St. John Pastoral Council Meeting
May 2, 2005

The meeting opened with a reading and a prayer.

March minutes were approved.

Council members in attendance:  Ralph Arnold, John Bryan, Jeannie Carbo, Denise Diegel, Tom Greene, Terry Jones, Peggy Rager, Fran Rock, Paul Rock, Janet Tenney, Frank Tontala, Steve Torbeck, Dawn Walsh

Council members absent:  Becky Martin, Mike Oster, Joe Rankin, Pat Scheper, Clolita Williams

Staff in Attendance:  Pat Brink, Fr. Brian Nolan, Agnes Geraghty, Msgr. Art Valenzano

Guests:  Charlie Swinderman, Tom Wittmer

Parishioner Concerns:  A parishioner would like a photographer and videographer for First Communion; it will be brought to the attention of the Liturgy committee.  

OLD BUSINESS:

Strategic goals:  Frank Tontala will e-mail committee goals to Peggy Rager for the next meeting.
Update on The Portico:  Terry Jones reported that The Portico is almost complete.  They will get the Use & Occupancy permit this week and will open this weekend, May 7/8.  Ministries will not be charged for meetings, but will have to pay a fee for events.  The parish will need to be educated about the use of The Portico.   
Accessible doors – Terry Jones recommended against installation of the doors because the cost is $10,000 per door.  A vote was taken; accessible doors will not be installed.
Spanish Ministry – Denise Diegel reported that the person who was supposed to fill the council position is not able to do so at this time; Msgr. Art recommended that we wait until he is available.  Msgr. Art mentioned that we are trying to have a Hispanic priest to work at the parish for 1-2 days a week.  Denise reported that there are 140-200 people at the Spanish mass.  The need is great for sacramental preparation.  

Outreach & Evangelization - Frank Tontala reported that the Welcoming ministry is doing well and will move to The Portico in June.  The nursery will soon move to the Kindergarten room of the school.  Janet Tenney is organizing the Bereavement ministry; the initial focus will be providing food after the funeral.  This fall, a 9 week series of classes called “New Day” will begin.  In January, St. Joseph’s in Eldersburg will host another 9 week session.  Fr. Brian hosted a Married Couples Retreat a month ago.  On September 24th, a 5 session married couples series will begin. The MIB basketball game took place at Westminster High School; 1800 people were in attendance.

Religious Education – No report.  Fr. Brian mentioned that the McDaniel College Campus Ministry is doing well.  There are about 25 students who are in and out throughout the year.  In an “Alternative Spring Break” program, a group went to Pensacola, FL to aid hurricane victims.  In the fall, the group will go to the Bronx.  

School Report – Msgr Art reported that he met with Dr. Powell of Mount Saint Mary’s.  They discussed the relationship between MSM and St. John School.  Any Catholic school teacher can get reduced tuition for their child at MSM and any St. John faculty can get reduced tuition for their master’s degree at MSM.  The Mount will be available to do workshops for teachers and parents.  Pat Brink reported that St. John school had 2 Knott scholarship winners this year.  The school is finalizing preparations for the Middle States Accreditation.  Pat and her team have been analyzing the last 5 years and formulating a 7 year strategic plan.  A team from Middle States will arrive on November 28, 2005.  Tom Wittmer distributed a school board report.  The board has developed a technology plan for the school. Full day Kindergarten was also discussed; it will start in the Fall of 2007.  There are also new governing documents for the School Board; they are in compliance with Archdiocesan guidelines and have been approved by the board.

Development – Ralph Arnold reported that the average weekly offering is $27,810 which is above budget.  The Capital Campaign is still in need of $250,133; Agnes is still working on letters to the second half of the alphabet.  The Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal for our parish was $82,906, which is up from 2004 and is an 18% increase in participation.  Jim Edwards, from the Catholic Family Foundation made a presentation to the committee; the foundation is currently offering $10,000 to parishes who establish endowment funds; one of our parishioners has established a $20,000 endowment for the school, but we need to formalize before we get the $10,000 match. Paul Rock commented that he was not sold on the ideas from The Catholic Family Foundation.  The school is looking into ways to raise funds for space needs when we add full day Kindergarten in 2007.

Liturgy – Peggy Rager reported for Joe Rankin.  The Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession will be held on May 29th; preparations have been going well.  Msgr. Art reaffirmed the importance of this parish event. Holy Communion will continue to be distributed in both forms; more education concerning this decision will be given in the bulletin and at future masses.  Extraordinary ministers of Communion will soon be assembling on the ramp prior to receiving communion to alleviate congestion.  Revision of lector schedules will be discussed by the committee to accommodate new lectors.

Management & Finance – Paul Rock reported that revenue is ahead of budget; expenses are in line with budget.  An increase in attendance has helped to increase the weekly offering.  We expect to finish this year on the plus side.  Paul said that we have to do a better job of reporting our financial position to the parish; he suggested that we have quarterly financial reports.  Paul commented that we are in debt and we need to determine ways to pay off that debt; we cannot rely on operating expenses.

NEW BUSINESS:
Nominations – Janet Tenney reported a full slate of candidates for the Pastoral council elections which will be held on the weekends of May 14/15 and May 21/22.  
Parish Self Assessment – Tom Greene reported that committee chairpersons have to fill out questionnaires; Steve Torbeck will compile them and give them to Tom Greene by June 20th.  Msgr. Art will get them to Bishop Malooly by August 1st.
Tom Greene mentioned that there should be some coordination of fundraising for the Carnival and Picnic so that there is no duplication of efforts.  Colleen Hattrup will coordinate these efforts.  Tom also mentioned a Fish Fry on Fridays during Lent.

Announcements – Cardinal Keeler will dedicate The Portico after the 11:15 mass on June 19th.  On May 5th, Tyson Wood will be ordained a deacon by Archbishop O’Brien and this summer will be ordained a priest.  On May 7th, Jim Sorra will be ordained a deacon and on May 21st, Joe Cinquino will be ordained a permanent deacon.  Thank you to all who donated to the Lenten Appeal.  August 20th is the Parish Picnic.  The week of May 30th is the Carnival.  Meeting adjourned.  

Respectfully submitted by Peggy Rager, Recording Secretary