January
2012
PARISH LEADERSHIP FORUM REPORT
Council Approves Funding For Two Priorities: Staff Salary Adjustments and Gathering Space Upgrades
Representatives of the Administration Commission presented requests to fund the top two priorities identified during meeting the past two months by the Commission.
Staff hours had been reduced to balance the current budget, but experience shows that staff continues to work the hours needed to get work accomplished. Council approved a salary adjustment to reflect actual hours worked. Adjustments will be reflected in the next fiscal year’s budget.
Funding was also approved for additions to the Gathering Space, the Commission’s second priority. The upgrade includes a portable coffee bar for
serving coffee and donuts after Sunday morning Mass. Tables and chairs are also part of the request. Council approved a budget not to exceed $12,000 for the coffee bar kiosk and furnishings. Money already raised for this project should reduce the overall cost approved by Council.
Knights of Columbus presented a request to construct a permanent display in the Gathering Space for nameplates of parish veterans. The request was sent back to the Knights for more information and to consider putting the display in the parish hall when completed to avoid setting precedence for displays in the Gathering Space.
Additions to the events calendar were also approved.
Commissions and Committees Urged to Carefully Plan Budget Requests for Next Fiscal Year
Prior to breaking into commission meetings, Fr. Kevin encouraged all Leadership Forum members to carefully plan budget requests for the next fiscal year. The budget process begins in March and committees should discuss budget needs at their next meetings.
Administration Commission
For a second month, the Administration Commission devoted its time to discussing and finalizing a list of the Long Range Planning Committee’s priorities. The top three priorities are: 1. Staff salary adjustments, 2. Adding a coffee bar kiosk and furnishings to the Gathering Space, and 3. Completion of the interior of St. Anthony Chapel.
Mike Smith and Bob Groves from the Community Life Commission presented a proposal for the coffee bar kiosk and furnishings to the Gathering Space.
Fr. Kevin presented a proposal for staff salary adjustments to better reflect compensation for time spent on the job.
The Commission agreed with the proposals and sent them to the Parish Council for final approval.
Completion of St. Anthony Chapel will be brought to the Budget Committee at an appropriate time in the near future.
Outreach Commission
St. Michael BeFriender Ministry: meets the 2nd Saturday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the St. Thomas More Hospital Community Room. Contact: Gary Everhart (275-9066). In lieu of a regular Ministry Reflections in January, members will attend a special session facilitated by Linda Smith. The topic will be “Aging as a Contemplative Journey,” by Katherine Fischer, PhD, on Saturday, January 14, 8:30 – 11:30 in the parish meeting room.
Although we have trained ministers, we are very low on referrals and would appreciate parishioners keeping in mind that in finding someone to listen to us, we often find our own answers. Confidentiality is important and we hope to be a respectful, non-judgmental, Catholic presence in “caring, not curing.”
St. Michael Loss and Remembrance Ministry: meets the 4th Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. (except November due to Remembrance Mass) Contact: Jacque Everhart (276-9066. Members will attend the January 14 session on “Aging as a Contemplative Journey.” Next meeting will be January 26 at 1:00 pm in the education building. Topics will include long and short-range goals and budget considerations.
St. Michael Homebound Ministry: meets quarterly. Contact: Linda Smith (275-2825) & Edith Masar (269-1344). The next meeting will be Saturday, January 14, 2012, from 8:30-11:30 (see topic above).
St. Michael Peace and Justice Ministry: meets the last Sunday of each month after the 9:00 am Mass in the cry room. Contact: Mary Derbort, 942-5083 (out of town until April) or Patricia Reilley, 285-8946. Ministry is in the formation stage. The Backpack project is underway and donations can be placed in the basket/boxes located adjacent to the Outreach Board in the Gathering Space.
Worship Commission
A second carpenter’s bid for the Cantor stand/ambo was significantly lower than the first. After the addition of a railing, the final bid and design will be forthcoming for Fr. Kevin’s approval. Some movement of the piano and organ will be necessary to accommodate the stand/ambo and has consensus approval by the Commission.
Music Ministry: Approximately 45 male and female members of the Chamber from St. John’s University/St. Benedict College, Collegeville, MN will visit our parish on March 6th. Parishioners may recall their fine concert here two years ago. Music ministry will be asking parishioners to volunteer to take one or more of the choir members into their homes for their one night stay in Canon City. The evening will consist of a potluck meal followed by the concert. Sponsors will take their singer(s) home and return them to the parish campus after breakfast the next morning. More info. to come.
Environment Committee: under the direction of the Worship Commission and working closely with the Liturgy Planning Committee, plans and decorates for liturgies throughout the church year. We are looking for ways to encourage people to join this important ministry.
Extraordinary Ministers (EMs) of Holy Communion:
Refresher training for all EMs, which is held quarterly, is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21st at 6:30 pm. This is especially significant training for anyone interested in joining this ministry.
Community Life Commission
The Commission continued its discussion of the design, price and potential vendors for a coffee cart and tables to be placed in the Gathering Space. The cart and tables would facilitate serving donuts and coffee after Sunday Mass. The proposal was presented to the Administration Commission and the Parish Council for approval. Several discussion points were noted and assignments were made for further investigation and action. Discussion will continue at the Community Life Commission’s February meeting
Knights of Columbus: On behalf of the Loaves and Fishes Ministry, the Knights want to thank all of St. Michael parishioners who purchased gifts for the Angel Tree. Over 200 children received gifts and clothes through the Loaves and Fishes distribution just from the offerings at St. Michael Parish. It was the largest donation received from any church or community organization this year.
Fourth Degree members of local Knights of Columbus
Lodges are asking our parish for approval to place a plaque in the Gathering Space that would honor local veterans. The group is proposing similar plaques for St. Benedict in Florence and at Our Lady of the Assumption in Westcliffe. If approved, veterans or their families could purchase brass plates with the veteran’s name, dates of service and military branch. The wooden plaques would be designed to display 100-200 plates.
Christian Formation Commission
Youth would like to have an annual spaghetti dinner to begin fund raising for attendance at the National Catholic Youth Conference, possibly in 2013. This annual dinner will help avoid weekly fundraisers as the event draws closer.
Next GIFT Event is January8, 2012: We Believe in Jesus.
