St. John Pastoral Council Meeting
January 2, 2006

The meeting opened with readings and discussion.  The November minutes were approved. 
Council members in attendance:  Ralph Arnold, John Bryan, Jeannie Carbo, Rosalie Gardner, Tom Greene, Peggy Rager, Joe Rankin, Bob Repsher, Fran Rock, Paul Rock, Frank Tontala, Steve Torbeck  Council members absent:  Denise Diegel, Mike Fisher, Terry Jones, Becky Martin, Mary Mussari, Mike Oster, Janet Tenney,   Staff in Attendance:  Msgr. Art Valenzano, Fr. Leo Patalinghug, Fr. Kevin Mueller, Pat Brink
Guests:  Tom Witmer (School Board President), Becky Harman
	Fr. Kevin Mueller was introduced.  He will be filling in while Msgr. Art is on sabbatical.  He grew up in Towson.  In the past, he was assigned to St. Joseph’s in Cockeysville and Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  He has taught 5th grade Social Studies and Science and most recently was at the Retreat House.  Welcome to Fr. Kevin.
Parishioner Concerns:  Becky Harman from Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County spoke to us about a faith based program called Faith in Action.  In the past, volunteers have made phone calls to housebound elderly. The program would like to expand beyond telephone calls to actual visits to help with household chores, shopping, transportation, socializing, etc.  A project director/ coordinator is in place.  Becky is visiting area churches to ask for assistance with this program.  Grace Lutheran and St. Paul’s United Church of Christ are already on board and Becky would like St. John Church to join.  Minimum expectations would be 3 volunteers per parish. Volunteer training would be provided.  The council thought that it was a wonderful idea and approved in principal to support it.  We will investigate further and a decision will be made at a later date.

OLD BUSINESS:
Carnival Report- No report
Portico Financial report – No report
Accessible doors – No report
Spanish Ministry – The informational sign for Spanish mass times will be in Spanish.
Central Calendar – No report
House of Worship Tour – Joe Cinquino was the chairperson of this event.  The tour 
ended with a concert at St. John’s and benefited the Community Foundation of Carroll 
County and Shepherd’s Staff.  The tour will be an annual event highlighting different 
Churches every year.  
Pastoral Council Planning Retreat – committee goals:
	Outreach goals for 2005-2006:  1.  Outreach to the poor   2. Hispanic Ministry – better ways to mainstream   3. Bereavement Ministry – better publicizing   4. Strengthen marriage and family life.   5. Enhance communication about ministry
	Liturgy Goals for 2005-2006:  Enhance Parish Liturgies Through Continual Communication and Collaboration with Liturgical Ministers, Train & Support Liturgical Ministers, Provide opportunities for Parishioner Education, Increase a sense of joy, friendliness and community at mass.
	Fran still needs goals from the rest of the committees.

Committee Updates:
Outreach & Evangelization – Frank Tontala reported that the St. Vincent DePaul Society served 159 families at Christmas; the use of The Portico was a big help.  There was no Welcoming Session in December.  The new Evangelist will be coming in February.  Outreach had a table at the Christmas Bazaar and it went well.  
Religious Education – Jeannie Carbo reported that Becky is looking into a central calendar.  The committee will also be issuing a survey on Pre-K and kindergarten, surveying full day kindergarten programs in the area.  
School Report – Pat Brink reported that the school recently went through a Middle States Evaluation and did very well.  A more detailed report will be distributed soon.  The Middle State recommendations were recommendations already made by our own evaluators in our self-study.  The school will be in the process of developing a strategic plan for the next 7 years to implement some of the recommendations.  
School board report – Tom Witmer distributed a handout with a list of board goals.  One of the most important goals will be to concentrate on full day kindergarten. As well as replenish board membership.  Tom commended the school on their success in the Middle States process. 
Development – No report
Management & Finance – No report
Liturgy – Joe Rankin reported that our annual Winter Day of Recollection will be on January 28th at Carroll Community College.  The speaker will be Fr. Hilgartner.  Also, the lector schedule is in the process of being revised to try to include more lectors.  We are in need of an Arts & Environment Coordinator.  The Christmas masses went smoothly and were very prayerful; thank you to Fr. Leo for his coordination of all of the masses.  Rosalie Gardner will take over as Liturgy chairperson, beginning in June.  
NEW BUSINESS:
Christmas Bazaar report – Msgr. Art reported that we made $37,000, which was a little over last year.  The 50/50 raffle was a new idea that worked well.  The Marketplace group did some evaluations of what works and what didn’t and there may be some changes in the future.  
Nomination committee – Mike Fisher, Jeannie Carbo, Rosalie Gardner volunteered to work on this committee and bring in a slate of 10 candidates.  Fr. Leo will assist them.
Book store report – Msgr. Art reported that Jean is doing a fantastic job with the bookstore. They have had $46,000 in sales since it opened with a $20,000 profit.  
	Tom Greene and some other parishioners would like to adopt St. Thomas Moore, a parish who experienced the ravages of Hurricane Katrina.  If possible, we could provide money, labor, materials, etc.  The council agreed to pursue this idea.  
Announcements – Msgr. Art reported that in the last few years, the Lenten Appeal has not hit its goal for our parish.  We would like to increase our level of participation.  There will be a meeting with Bishop Malooly on January 24th in The Portico.  The offertory for the Christmas weekend was $115,000.  Congratulations to the school on its Middle States evaluation.  Msgr. Art also announced that beginning this fall, St. John School and the Religious Education program will begin to teach a Catholic program on Human Sexuality; it will, of course, be grade appropriate.  MEETING ADJOURNED.
			Respectfully submitted by Peggy Rager, recording secretary