St. John Pastoral Council Meeting
September 12, 2005

The meeting opened with readings and discussion.  The June minutes were approved.  

Council members in attendance:  Ralph Arnold, John Bryan, Jeannie Carbo, Mike Fisher, Rosalie Gardner, Tom Greene, Terry Jones, Becky Martin, Mary Mussari, Mike Oster, Peggy Rager, Bob Repsher, Janet Tenney, Frank Tontala, Steve Torbeck

Council members absent: Denise Diegel, Joe Rankin, Fran Rock, Paul Rock

Staff in Attendance: Msgr Art Valenzano, Fr. John Robbins, Deacon Donald Miller, Pat Brink, Teresa Richardson, 

Guests:  Edie Foster, Richard Lyons, Tom Witmer (School Board President)

Parishioner Concerns
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Edie Foster, mother of a 2nd grader at St. John School, is concerned about the lack of air conditioning in the old part of the school.  She would like to do a separate fundraiser for installation of A/C in this area of the school.  Terry Jones responded by saying that this past summer, there were several projects in the old part of the school which included painting classrooms and upgrading emergency lights.  Next year, 2 classrooms will receive painting, lighting upgrades and air conditioning, with a cost of $10,000 per room.  This renovation schedule will continue over the next few years. Tom Witmer, school board president, identified A/C as a need, but other more important issues need to be addressed first, namely an improved fire alarm system and other safety concerns, as well as full day kindergarten.  Tom and Ralph Arnold will be addressing the St. John PTF to talk about development and setting priorities for projects. 

Richard Lyons, a Boy Scout in our parish, would like to perform a Scout project to refurbish and renovate the old Stations of the Cross for outdoor display.  He submitted a blueprint, plan and fundraising ideas.  Subject to investigation, the plan was approved.  

Frank Tontala mentioned that a parishioner suggested that we post the council minutes in the bulletin, Bob Repsher suggested that we place some items in the bulletin, stating that the full bulletin is on the Web, and also displayed in the narthex.  

Jeannie Carbo mentioned that a parishioner noticed that once again the Community Rape Crisis concert will be held in the Church. Would there be a possibility of holding future plays or pageants, etc. in the Church?  Msgr. Art stated that the present policy of no plays, etc. would stand.  

Terry Jones mentioned that some of the bad engraving on memorial bricks outside the church would be rectified.  

OLD BUSINESS
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Discussion of Strategic Goals – Goals have been turned in and will be discussed at the Council Retreat.

Follow-up of Parish Self-Assessment – All committees except Liturgy have turned in their self-assessment. 

Outreach & Evangelization – Frank Tontala reported that Sept. 25th will be St. Vincent de Paul Society Day, celebrated with mass and breakfast.  A Spanish priest will serve our parish for 2-2 ½ days a week.  He has celebrated mass here for the last several weeks.  The Mary Martha ministry has 10 volunteer teams with 141 people.  Families have been very appreciative.  Frank also mentioned the possibility of a Parish Directory.  There was much discussion on this project and the enormous time commitment, percentage of parish participation, etc.  The issue was tabled at this time.

Religious Education –Becky Martin reported that the Scott Hahn talks have already sold out.  The enrollment in the Religious Education program is 1000, 155 in the Confirmation program, 155 in First Communion, and over 60 in RCIY and RCIA.  Life Teen has been designated as a HUB parish for MD, Delaware, DC and Arlington, VA.    Adult Faith Formation is an area marked for improvement.  A Mount professor will be speaking on the infancy and passion narratives.  Fr. Leo Patalinghug will hold a lecture on the 2nd Vatican Council, celebrating its 40th anniversary.  At McDaniel College, 30 students are actively involved in Campus Ministry.  

Development – Ralph Arnold reported that there is still a current debt of $2.4 million.  We will continue sending letters to the bottom half of the alphabet.  In reviewing Legacy giving, it was recommended that the Parish make a commitment to use Catholic Family Foundation for use as a marketing/investing/estate planning vehicle for the Parish and to move $20,000 from existing investments to the Foundation.  The weekly offering average is a little below budget, but over time, we will probably be OK.  Stewardship weekend will be October 22nd/23rd.  Msgr. Art will deliver the message at all masses.  

Liturgy – Joe Rankin reported via e-mail.  In an effort to include more people in the ministry, plans are being made to have the Lectors on a rotating schedule.  All EMC’s are updating their sacramental records as required.  Music leaders are working to bring about a greater sense of parish unity by doing the same “Mass Parts” at all of the weekend masses.  We would like to eventually teach some in Latin to be used during Lent 2006.

Management & Finance – Tom Greene is the new chairperson of this committee.  The budget for next year will be $1.9 million.  The committee will be working on timelier reporting to the parish with quarterly reporting; the budget was approved.  The school budget is running at a slight deficit because of “timing” issues; budget also approved. 

School Report – Pat Brink reported that the current enrollment is 525 with a student/teacher ratio of 30:1.  There is no waiting list.  On November 28th, the Middle States Re-accreditation project will begin.  

School Board Report – Tom Witmer distributed a report detailing the School Board members for the coming year.  The Full Day Kindergarten Report will be posted on the website and discussed at Back to School Night on September 19th.  


NEW BUSINESS
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Portico Report – Teresa Richardson reported the following about groups utilizing the facility:  May 2005 – 73% ministry, June – 88% ministry, July - 71% ministry, September – 89% ministry.  Only certain groups pay for use of the facility, so in June, 54% of income was considered actual income.  Teresa mentioned that the facility is being used primarily by ministries within the parish as opposed to “outside” use.  

Picnic report – This year the Parish Picnic essentially broke even, but attendance is down to 500, from 800 in 2004 and 1000 in 2003.  We are considering moving the Picnic back to our campus and soliciting sponsors so it will be free to parishioners.

Carnival Report and Christmas Report - no report

Announcements - The Pastoral Council Planning Retreat will be held in The Portico on Saturday, October 8th beginning with mass in the Church at 8 AM.  The Birthday/Thank you Party for Sr. Bernadette went very well.  Gay Hart will be our new coordinator of Health Care Ministry; Margie Connor is new parish secretary.  We will have no full time seminarian this year, but 5 seminarians will be working on and off throughout the year.  The Hurricane Relief collection was over $70,000, not including the 6 PM mass.  Meeting adjourned.

			Respectfully submitted by Peggy Rager, Recording secretary