ST. MICHAEL PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

Minutes of the Regular Meeting

September 23, 2008

In attendance:  Deacon Merle Runck, Sharon Bernard, Joe Carpine, Gary Gunther, Mike Gunkel, Ralph Herrman, Mary Jager, Richard Marks, Mary Manchester. 

Absent:  Father Jim King, Len Grantner

The meeting opened at 6:05 p.m. with a prayer.

Minutes of the August 26, 2008 meeting were reviewed, approved and submitted to the St. Michael’s website. 

OLD BUSINESS

-Other than running out of food, the parish picnic was a success due to great weather, lots of youth involvement, face painting by the clown and advance publicity.  Based on the numbers last year, food was ordered for 300.  There were 440 people in attendance this year. The council will revisit this when planning for next year’s picnic.    

-The Culture of Life prayer to the Blessed Mother, read at the last meeting, has been printed on cards and placed in the books in church.  During October, Respect Life Month, the rosary will be recited by the Knights of Columbus thirty minutes prior to every weekend Mass.  The Culture of Life prayer will be said at the end of the rosary.  

PASTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS

Committee liaisons are reminded to keep their reports brief, with the exception of the Administration Committee report.  The Council members do not have the opportunity to read those minutes before the Council meeting.

Parish Life – Committee met on September 10th.  ▪The June Parish Life breakfast was well attended.  ▪The committee assisted with a luncheon for youth on September 7th.  ▪Parish Life will prepare lunch as well as morning and afternoon snacks for the Diocesan Youth Ministry Training the Trainers seminar to be held at St. Michael on October 18th. ▪Committee will also prepare coffee and punch and serve cake at the November 3rd annual Remembrance Mass. ▪ The Sewing and Craft Ladies Bazaar is scheduled for October 10 and 11. 

Evangelization – Committee met on September 16th.  The bus trip to San Luis was a success.  21 people made the trip and the weather was great.  ▪The committee continued discussion on the Disciples in Mission Lenten Project; however no decision has been made. This was again tabled until next meeting.  ▪There were no Baptisms or Marriages.  ▪The minutes reflect two new parish members registered in August and four in September. 

Addendum: Sharon said that she learned recently that there have been eleven new registered parish members during the months of August and September.

Christian Formation – Committee met on September 10th.  ▪A total of 75 students have registered in Pre-K to grade 5.   ▪On Sunday September 21st there were several special activities: ▪Father Jim spoke to the parents of elementary students to impress upon them how important they are to their children’s religious formation.  Following his talk, there was a Children’s Pray Service in St. Anthony’s Chapel. ▪The blessing and commissioning of all catechists was held at all weekend Masses.  The Youth/Children’s Mass was held at 10:00 a.m.  ▪On October 18th there will be Training the Trainers (of youth) which is being presented by Center of Ministry Development and is free for residents of the Pueblo Diocese.  ▪There are four men and two women in the RCIA class. ▪ROCK will be held after 10:00 a.m. Mass on Sundays.

Administration – Committee met on September 22nd.  ▪The Maintenance Committee continues to work on a variety of issues.  ▪Written requests for two projects, each costing in excess of $10,000, are being sent to the Bishop for approval.  Project #1 is for replacement of 4 bays of windows on the South side of the school building. It is anticipated that this will result in better insulation and reduced utility costs.  Project #2 is for a bronze Resurrection figure to be placed in the Prayer Garden on the South side of the Church in memory of Mary Gindro.  Huberto Maestas, the artist who created the Stations of the Cross at San Luis, is being commissioned to create the memorial.  ▪As of August 31st, the Special Improvements Fund has $58,679. ▪It was reported by the Budget Committee that the Offertory income for August is approximately $3000 under that of August 2007.  ▪Father Jim continues to work with the Power Company in an attempt to eliminate surges in the cost of electricity due to the heating and cooling of the new church.  ▪A list of CDs owned by the Parish was included in the Monthly Financial Report for August that was reviewed by members. ▪Father Jim has adjusted CD amounts so that none is over the $100,000 insured amount. 

Addendum: Mike Gunkel added that he has been in contact with the FDIC and learned that, as long as each $100,000 CD by a nonprofit is individually titled (i.e. St. Michael Parish, Window Fund, Chapel Fund, etc.) the full amount of the CDs will be insured.

Worship – Committee met on September 4th.   ▪Father noted that an additional bread minister may be needed for the 7:20 a.m. Mass.  ▪As of this time, no one has volunteered to act as Usher Coordinator. ▪A newcomer’s potluck is being planned by the Parish Life Committee.  ▪The annual clergy retreat is scheduled for September 22 – 25.  The Deanery Meeting will be held October 8th.

Knights of Columbus – ▪There were insufficient numbers for a quorum so no formal meeting was held during September.  ▪The annual K of C Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, September 27th with proceeds going to the Scholarship Fund.  ▪Knights will be leading the rosary at every weekend Mass throughout the month of October. 

Youth – Sharon delighted in working with two young people when preparing them as lectors for last week’s Youth Mass.  She is going to speak with Warren Babilot about continuing the mentoring program in that area.

NEW BUSINESS

-The Parish Pastoral Council Workshop directed by Sister Laetitia Slusser, S.C. was held on September 13th.   A good portion of the workshop dealt with mission and vision statements and goal setting.  A copy of Sister’s Power Point presentation was made for each council member, and will be used as a guideline in the council’s development of long range and short range goal planning.  Father Jim will be asked if the current parish mission statement should be used, or if the council needs to develop its own mission statement.  

The Parish Council Christmas Dinner is tentatively scheduled for Friday, December 5th. 

The meeting was closed at 8:05 p.m. with a prayer.  Next meeting is scheduled for October 28th.  Meetings that normally occur during the last week of the month, namely Administration and Parish Council, will be held one week earlier in November due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Ralph Herrman will provide prayers and refreshments.

Respectfully submitted by Mary Manchester