ST. JOHN PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES FROM MARCH 4, 2002 

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

Council Members in Attendance:  Bob Andrews, Joe Cinquino, Terry Jones, Mike Oster, Peggy Rager, 
Joe Rankin, Fran Rock, Paul Rock, Mike Rodgers, and Ken Yuhas
Council Members absent: Jason Fitzgerald, Dave Street, Frank Tontala, and Gail Young
Staff in attendance:  Pat Brink, Fr. Brian, Fr. Andy, Jordan Torbek, Greg Fisher, Paul Gallagher, Theresa 
Greene, Ruth Hartman, and George Misulia		
Guest: Charlie Swinderman

Parishioner Concerns
Peggy Rager mentioned that several parishioners were concerned about the music at the 8:45 mass; George Misulia said that the music group is in transition.  The Ash Wednesday evening Mass was very crowded; an additional mass was discussed for next year.

Old Business
============
Master Plan 2003
The Groundbreaking went well.  Terry Jones said that the site work will begin in 2 weeks and the contract documents are almost complete. 

Religious Education
Paul Gallagher and his staff made a presentation and distributed information.  Paul spoke about the fluctuations in numbers that have resulted from the change from Sundays, tuition increases, etc.  Religious Ed. now has a $238,000 budget. Paul spoke about a Parenting Program with Tom Zirpoli, meeting on Sunday evenings. The First Communion program includes older children as well as 2nd graders.  The Confirmation program revised its guidelines, age requirements, and the duration of the program.  Our RCIY program has a larger program than other parishes, primarily because of our “Life Teen” and “Edge” programs. “The Edge” has about 75 kids and “Life Teen” is a Eucharist centered program with 11 adult volunteers.  Fr. Brian is working with the Campus Ministry group at Western Maryland College.  The ongoing training of catechists is going well.

Liturgy
George Misulia distributed a handout on Music Ministry.  It included the history of the music groups and leadership personnel, areas of service, training, equipment, recruiting, special projects, song search and selection.  He spoke about the future and rebuilding the adult choir. Mike Oster reaffirmed his hope for an expanded choir, especially with the improved acoustics in the new church.  George is interested in helping to build a Catholic culture, possibly promoting concerts in our parish. George recruited a new group for the 8:45 mass which will sing a mix of traditional and contemporary music.  Fr. Andy was concerned that too much focus has been placed on the music and its downfalls, rather than the liturgy.  

Development
Mike Oster said that the Capital Campaign is positioned to start the 2nd Phase.

Management & Finance
Paul Rock reported that the offertory is over budget and expenses are over budget; and everything is going well.  Religious Education is an area that is under budget.

Outreach & Evangelization
Peggy Rager reported that the St. John’s Ministries/ Organizations handbook is being updated to include new activities in the parish.  St. Vincent de Paul Society is developing a strategic plan for the next 4 years.  The co-op nursery will probably be in the old Religious Ed office, near the cafeteria.  There was an article in the CC Times about the Hispanic ministry.  The Women’s Prayer Breakfast (176 people) was a wonderful success.  Perpetual Adoration has scheduled over 500 people; most time slots have 2 or more scheduled.

Sesquicentennial Committee
No Report.  The committee will meet in April.

Technology Committee
Joe Rankin distributed a comprehensive plan of Technology goals. The top hardware goal is to bring the school, Religious Ed office, and parish office under the same network.  The top software goal is to implement internet web content filtering; Msgr. Art hoped this would happen ASAP. The top personnel goal is to hire a part time technology staff person so that technology issues can be resolved quickly.  Many other parishes have a full time information systems position.

New Business
============
Nominations Committee has recruited Nancy Codner, Tom Greene, Sue Sheper, Ken Wetzel, and Dawn Walsh, but we still need one more name.  

Announcements: Msgr. Art thanked Fran Rock and her committee for their hard work at the Groundbreaking Ceremony.  He also asked for our patience in the parking situation over the next 1 ½ years.

On May 25th, George Gannon will be ordained.  

Meeting adjourned.

Submitted by,
Peggy Rager, Recording Secretary