Five Parish Catholic Community Combined Council Meeting

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 – 7:00 PM

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Opole

Agenda

Deb Rudolph asked for mass counts and noted that there will be a Five Parish Combined Council meeting May 1, 2008 at 7:30 PM.  A representative committee meeting of the Five Parish Catholic Community will be on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 to discuss mass schedules.  Two members (one trustee and one parish council member) from each parish council were chosen for this meeting.  Deb Rudolph handed out folders with forms enclosed for each church to facilitate maintenance and janitorial requests.

1. Opening Prayer – A Historical Letter: This was led by Father Mark along with reading Holy Scripture. Father Mark summarized the letter from Bishop Kinney.  He asked for shared feelings from the letter.

2. Shared Meditation – “Led By the Spirit” – Calling on the Holy Spirit: Music played – “Spirit of God”

3. Shared Reaction to the Bishop’s Letter:
   1. Council members shared feelings with 3-4 people
   2. Council members made notes about questions, or suggestions
   3. Council members named shared emotions – emotions were shared on a board up front.

4. Q&A – As We Are Able:

Questions were brought forward to the board up front. What is one corporation? Father Mark answered that a parish corporation consists of the bishop, a pastor and 2 trustees.  Holdingford is to begin working on becoming one corporation on July 1, 2008.  They don’t have to rush through it; they should take their time and move forward in small steps first.

Does Holdingford need to choose one church or only one mass each weekend?  Father Mark answered, “I am not sure both churches can be used temporarily, but only one mass will be held in Holdingford each weekend, Saturday or Sunday.  There will be one council, finance committee, etc. for Holdingford.

What about Father Greg? Father Mark answered that Father Gregory will only be doing one mass each weekend for the Five Parish Catholic Community. He has other commitments as a Parochial Vicar during the week.

What are the four weekend masses?  Father Mark said we have not decided yet, whether the masses will be on Saturdays or Sundays.  The Bishop suggested we should not have the same mass schedule as the cluster to the north of us.  We will have the representative committee collaborate on determining this mass schedule.

Do we have all the needed staff? Deb Rudolph answered that we already have most of the staffing. Some of the other six parishes need to fill these positions.

Should we be getting financially ready to build a new church, setting aside funds, etc.? Father Mark answered with a quote from Bishop Kinney; it takes a long time to build a church, ten years or more.  We will discuss more at a later time. 

Is there a Diocesan building committee? Father Mark answered any construction plans need to be placed before the dioceses before construction can begin.

The question was asked, can the other two options that were given by the planning committee to the Bishop be shared.  Father Mark responded that he was instructed that it would not be proper to share them.

We need to do what we can to keep our priests healthy.

We need to start planning for the future of our Church, to plan for our children like our parents planned for us.  We need to be positively looking forward.

5. What do the Parishes Need From Council Members? Council members shared thoughts and were recorded on a board in front of the room. We need a strong leader to guide us. We need to be united as a parish and relay information correctly to parishioners. We need to be positive when we discuss things; it rubs off on parishioners. We need to talk with parishioners and ask their opinions so they feel they are represented and listened to. We also need to educate the parishioners; church needs to become a higher priority. How do we be positive even if we aren’t totally positive? We need to be prayerful and ask for wisdom and courage to say and do things that need to be done. When people complain, ask them how they feel the problem should be addressed. We need to be more involved with the youth activities. We need to stop talking about my church, but rather our church. We need to feel welcome in all parishes and activities, etc.

6. Staff Restructuring & Other Plans for 2008-2009:  by Deb Rudolph

a.     Father Jerry’s Retirement: We will celebrate his retirement on June 25, 2008 at the Pelican Lake Ballroom from 5:30 to 9:00 PM.  We are asking each parish to present for about 15 minutes to offer gratitude.

b.     Director of Faith Formation Position Cut

                                                    i.     Budget Needs - over emphasis in Faith Formation: We are going to make changes for next year due to budget considerations.  Sister Jean’s position has been cut.

                                                  ii.     FF Programs will be covered by Senior Coordinators and Confirmation Coordinator

                                                 iii.     Laity will continued to be called forth to work with Why Catholic?, Prayer Groups, RCIA, Baptism Classes, etc.

c.      Change in Fr. Gregory’s Presence: He is assigned as a parochial vicar for Father Dale Ettle and his cluster of four parishes. His home will be in Bowlus.  He will also help in our Five Parish Catholic Faith Community and be paid accordingly.  Until July 1, he is a visiting priest with no assignments.

7. Budget Considerations: by Deb Rudolph

a.     Five Parish Finance Meeting Thursday, April 17, 2008 at OLMC

b.     Reduced Masses/Need to Reduce Budget

c.      More to be reported at next gathering

8. Choosing of Parish Representatives to Assist in Mass Schedule:  by Deb Rudolph.  It is suggested that one trustee and one parish council member from each parish be chosen to assist in this task.

             Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Deb Determan and Jean Zwilling

             St. Columbkille: John Meagher and Jake Biniek

             St. Mary’s: Donny Breth and Kathy Ebnet

             St. Hedwig’s: JoAnn Christenson and Dick Struzyk

             Immaculate Conception: Rick Pogotschnik and Shirley Winkles

9. Next Five Parish Combined Council Meeting:

Thursday, May 1, 2008 at St. Mary’s Church Basement, 7:30.  The proposed mass schedule will be presented by the parish representatives.

10. Future Agenda Items:

a.     Budgets – Report on Five Parish Finance Work

b.     Mass Schedule

c.      Parish Council Meetings for 2008-2009

                                                    i.     Set Dates

d.     EMS – Excellence in Ministry Services

                                                    i.     Hospitality Ministers – Ushers, Greeters

                                                  ii.     Marriage Mentors & Wedding Coordinators

                                                 iii.     Lector’s Eucharistic Ministers

                                                 iv.     RCIA Sponsors, Men’s and Women’s Groups

The conclusion was led by Father Mark, Holy Scripture, and prayer.  Council members shared future dreams and hopes.

Heart felt comments were shared by almost the entire Five Parish Catholic Community Parish Councils.  Expressions of unity, optimism, gratefulness, a faith filled community, and concern for every stage of life of the people in our community were shared.

Thanks for coming and sharing your feelings!

Respectfully submitted by Samantha Bialka