St. John Pastoral Council Meeting, Minutes from September 8, 2003

Msgr. Art Valenzano opened the meeting with a prayer.  Both June minutes were approved.

Council Members in Attendance: John Bryan, Tom Greene, Terry Jones, Mike Oster, Peggy Rager, Fran Rock, Paul Rock, Mike Rodgers, Pat Scheper, Janet Tenney, Frank Tontala, Dawn Walsh, and Gail Young
Council Members Absent: Bob Andrews, Joe Rankin, Clolita Williams    
Staff in Attendance:  Msgr. Art Valenzano, Fr. Leo Patalinghug, Pat Brink, Jim Sorra 
Guests:  Charlie Swinderman and Ned Judge

Parishioner Concerns:  Frank Tontala reported that there would be a video feed into the “old church” on the day of the Dedication.  Msgr. Art said that it would be considered a real mass and everyone will receive communion.  Pat Scheper suggested that the Cardinal and Msgr. Art greet the people in the old church.  Mike Rodgers suggested that anyone could visit the new church after the Dedication.    

OLD BUSINESS
Master Plan 2003 - Terry Jones reported that the new church will be completed on October 15th.  Painting has started and flooring is 25% complete.  Pews will be installed September 25th.  We are still working on the size and arrangement as well as our budget concerning the Fellowship Hall.  The cost of construction of the new church is coming in close to budget.  Mike Rodgers suggested tours of the new church for the general public.  Terry mentioned that we have a buyer for the pews in the old church; it is a Baptist church that is willing to pay $10,000.  Fran Rock reported that $72,825 has been made from the sale of commemorative bricks; all purchased bricks will be down by the day of the Dedication.

Religious Education - No report from the committee.  Pat Brink reported that the school presently has 572 students, 360 families.  The school's goal is for every parent to follow the STAND regulations; it will mean a lot of training.  The school also has a new computerized system of assessing students.  St. John students take standardized tests, but not the same tests as the public schools.

Development - There has been no recent meeting, but it was reported that Colleen Hattrup will contact current members to assess who wants to remain on the committee.  There will be a meeting with Msgr. Art to determine the direction of the committee following the Capital Campaign.  The Capital Campaign has raised $6,808,672 and still needs to raise $698,148 to reach our goal of $8,056,600.  

Liturgy - Annual Retreat - January 17, 2004 from 8 AM - 2 PM at Carroll Community College  Fr. Leo Patalinghug's handout focused on Evangelization efforts for the new church building.  These areas included Open House Tours, Radio spots, Welcome and Outreach offered during the Tours, Re-membering Committee (reaching out to fallen away Catholics), and Letters to Parishioners who attend church infrequently.  Fr.Leo also distributed information concerning the survey of mass time changes.  The survey was a statistical dead heat.  The mass schedule will be finalized by Sept. 12th and begin November 1st.  There will be various types of advertising and  a highway sign with the new mass schedule.  Msgr. Art mentioned that we will not have the 12 PM, 3:15 PM and 6 PM mass on the day of the Dedication.  Mike Oster suggested that Msgr. Art give a tour of the new church via the local Cable channel.  

Management  & Finance - Tom Greene reported that in the period ending June 30th, St. John's was in the black, $46,000.  Although we are not in a borrowing mode, after September, that will change.  In the school budget, there will be a 7% increase because we are bringing in more experienced teachers.  The school's proposed budget is $1,743,000.  The school is $13,000 in the red. The general and school budgets were approved.  Paul Rock said that Stewardship Sunday will take place in the new church.  

Outreach & Evangelization - Frank Tontala reported that “The Evangelist” mailing will be going out in October.  The Welcoming sessions are greeting 20 families a month.  New welcoming packets will be designed for the New Year.  St. Vincent de Paul Society donated $89,400 to help 1,490 families.  On September 28th at the 10:30 mass, we will honor the volunteers from this wonderful organization. 

Sesquicentennial Committee - Fran Rock  The Alumni reunion, The Three Mary's, and the picnic were all very successful.  Special Long term service recognition - John Bryan volunteered as chairperson. 

NEW BUSINESS:
The Pastoral Council retreat -September 27th at 8 AM in the church.  Following the mass, a meeting will be held in the Parish Center.  Dawn Walsh will arrange for refreshments and donuts.
Dedication mass - Although the logistics are difficult, plans are going very well.  Distribution of tickets is also a very difficult process.  Over 2500 parishioners expressed an interest in tickets.  We will hold a second lottery if needed.  Gail Young said that many parishioners are wondering how the lottery was held.  There was much discussion on this issue, but it was the decision of the dedication committee that the fairest way to distribute tickets would be by lottery, regardless of financial contribution.  

Announcements - Msgr. Art announced Jim Sorra's pastoral year assignment.  

Meeting adjourned.
						
Submitted by Peggy Rager, Recording Secretary