January 2007
Tue, 2007-01-02 16:13 — dan
Pastoral Council Minutes
January 2, 2007
Attending:
Rose Braun, Fr. Mark Burger, Connie Girard, Steve Gross, Tim Harmon, Denise Kick, Jerry Koehne, Tom Kroger, Steve Meinhardt, Claudia Miller, Louise Moyer, Jane Mueninghoff, Ann Perry, Tim Reed, Bruce Simeone, Barb Utrata; Fr. Linh, Jerry Barney, Jerry DiCristoforo (Pastoral Associate for Good Shepherd Parish), Kathy Mack, Finance Committee Guests - Todd Holt, Dick Shoemaker, Dan Brankamp; Mary Ann Lampe (scribe).
Preliminaries: The Council meeting opened with the Pastoral Council prayer at 7:00 pm. The reflection was led by Barb Utrata. Bruce Simeone will lead the reflection next month.
Agenda Items:
1) Approval of minutes from December 4th meeting – all.
Minutes were approved as written.
2) United Nations’ Millennium Villages Project – Jerry Barney [Justice & Peace Comm.]
a) Guest Speaker – Jerry DiCristoforo, Pastoral Associate for Good Shepherd Parish
Good Shepherd Parish has committed to raising a whole village in Africa out of poverty through the Millennium Village Project, contingent upon getting other partners. Good Shepherd has pledged $100,000 per year for five years, towards the total required annual investment of $300,000. The Millennium Project is holistic. It works on the whole village long-term with water, education, environment, health, infrastructure, etc. Catholic Relief will work on an individual project, such as water; and International aid is year to year. The U.N. Millennium Villages Project (non-profit) in New York holds its own fund raisers for its expenses. Not a dime of donated monies goes to N.Y., all donations go to the villages and are in kind; e.g. technology, crop seeds, training. The villages must buy into the project. They must have a leadership committee, must contribute monetarily and have the cooperation and support of the local and national governments.
Good Shepherd Parish can raise $100,000 annually if just 250 members gave $8.75/month, plus 75 giving $16.00/month and 120 give $42/month. This kind of project gets people’s attention. It appeals to people who have never stepped up before. Good Shepherd has not yet asked for money, but has made a few announcements and already has received a couple of large donations. GS is in the process of getting other partners. Jerry Barney and Fr. Mark are also seeking partners. The plan is to get partners, get commitment, then go to Millennium Promise Scientific Council, who will then assign a village.
Kathy Mack asked if the diocese Mission Office is aware of this. Jerry DiCristoforo – spoke with the Director, Mike Gable, who said they are starting to focus on Africa. This is clearly a development – not a mission. Kathy – do we have references? Jerry D. – we have researched and feel very comfortable with the project.
Council and Finance expressed concerns; for example, the legitimacy of the program, the sustainability of raising $50,000 (St. John’s) annually, and the effect on our other finances. We will not go to parish operating expenses for funding. Must maintain current level of support for existing community projects. Fr. Mark – if we ask the right people in the right way, they will respond. People want to give (corporal works of mercy), but don’t know who to trust. Bruce – if we can assure people that we have our own finances handled, we can move forward.
Jerry Barney will try to set up a teleconference with someone that has been involved in this project for a couple of years for next month’s Council Meeting. Jerry Barney will be staff liaison.
Fr. Mark asked “Will we commit if we get more partners and more info on accountability?” The vote was unanimous in favor of commitment contingent upon these two requirements. A conditional mandate. Fr. Mark – “Thank you all.”
3) Pastoral Associate: Ministry Update – Deacon Jerry Barney
a) Overview of Activities and Current Topics
Jerry passed out handouts to explain many of his activities (Dianconal Ministry, Campton, ESOL, RCIA, Married Sponsor Couples, Fish Fry, Justice & Peace, Baptism Prep, Project Restore, Adult Faith Formation, Bible Study, Annulments, Small Faith Com, Counseling and Adult Confirmation) with a short commentary on each.
b) Issues/Needs/Challenges
Biggest challenge is not getting discouraged with low attendance at some events. Asked by Bishop to advocate Catholic Social teaching.
c) Feedback
How can we help? Talk up the Millennium Villages Project program whenever you can.
All – Thank you Jerry.
4) Pastoral Council Retreat (January 13th) Reminder – all
The retreat will start at 8:30 am ending at 3:00 pm with Mass. Louise will e-mail directions to her house with copies in church office.
5) Fr. Mark’s Comments
a) Archbishop’s “Grateful Believers” Initiative
The Archbishop will retire soon and wanted to write a letter that summed up his ministry. He wants to establish a stewardship before he leaves. He does not want to hand over a financial crisis. Kathy called and said we would like to be part of the pilot program for stewardship, but has not heard back. Our stewardship process needs a shot in the arm and it would be good for us to be part of the pilot program.
6) Adjournment and Closing Prayer
Thank you Finance for attending. We adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Next Meeting: Monday, February 5, 2007 at 7:00 pm. in Undercroft D
January 2, 2007
Attending:
Rose Braun, Fr. Mark Burger, Connie Girard, Steve Gross, Tim Harmon, Denise Kick, Jerry Koehne, Tom Kroger, Steve Meinhardt, Claudia Miller, Louise Moyer, Jane Mueninghoff, Ann Perry, Tim Reed, Bruce Simeone, Barb Utrata; Fr. Linh, Jerry Barney, Jerry DiCristoforo (Pastoral Associate for Good Shepherd Parish), Kathy Mack, Finance Committee Guests - Todd Holt, Dick Shoemaker, Dan Brankamp; Mary Ann Lampe (scribe).
Preliminaries: The Council meeting opened with the Pastoral Council prayer at 7:00 pm. The reflection was led by Barb Utrata. Bruce Simeone will lead the reflection next month.
Agenda Items:
1) Approval of minutes from December 4th meeting – all.
Minutes were approved as written.
2) United Nations’ Millennium Villages Project – Jerry Barney [Justice & Peace Comm.]
a) Guest Speaker – Jerry DiCristoforo, Pastoral Associate for Good Shepherd Parish
Good Shepherd Parish has committed to raising a whole village in Africa out of poverty through the Millennium Village Project, contingent upon getting other partners. Good Shepherd has pledged $100,000 per year for five years, towards the total required annual investment of $300,000. The Millennium Project is holistic. It works on the whole village long-term with water, education, environment, health, infrastructure, etc. Catholic Relief will work on an individual project, such as water; and International aid is year to year. The U.N. Millennium Villages Project (non-profit) in New York holds its own fund raisers for its expenses. Not a dime of donated monies goes to N.Y., all donations go to the villages and are in kind; e.g. technology, crop seeds, training. The villages must buy into the project. They must have a leadership committee, must contribute monetarily and have the cooperation and support of the local and national governments.
Good Shepherd Parish can raise $100,000 annually if just 250 members gave $8.75/month, plus 75 giving $16.00/month and 120 give $42/month. This kind of project gets people’s attention. It appeals to people who have never stepped up before. Good Shepherd has not yet asked for money, but has made a few announcements and already has received a couple of large donations. GS is in the process of getting other partners. Jerry Barney and Fr. Mark are also seeking partners. The plan is to get partners, get commitment, then go to Millennium Promise Scientific Council, who will then assign a village.
Kathy Mack asked if the diocese Mission Office is aware of this. Jerry DiCristoforo – spoke with the Director, Mike Gable, who said they are starting to focus on Africa. This is clearly a development – not a mission. Kathy – do we have references? Jerry D. – we have researched and feel very comfortable with the project.
Council and Finance expressed concerns; for example, the legitimacy of the program, the sustainability of raising $50,000 (St. John’s) annually, and the effect on our other finances. We will not go to parish operating expenses for funding. Must maintain current level of support for existing community projects. Fr. Mark – if we ask the right people in the right way, they will respond. People want to give (corporal works of mercy), but don’t know who to trust. Bruce – if we can assure people that we have our own finances handled, we can move forward.
Jerry Barney will try to set up a teleconference with someone that has been involved in this project for a couple of years for next month’s Council Meeting. Jerry Barney will be staff liaison.
Fr. Mark asked “Will we commit if we get more partners and more info on accountability?” The vote was unanimous in favor of commitment contingent upon these two requirements. A conditional mandate. Fr. Mark – “Thank you all.”
3) Pastoral Associate: Ministry Update – Deacon Jerry Barney
a) Overview of Activities and Current Topics
Jerry passed out handouts to explain many of his activities (Dianconal Ministry, Campton, ESOL, RCIA, Married Sponsor Couples, Fish Fry, Justice & Peace, Baptism Prep, Project Restore, Adult Faith Formation, Bible Study, Annulments, Small Faith Com, Counseling and Adult Confirmation) with a short commentary on each.
b) Issues/Needs/Challenges
Biggest challenge is not getting discouraged with low attendance at some events. Asked by Bishop to advocate Catholic Social teaching.
c) Feedback
How can we help? Talk up the Millennium Villages Project program whenever you can.
All – Thank you Jerry.
4) Pastoral Council Retreat (January 13th) Reminder – all
The retreat will start at 8:30 am ending at 3:00 pm with Mass. Louise will e-mail directions to her house with copies in church office.
5) Fr. Mark’s Comments
a) Archbishop’s “Grateful Believers” Initiative
The Archbishop will retire soon and wanted to write a letter that summed up his ministry. He wants to establish a stewardship before he leaves. He does not want to hand over a financial crisis. Kathy called and said we would like to be part of the pilot program for stewardship, but has not heard back. Our stewardship process needs a shot in the arm and it would be good for us to be part of the pilot program.
6) Adjournment and Closing Prayer
Thank you Finance for attending. We adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Next Meeting: Monday, February 5, 2007 at 7:00 pm. in Undercroft D