ST. JOHN PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES FROM JANUARY 7, 2002

Msgr. Art Valenzano opened the meeting with a prayer.  The corrected Nov. minutes were approved.

Council Members in Attendance: Bob Andrews, Joe Cinquino, Terry Jones, Mike Oster, Peggy Rager, Joe Rankin, Fran Rock, Paul Rock, Dave Street, and Ken Yuhas.
Council Members absent: Jason Fitzgerald, Mike Rodgers, Frank Tontala, and Gail Young
Staff in attendance: Agnes Geraghty 	 
Guest: Charlie Swinderman

Parishioner Concerns
The safety issue concerning the outside lighting has been resolved.  Peggy Rager mentioned some complaints about too much Latin in a Christmas Eve mass; in the future a bulletin note will be made.  Peggy also suggested printing Council members names in the bulletin, the week before the meeting.  Dave Street heard complaints that Eucharist ministers were not appropriately dressed at the 6 PM Sunday mass.  Joe Rankin discussed the possibility of robes, but his committee felt that it was impractical.

Old Business
============
Master Plan 2003
The 12 noon mass on March 3rd will be celebrated by Cardinal Keeler followed by the Church groundbreaking ceremony.  On February 2nd, the contracts will be signed.  Terry Jones’ committee will meet to pick pews, review final drafts, etc.  Dave Street asked if there were plans for a loop system for the hearing impaired, and Terry said that they would work on it.  As soon as the contracts are signed, they will begin an RFP for the Fellowship Hall.  The Hall will not be for small meetings and will have no breakout walls. 
 
Development
The committee has been on hold because we did not have a firm groundbreaking date.  In a couple of weeks, they will have a meeting and begin working on the Campaign.

Liturgy
The committee discussed the evaluations of their October training and update sessions. Joe Rankin discussed some of their key goals for the near future which will be to open ministries to new ministers, train and support ministries for service to the church, and provide an opportunity for an annual spiritual enrichment for ministers.  Mike Oster asked about the status of the 10:30 choir.  At this time, we have a “working” choir.  Terry Jones said that the new church would seat 35 choir members.  There was much discussion about the music ministry and the hope for more dynamic groups.

Management & Finance
Paul Rock discussed the specific objectives for 2001-2002: Annual Budget and update the 5-Year forecast.  Communications –More “marketing” of Saint John’s, with articles in the newspaper.  Paul wants to evangelize to the 65% of parishioners who do not see the bulletin.  Mike Oster suggested contacting a parishioner who has some expertise in advertising.  Terry suggested that the Development Director compile a list of resource people within the parish to assist in this area.  Two new goals were introduced:  Develop management system to monitor construction process of new church and Prepare Risk Management Assessment for the Parish and School.  Terry Jones has the first area under control; he will have progress meetings every other week and will check on the site several times a week.

Outreach and Evangelization
Peggy Rager told us that the Spanish mass would be weekly at 3:15 PM on Sundays with reconciliation before mass.  There is a functioning choir; they are working on forming a new group and getting Spanish songbooks.  Denise Diegel is putting together a Spanish bulletin.  

Religious Education
The committee hasn’t met since our last meeting.

Sesquicentennial Committee
The committee will meet on February 4th.  Many committees have already begun their work.  Nancy Codnor is Pictorial Directory chairperson. 

Technology Committee
We have had a couple of improvements to the Web site and have plans for more enhancements.   Joe Rankin and Frank Tontala are preparing a needs analysis by interviewing the staff, asking for suggestions and improvements.  In the near future, the committee will have a proposal for the Council and a timetable for the plan.

Plaques
Major contributors for all 3 churches will be recognized with a plaque in the new church.

New Business
============
A nominations committee was formed; Ken Yuhas will be the chairperson, with Msgr. Art, Joe Cinquino, and Bob Andrews on the committee.  There will be 4 vacancies on the Council.

Rename M&F committee – It was decided that the committee name would remain the same.

Lenten appeal –The diocese is asking us to focus on the fact that we are part of a “bigger Church”.  They are asking us to pledge to help St. Mary’s in Cumberland and St. Michael’s in Frostburg.

Announcements: As we move toward the building of our new Church, Msgr. Art would like us to continue spiritual focus for our parish.  We will be starting Perpetual Adoration in the small chapel and will have sign-ups soon.  
Meeting adjourned. 

Submitted by, Peggy Rager, Recording Secretary