She also said technology and the Internet now present a new world and we have to keep pace with it. She suggested a possible meeting with parents to discuss technology and how it operates especially Facebook and the My Space websites.
      
      
   3. Feedback – Debbie was asked how the Council could provide her with help – including possibly volunteering at different activities.
      
      
3. Pastoral Ministry Presentation – Kevin Denzler
   1. Kevin led a discussion concerning a “Make Your Parish Young Adult-Friendly” project he is actively involved in. The project focuses on gathering insight and ideas to interest the group of young adults from age 18 through 35, a time when many young people drift away from the church. The concern is that many drift beginning in college and often do not return until they are young parents. Specifically, the project focuses on ways of drawing young adults back into the church. The project identifies the unique characteristics of this age group, identifying who they are, what they want, and what they need. We are challenged by this group in terms of keeping their interest renewed and we need to create ways to draw them back to the church and nurture their faith. Kevin has sent out a number of surveys and he was impressed by the enthusiasm of the people who returned the surveys. Thirty-five plus were returned. Suggestions were social outreach, retreats for young adults and a young parents support group. There are five stages including the proposal, pastoral plan, implementation, report and reflection, and discussion on importance of reaching out to young adults. There will be a presentation at St John’s Parish on June 11th at 7:00 PM. This will be an opportunity for our parish to hear from a panel of young adults about what works and why.

1. Faith Formation Brainstorming -- Rose suggested we have groups for people other than families. Cindy suggested Book Studies. Rose asked everyone to think about it and to let her know or send your suggestions directly to Jerry Barney.
   
   
2. 2008 PC Election Update – Cindy
   1. There are 34 Nominees. Six have agreed to participate and four are still thinking about it. She still needs to approach four other people who are leaving Council to see if they are interested in re-running. Saturday she will be meeting with those interested and she will need their biographies so they can be posted by April 5. The election will be held possibly the weekend after Mother’s Day.

1. Council Summer Event – All
   1. Rose Braun discussed the Council’s summer events. Rose asked the group if anyone would like to host the summer get-together. It would be a time to welcome new members into Pastoral Council. Rose offered if no one else was interested. This will replace a meeting. Staff will be invited. It will be the first Monday in June at 6:30 pm.
      
      
   2. Jerry Koehne discussed bread deliveries. He said it was a great experience and suggested others also do it. It’s a nice way to welcome new parishioners.
      
      
   3. Jane Muenninghoff asked about Time and Talent. Council offered to do data entry for the office. Time and Talent forms will be asking each parishioner to submit everything they are already involved in or new things they are interested in doing. This will create a greater need for data entry.

1.  
   1. St. Michaels will host a Parish Super Meeting on April 17 at 7 p.m. Each ministry is asked to send a representative.
      
      
2. Fr. Mark’s Comments
   1. Father Mark has been asked to assist other parishes with events such as confirmation   Pastors are challenged with increasing demands of their time. Father Mark distributed three articles concerning priest challenges including the priest shortage and the demands of priests who are leading mega parishes. Council was asked to review these articles prior to the May meeting. Churches are looking at the need for an administrative partner to assist pastors with their expanded workloads. This will be the focus at our next meeting. He reported several new pastors had been appointed in our Archdiocese. More announcements to come. Three new priests were ordained this year. There is no news on a new Bishop.
      
      

1. Adjournment and Closing Prayer of Thanksgiving – Barb Utrata

Next Meeting: Monday, May 5, 2008 at 7 p.m. in Undercroft D

-                      Reflection by Kevin Kohls

-                      Prayer of Thanksgiving by Brian Krause

-                      Pastoral Guests – Fr. Linh and Michael Dailey