Monday December 12, 2011

Pastoral Council Meeting Minutes

Opening/Closing Prayer~ Laura Sharp

Present~ Fr. Bill,  Joann Gardner,  Steve Gemma, Bill Harrison, Donna Lance, Roger Malone, Mike Mastro, Laura Sharp, Brandon Staten 

Absent: Pam Casserly

Reflection~

The Pastoral Council goal for 2011-2012 is “to support and engage our community to prayerfully prepare for and embrace the transition of parish leadership.”  The Council continues to discuss ways to achieve this objective. Father Bill received the Parish/Town Hall Meeting minutes summarizing the highlights of the small group discussions. The Pastoral Council will reflect on these minutes at a future meeting. All are encouraged to read the “Pondering Pauses” articles in the weekly bulletin, written by Father Bill, as he leads us through this transition journey.

Committee Meetings~

Ø  The Finance Committee was rescheduled to attend the February Pastoral Council Meeting along with Fundraising.

Ø  Deacon Dennis King, representing Formation, will attend the January Pastoral Council Meeting.

Old and Continuing Items of Business~

Ø  5 Year Plan-/Covenant  -  Bill continues to update, revise, re-format, and edit  the 5 Year Plan into a workable document.

Ø  Communications – Town Meetings/Vitality Coffee – A tentative date has been set for the Spring Parish Town Hall Meeting of May 21, 2012. Father Bill will contact Pat Kelly of Kelly Counseling Associates to check on her availability. The Pastoral Council supports the need to have Ms. Kelly address the emotional needs of the parish as we prepare for the transition of parish leadership.

Ø  The New Pastoral Council Membership Committee confirms that there will be three future member openings this spring. A Pastoral Council Vitality Coffee is planned for February at which time interested parishioners will be encouraged to consider learning more about this important ministry.

Ø  Ad Hoc Website – Brandon, Bill, and Pam will have an update at our next meeting.

New Items of Business~

Ø  The Parish Profile Committee whose members include, Father Bill, Pam Casserly, Mike Mastro, Roger Malone, and Donna Lance will be meeting Thursday, January 12th to prepare a response to the Bishop’s request for a complete Parish Profile of Saint John Neumann. Correspondence to the Bishop is to be completed by March 1. The next Diocesan Pastoral Council Meeting is March 24^th.  Lyle Garcia will be attending as a representative of the Round Valley Deanery.

Ø  The Leadership Committee, whose members include Father Bill, Joann Gardner, and Laura Sharp will be reviewing and updating the Pastoral Council’s components of the 5-year plan.

Ø  Steve Gemma distributed the 2011-2012 Pastoral Council Prayer Calendar.

Pastor’s Items of Business~

Ø  Father Bill distributed Parish Pastoral Council Resources from the Diocese of Metuchen and an article entitled “Bow Down for the Blessing” from Ministry & Liturgy Magazine.

Ø  Father Bill happily announced that Father Simo will be arriving On December 22 and staying until Jan 12 thanks to the generosity of a parishioner who shared their “flyer miles” to make this a reality.

Next Meeting: Monday January 16, 2012  7PM                                 Prayer: Steve Gemma

Minutes prepared by Donna Lance