St. John Pastoral Council Meeting
March 14, 2005

The meeting opened with a reading and a prayer.
January minutes were approved.

Council members in attendance: Ralph Arnold, John Bryan, Jeannie Carbo, Tom Greene, Terry Jones, Becky Martin, Mike Oster, Peggy Rager, Joe Rankin, Fran Rock, Janet Tenney, Steve Torbeck, Dawn Walsh, Clolita Williams
Council members absent:  Denise Diegel, Pat Scheper, Frank Tontala
Staff in Attendance:  Pat Brink, Agnes Geraghty, Teresa Richardson, Msgr. Art Valenzano	
Guest:  Charlie Swinderman 

Parishioner concerns:  Fran Rock mentioned that some people complained that they can’t drive to the mission at night; they would like to have something during the day.  Msgr. Art said that the person doing the mission usually speaks at the daily mass.  
Tom Greene mentioned a concern about the availability of “Cat’s Meow” replicas of the church; more are on order.

OLD BUSINESS:  
Strategic Goals – We will discuss these at our next meeting.

Update on “Old Church” – Terry Jones reported that the renovations are going well; they are already putting in the ceiling grid; they are a little behind on the electrical, and the tiling of the bathroom is going well.  Teresa Richardson, “Hall” manager gave us some updates.  There will be an Open House on the weekend of May7/8.  There will be a Community Open House for businesses on May 11th.  There is a written handbook of policies and procedures.  We have extended a contract to Johansson’s and Harry’s and are waiting to hear from Maggie’s and Boulevard & Beyond.  Only caterers can provide alcohol.  The caterers’ contracts will be for 1 year; all contracts will be sent to the Archdiocese for approval.  Ministries in the parish can do “Pot Luck” or use the caterers.    The “Portico” can host 280 people.  Bishop Malooly will dedicate the building on Father’s Day, June 19th.  May is booked, and June and July are light, but we already have bookings for 2006.  Rental rates will vary for ministries, parishioners, non-parishioners, and businesses; ministries and parishioners have first priority, but no one gets “bumped.” We are the largest hall in the diocese and we are the only ones that require a caterer.   

Accessible doors – Terry Jones mentioned that the doors will cost $10,000 a piece; we will investigate further and look into possible grants.  

Outreach & Evangelization – Msgr. Art mentioned that we might work with Sacred Heart in Glyndon to have a Spanish ministry priest working in both parishes, one day a week.  It would help to have a presence and to assist with sacramental preparation.  Janet Tenney reported that she is starting a Bereavement ministry that will have a spiritual component as well as offer lunches for after funerals.  Peggy Rager reported that the nursery is overflowing and we need a bigger space.  Pat Brink assured us that the Kindergarten room would be available for that purpose.  

Religious Education – Becky Martin reported that 24 new members were welcomed into our parish at the Easter Vigil.  In the next session, 23 RCIA candidates will be welcomed into the church on the Feast of Christ the King.  Paul Gallagher will be developing a standardized curriculum for this program.  We are still in search of a youth minister to replace Scott Link; this person will be in charge of Youth Alive and The Edge; interviewing has begun and the department would like to hire by May. 
 
School Report – Msgr. Art said that as our school grew from one class to two classes per grade, we kept 35 students per class; the Archdiocese wanted less.  This year, there is no waiting list and some decline in enrollment.  However the school is doing very well; the Archdiocese is pleased and Msgr. Art feels that we are raising good citizens.  We are very proud of our faculty.  We will soon begin to develop a relationship between Dr. Powell, president of Mt. St. Mary’s University and St. John school, pursuing ways to maintain the Catholic identity of the school.  Pat and her staff are continuing to prepare for the Middle States evaluation; in the fall, the team will come to the school.  Tom Witmer forwarded a report; next year the tuition will reflect a 6.5% increase.  The Capital budget was discussed; implementation of full day kindergarten will impact the existing facility and in turn the budget.  Tom Greene mentioned that computers were in the Capital budget; he thinks that computers should be in the Operating budget because we need computers immediately.

Development – Ralph Arnold reported that Phase II of the Capital campaign is in full swing.  We are still in need of $274,000.  Agnes Geraghty began a letter writing campaign to parishioners who had never donated, and received $64,000.  When that part of the campaign is complete, we will re-evaluate our need.  The committee decided not to have a separate campaign for “The Portico”.  We are anticipating that revenue from “The Portico” will begin to pay down some of our debt.  Ralph also mentioned that our weekly offering is in line with our weekly budget.  

Liturgy – Joe Rankin reported that Fr. Leo said that we will continue to have communion in both forms.  We need more education for our parishioners.  We are also planning a procession from the St. John Cemetery to our church on May 29th on the Feast of Corpus Christi.  The Ministers’ Retreat on January 29th at Carroll Community College went well.  Fr. Leo gave a talk on the mass and a DVD will be available at the end of April in the parish library.  

Management & Finance – Tom Greene reported that we are in “debt” status and have started taking draws from our credit line.  We are still in great shape.  

NEW BUSINESS:	
Tom Greene mentioned that we will soon be involved in a Parish Self-Assessment.  All committee chairs will have to assist in determining the needs, strengths and weaknesses of the parish; the Assessment will be due to Bishop Malooly at the Archdiocese by August 1st.  Steve Torbeck will compile the information for our parish.  

Nominating Committee – Janet Tenney will be chairperson, assisted by John Bryan. 
 
Announcements – Msgr. Art reported that Cardinal Keeler is celebrating 50 years in the priesthood, 25 years as a bishop; a mass will be celebrated on April 20th.  The Lenten Appeal has raised $41,000 thus far.  St. John had the largest collection for “Tsunami Relief” in the diocese, and the Baltimore Diocese was the largest in the country.  In 2006, St. John will host the Archdiocesan Scout Mass.  

Meeting adjourned.

      Submitted by Peggy Rager, Recording Secretary