Comments Regarding Bishop Kinner’s Letter About Our Future
The letter was received from Bishop Kinney by Father Mark Stang and Father Jerry Mishchke on Tuesday April 8, 2008. It was brought directly back to the Central Office where people from the Visioning and Stewardship Committee were waiting to prepare it for mailing. Letters to every member of our five parishes left the Central Office at 3:00 PM to be mailed.
All council members present were asked to take 10 minutes to share with one another what emotions they experienced on reading the letter from the Bishop.
Responses:
Stressed/now relieved Sadness for Holdingford parishes
Glad that our cluster is staying together Grateful
Surprised it was not more Disappointed that the letter didn’t go further
Some unanswered questions This is like business vs. church
Scared for our younger generations Much concern for the youth of our parishes
People continued adding thoughts and asking questions:
We need to change in small bites
Why not one corporation for all instead of just SM & SH?
We have had time to change over 12 years 0- the other sic parishes in the 11 parish area haven’t had that time yet
We need to clarify “one site” in Holdingford.
Please clarify Fr. Greg’s plan/duties
What will the Mass schedule be?
We need to be looking at more option – we need to be broad-minded
Where will the money come from to continue to maintain all buildings and heat them?
We owe it to our churches to maintain them
If we build a new church for all five parishes we could be talking about 20 million dollars – where is that going to come from?
Is it true that the St. Cloud Diocese is moving to building all new churches? (answer was no) Then why does the diocese have a building committee? (they always have had one)
There is a shortage of priests, we need to look at the BIG picture
How long do we “up-keep” our churches? Where do we stop?
The most feasible may be a new church
History – people built these churches by working together
Religion was number one in their lives – that is no longer the case
We need to look positively at the future
Maybe we should add on to one or two of our churches
We need to look at all the options
If we make some churches chapels, how will we pay for the increasing cost of heating?
What were the other options given to the Bishop by the planning committee?
We need to move forward
Where are we going?
We need to care for young members not only the older members
Does anyone believe that we will get through this?
This has to work for everyone
We need to ask ourselves “What can I do to make this happen?”
Once we know what we are going to do – we need to believe it can happen
Everyone needs to give a little
There is more to church than 45minutes to an hour per week
God will see us through the storm
Could faith formation classes all meet together – maybe there would be larger classes
Maybe the classes could be smaller if we combine our teachers
What do councils need? What do the people need?
Strong leadership – state the needs
To be united as five in our work
Relate all information that is known – share what we know
Always share with parishioners
Be positive – people can sense what we’re feeling
Be pro-active – hopeful – sincere
Share the spirit of God present
We need to educate all members that Church needs to be a high priority – more than one time a week
We need to become prayerful – pray for wisdom and courage
Ask people to speak their ideas and thoughts
When people feel positive they will all come together
Get the older generation involved in the process and change
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Five Parish Catholic Community Combined Council MeetingTuesday, April 15, 2008 – 7:00 PMOur Lady of Mount Carmel, Opole AgendaDeb 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.
- 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.
- Shared Meditation – “Led By the Spirit” – Calling on the Holy Spirit: Music played – “Spirit of God”
- Shared Reaction to the Bishop’s Letter:
- Council members shared feelings with 3-4 people
- Council members made notes about questions, or suggestions
- Council members named shared emotions – emotions were shared on a board up front.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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 Return
