Parish Council Meeting Minutes (05SEP17) Attendees: Father Mark, Betsy Adams, John Kohlhaas, Sue Loeffler, Riyan Mendonsa, Lynn Norby, Jan Parsons, Bob Schlitz, Tim Springer
Absent: John Bielinski
Opening prayer
Stewardship seminar Father Mark recently attended; Sheryl has in past years
Time/talent/treasure on its way out; too closely connotes money to many people
Prayer/participate/generosity under consideration
New words give new meaning to things; as a Parish Council we need to think about how we “know so much” but others may not (example: VEAP); be careful of the nomenclature we often use; helpful for us to educate the parish
The sooner you can engage a person to become an “official” parishioner, the faster they become active, contributing member; goal to move them from visitors to parishioners
Exercise: Ask the staff, “What kind of parish are you?” “How does your parish look to visitors?” “What does the parish do to engage visitors?”
Stewardship as a way of life; parish leadership needs demonstrate how it impacts every day decisions, truly making it a way of life; if we as a parish don’t waste money on things (small choices), we are being good stewards
Stressed the importance of having a plan; having the entire community engaged in the plan, ensures momentum
Include positives whenever delivering financial updates; don’t just dwell on shortfalls; provide bullets that will serve as “good PR”; people talk about what they know and want to discuss
Bulletin deadline: COB on Monday for content; proofing done throughout Tuesday; final sent to printer mid-day Wednesday
Capital campaign update See handout for Capital Improvements Completed; Capital Improvement Projects Scheduled for Calendar 2017; Capital Improvement Projects Scheduled for Calendar 2018-2019
Total pledged = $1,212,632
Total received = $800,405
Building our Future; Sharing Our Gifts
Money you “save” often doesn’t save you money; do it right, even with setbacks (example: Social Hall renovation/asbestos issue; ongoing meetings; new pricing quote in process)
New Members Introductions/member since/groups/involvement
Father Mark (2013) involved in everything; Bob (2013) Parish Council, Facilities Commission; Tim (2002) Facilities Commission, Capital Campaign Steering Committee, Lend-a-Hand Group (Tom Flood’s group); John (2011) Choir, Parish Council; Betsy (long time visitor; parishioner since ?) Meals-on-Wheels, Loaves and Fishes, EM; Jan (1965) Parish Council, Cultural Dinners, Lector, EM; Lynn (1987) previous Faith Formation activities/youth group, Cultural Dinners, EM; Sue (2004) former Blessed Trinity parents, Parish Council; Riyan (2010) Faith Formation and related activities, Lector
Parish Council roster distributed to all; correction to Lynn’s phone; any other needed corrections should be sent to Father Mark; Council Dates 2017/2018 included (2017: 06SEP; 17OCT; 21NOV; 19DEC; 2018: 16JAN; 20FEB; 20MAR; 17APR; 15MAY; 19JUN); Parish Council photos updated on website
Finance U Program being offered through parish; John and Sue Bielinski are leading as it “changed their lives”; facilitator engaged; updates in bulletin; Sue also sent email blast; will present at Mass this upcoming weekend
New Member Breakfast New member breakfast Sunday 10SEP17; Parish Council invited to attend; email Father Mark to confirm participation; would like to station one “non-new” member at each table
Last year, 29 turned out, many Spanish-only speaking
Previously, new members were assigned a host family for a year; may have been tied to school initiatives; to consider adopting/adapting for the future
Parish Directory Parish directory committee doesn’t want to do it anymore; too labor intensive; need to find another group to take it on (Parish Resource Committee)
Fine line in determining printed copies vs online version (or both)
Suggestion for photo gallery by group (Coffee Shop, etc)
Remember importance of photo package; families like convenience and ease of distributing to other relatives
Suggested announcement to parish calling for names/committee to head up
Father Mark to investigate whether other parishes publish one and, if so, how/when/etc during meeting on 07SEP17
Hybrid: formal process with LifeTouch sessions scheduled plus set up station in the Narthex for less formal photos; may not be acceptable practice in LifeTouch’s eyes
Aim twofold: one, to have a name to associate with a face; two, to create a sense of community
Recap/miscellaneous Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (15AUG) Rosary prayer/Indian potluck; only two non-Indians attended; Riyan to check if photos were taken