St. Gregory’s Pastoral Council
Minutes of Meeting: Jan. 19, 2011
Meeting Called to Order at 7:05pm; and Opening Prayer was said by Fr. Peter Gorges.
Members in Attendance: Fr. Peter Gorges, Tony DelMoral, Charles Horan, Michael LaGuire, Kay Baird, Jim Dinley. Barb DeLong will be contacted about her position on the Council.
The following topics were discussed:
1. Church Choir Loft Projects – Overhead lighting as been installed. Installation of wiring for sound equipment has not been installed. The Mass Choirs will remain at the present location in the front of the church. Other concerns about ‘hiding’ sound wiring in the sanctuary were bundled-into the Choir Loft Projects. Fr. Peter will take immediate action to have someone make those wires less conspicuous, and less of a safety hazard. Also included in the Choir Loft Projects was encouragement for the priest to use a lapel microphone, for the benefit of those who have some hearing loss. We probably have to upgrade that equipment, to eliminate other noises.
2. Fire Alarm System Report (6-26-10) – Fr. Peter will have someone from the city come-by to make sure that all report-recommended procedures have been completed.
3. Maintenance: As needed, the priest will contact Gordy for plumbing & heating affairs; and Bruce for electrical things. Robert (part-time maintenance employee) will be contacted about hazardous holes among the perimeter rocks of the lower Church parking lot. It was noted that we need two new vacuum cleaners in the BKC. They will be purchased this week. Cora Nesbit has been hired (part-time) to do weekly janitorial services in the Church, Corrigan Hall, BKC downstairs, and Ave Maria Chapel.
4. St. Gregory’s Catholic Church Site Inspection Report: In July, 2010, Tony DelMoral did an extensive & thorough inspection of all our buildings: Church, Corrigan Hall, BKC, Ave Maria Chapel & Rectory. In previous meetings, the Pastoral Council agreed on ‘priority’ things that were needed for safety & efficiency. Some of these things have been accomplished; many left to be done:
a) Repaving of the Church Parking Lot. After the oil tank was dug-up, replaced, and moved to an above-ground location between the Rectory & the BKC, it was obvious that we needed some major work on the Church Parking Lot. That was completed last Summer.
b) Repair/Replacement Costs. Thanks to the continued generosity of our parishioners, we can pay the estimated costs. With the blessings of the Parish Finance Council members, these are our priorities:
1st Priority - Church ($3,150) & Rectory ($5,100). Since the report was made, it was determined that we need to replace the Toro stove in the Ave Maria Chapel. Also, since the report was made, it was determined that windows in Corrigan Hall & Church need replacing, as there is water seepage during heavy rains. Tony is in contact with someone about this. It will be done as soon as possible.
2nd Priority – Church ($12,300); Rectory ($19,500); BKC ($3,400); Chapel ($7,800).
3rd Priority – Church ($12,000); Rectory ($900); Grounds ($500).
5. Parking Lot Gates: These are a nice addition to the Lincoln Street entrance. Artist Matt Stroemer gave us a substantial break in the price. However, it has been noted that the rest of our Lincoln Street boarder needs some sprucing-up, to adequately complement the gates. Tony will contact Matt about what can be done.
6. Fr. Ben (Bernard) Konda: He will be arriving in Sitka next Wednesday (January 26th), on the 6pm plane. Fr. Ben (in his early 70’s) is one of our Juneau Diocesan priests who was pastor of St. Gregory’s from September 1992 to August 1995. He left here to be pastor of Ketchikan; and then had Chancery Office & Pastoral positions in the Seattle, Tucson & Denver Diocese, before retiring to his home turf in Kansas. He is delighted to be able to be the fill-in priest in Sitka for a while. He will be here February through May. A flyer with this information will be inserted in the Sunday Bulletin this week.
7. Fr. Peter Gorges continues his retirement residence in the St. Gregory’s rectory. As needed, he fills-in around the diocese, and occasionally in Anchorage parishes. As the ‘Retirement’ bug bites, he travels around for family & fun. Sitka is home-base; and he is here, when he is not ‘on the road again’!
8. Church Women’s Council: Kay gave a report on the revitalized St. Gregory’s Women’s Council. Angie & Tonya gave an impassioned presentation during all the Masses one weekend in September. Over 20 women responded. Some have signed-up for various church ministries; others are available, as their schedules permit.
9. Religious Education Programs: Ann is doing a wonderful job. The funding for these programs is a major parish priority.
10. RICA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults): The RCIA Program needs to be revived. There are people out-there, who want to become Catholics … and we have to provide a quality RCIA course to help them do it. Fr. Gorges will be scouting for some program leaders. But everyone in the parish should be interested in sharing our Faith with those who are interested. A well-run RCIA program will bring new life into the entire parish!
11. Youth Ministry: We really need a full-time Youth Minister for our High School students. Volunteers are doing a wonderful job; but we owe our students more. Council members are researching a job description, and ways to advertize for someone to fill this post. Juneau has hired John, a young man (30-something) who is running an excellent Catholic ‘Life Teen’ program for the two Catholic parishes there. John is also the Juneau Diocesan Youth Director … willing & able to help us in our search for the right person; and the right program. This is a priority! We would like to have somebody for this position before this summer. Job description includes college degree in Catholic Youth Ministry. Tony (a Youth Committee member) will re-activate that Committee; and be in touch with John.
12. The 2010 Faith In Action Collection came-in a bit over our goal. Thanks to all who participated!
13. The Fr. Penisten computer crises has caused major problems for our volunteer Office Manager, Pam. She spent hours restoring programs, re-entering data, and doing the normal year-end stuff. God bless her!
14. Contact Folks: Names of ‘contact’ parishioners will also be included in the flyer in this week’s Sunday Bulletin: Anne Morris (Religious Education); Pam Luprek (Office & Finance); Curtis Baird (Overall Facilities); Robert Morris (Facilities upkeep); Cora Nesbit (Janitorial); Mike Perensovich (Kitchen), Monica Mills (Liturgical Ministries); Diane Marx, Warlee Gonzales & Mary Beth Palof (Music/Choir); Tonya Venneberg & Angie DelMoral (Church Environment).
15. Pastoral Council Leadership: Kay has volunteered to be the Recording Secretary. Other members of the Council will rotate as leaders of monthly meetings: agenda, notification, bulletin announcement, etc. Meetings will be held the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Visitors welcome! Minutes are published on the parish bulletin board, and at our parish web site: http://sites.google.com/site/stgregorysitka/
Meeting Closed at 9pm with a prayer by Fr. Peter Gorges.
St. Gregory Nazianzen Parish
Minutes of Finance Council Meeting
17 May 2010
Members Present: Steve Brenner, Michelle Dittrich, Pamela Luprek, Mike Venneberg, Fr Scott
|
SUBJECT |
DISCUSSION |
ACTION |
|
Opening |
Fr. Scott opened the meeting with prayer. |
Information only. |
|
Parish financial condition
Facilities-related projects
Automatic giving
Report to parish.
Next meeting:
|
Balance sheet and income statements for last fiscal quarter (ending 30 April 2010) were examined.
The primary purpose of this meeting was to discuss the financing of necessary facilities improvements, particularly those identified by the TCI report received last November. In that report, prioritized repairs to the church, chapel, rectory (exterior), BKC, and grounds amounted to about $125,000 (depending upon the amount of parishioner labor employed). Needed repairs to the rectory interior have not been assessed; Fr Scott is allowing $25,000 for the sake of discussion. Other expected expenditures, not covered in the TCI report include choir relocation (about $2,200 beyond the electrical improvements already accomplished), enhancements to the sanctuary (allow $20,000), and installation of a recently donated church bell (not yet estimated). In addition improvements to the south of the property along Lincoln St need be made. $30,000 is being budgeted.
The Council was asked to recommend an amount of cash reserves to be maintained
Fr Scott advised that the parish has contracted with a company which will make possible automated giving. The system was briefly discussed. Implementation tba.
A Pastoral Council suggestion was discussed: having the Finance Council report to the parish as to the state of its finances, internal controls in place, plans for future expenditures, and the need for generous and faithful financial support of the parish.
To be determined. |
Information only.
Council identified savings to be maintained as corresponding to existing checking balance (approx. $15K) plus a $50K CD, together with several accounts allocated for specific purposes, totaling approx. $80,000, as against a net equity of $244K.
Information only.
Mike Venneberg agreed to make this presentation on an upcoming Sunday.
Information only |
Minutes of Pastoral Council Meeting
16 June 2010
Present: Kay Baird, Tony DelMoral, Barbara DeLong, Michael LaGuire, Charles Horan, Fr Scott
Not present: Jim Dinley
· The meeting opened with prayer and recitation of the Diocesan Mission Statement. Reading of the minutes of the last meeting was waived, draft minutes having previously been distributed electronically.
· Prior to addressing the agenda Barbara DeLong asked if the 4th of July Fish Fry was being held this year. Fr Scott advised that it was not, as the Women’s Group did not feel they were able to host it. Fr Scott, however, said that he had hopes for a substitute event.
· Religious Education:
o Children’s classes have finished for the year. Anne Morris’s contract as Director of Religious Education has been renewed for next year.
o Adult R.C.I.A. is on temporary hiatus while those (five or so) who previously expressed interest in the faith solidify their commitment. Meanwhile, we potentially have a husband-wife team for teaching. Tony DelMoral aksed if we were still intending to have guest speakers rotating in from the parish. Fr Scott said yes.
· Liturgy and Spiritual Life:
o Fr Scott expressed concern over the typical parish “summer syndrome” which sees a certain falloff in Sunday Mass attendance. Also addressed was the issue of lapsed Catholics.
§ Charles Horan suggested that we use the occasion of our recently purchased parish census program to institute a callout campaign. This would have certain parishioners phoning other parishioners, not only to confirm census data, but additionally to ascertain if there were particular needs or issues that need be addressed, and if the priest should follow up.
§ Kay Baird and Barbara DeLong expressed approval and Tony DelMoral suggested making a social event of the calling campaign. Charles will develop a draft “script.”
o A Spanish language Mass was offered last month, as requested. On the advise of the principal proponent (Gloria Parent), given the summer work schedule, the next such Mass is planned for September.
o Changes are coming to the Mass, Fr Scott advised, as previously announced to the parish. Though the essentials will remain unchanged, the Vatican has just approved a revised English translation to the Latin original. Between now and the anticipated implementation (about Advent 2011) we will offer incremental catechesis to the parish.
· Charity, Justice, and Peace: Fr Scott gave an update to our “Saturday Soup and Sandwich” outreach to the poor. We are still receiving clients each week, usually 3-5 people, though commitment to service on the parts of many of our volunteers needs to be improved.
· Youth Ministry:
o CYO is on hiatus, as normal for the summer.
o Three young people are planning to travel to Anchorage for the annual Alaska Catholic Youth Conference (ACYC). Maybelle Filler is chaperoning and facilitating fundraising.
o An extended discussion ensued as to youth ministry. Michael LaGuire asked it those attending would provide the parish a presentation as to their experience on their return. Fr Scott said that they would. Fr Scott additionally advised that he intends to advertise for a new Youth Director. This decision was affirmed by most of the Council. A particular candidate was suggested. Charles Horan said that we have a “huge opportunity” in the presence of native youth from Mount Edgecumbe High School (MEHS); they, and the local students from Sitka High School (SHS) represent the “future of the Church.” We need, Charles said, to “promote a vision of connecting the two.” Tony DelMoral agreed, saying that integration between the two schools needs to happen. Charles Horan added that the U.S. Catholic Bishop’s document on youth ministry calls for their integration into the parish. This should be our vision as well, though it is further complicated by the need for enculturation (as noted above). Tony DelMoral suggested that parents of high schoolers need direction/encouragement to make youth ministry participation a priority for their children; the sense is that, with parents of SHS youth “everything else,” (e.g., sports, other extracurricular activities) comes ahead of church. Michael LaGuire offered that we need to pray for stability in this ministry (i.e., a Youth Director and team staying on the job for several years), while Tony DelMoral added that “systems” need be in place (i.e., to guard against the success of our youth ministry being entirely dependent upon the current youth director).
o Plans are being made to send interested youth to World Youth Day next August (Madrid).
· Hospitality:
o After over a year of valued service Mary Hughes has decided to draw back from this ministry for health reasons.
o Fr Scott intends to reconstitute the Hospitality function, as initially intended, to include bereavement ministry, outreach to new families and families with new children, etc., while also planning several social events per year. Tony DelMoral suggested that the Filipino community be invited to take an active role. Kay Baird suggested that invitations to participate (in this and other ministries) be included in our planned census phone campaign. Michael LaGuire suggested that such invitations be tied to limited time frames (e.g., a couple of weeks).
o Fr Scott mentioned his intent to publish a parish photo directory, to enable members to get to know one another better.
· Facilities repairs and improvements:
o Priority work (items identified by TCI survey report):
§ Underground storage tank removed from upper parking lot (Priority 1).
§ Grounds- upper parking lot depressions filled with concrete (interim measure – Priority 2)
§ Chapel exterior north: oil tank (Priority 2) revised scope of work from repainting to replacement. New unit on site.
o Non-priority work:
§ Lincoln Street Improvements:
· Gating. Fr Scott presented budget proposal from a parishioner for metal gating. Council unanimous in recommendation to proceed.
· Perimeter closure. Fr Scott mentioned that his initial preference for a stone or stone and concrete wall as a frontage to Lincoln St has met with disinterest by local contractors. Charles Horan suggested a wooden fence be considered; others voiced cautions relative to maintenance. Other solutions were explored until a consensus formed around a landscaped solution – a line of low trees (or bushes) interspersed with large stones.
· Paving proposals are being sought for both the lower parking lot and the upper (the latter being a Priority 2 project).
· Signage: proposals are being solicited for a new church sign.
§ Church interior: choir relocation pends assistance from another priest with acoustics experience. A bill of materials is being prepared.
· Parish Finances: Fr Scott reported on conference with Finance Council, which resulted in recommendations of minimum cash reserves to be maintained.
· Other: Fr Scott informed that our seminarian, Steve Gallagher, will be at St Gregory’s for training this summer. He is to be ordained to the transitional diaconate 11 August 2010 in Juneau.
· The next meeting was set for Wednesday 8 September 2010 pending developments in ongoing projects; if necessary an earlier meeting may be scheduled.
Fr Scott closed the meeting with prayer.