St. Vivian Parish Pastoral Council Meeting - February 5, 2007

(This meeting replaced the January meeting postponed due to the death of PPC President Dave Lennert)

Members Present

Fr. Paul, Dave Nichols, Fran Schwartz, Mary Ellen Smith, Gus Geier, Deb Kaehr, Mike Ward, Jane Browe, Paul Hess, Star Vondrell

Absent

Steve Bien, Jan Grimes

I. The meeting opened with the recitation of the Prayer for Vocations.

II. Paul Hess moved, seconded by Deb Kaehr to approve the minutes of the November meeting.

 III. Old Business

A. St. Vivian/St. Bart Collaboration Update

The collaboration plan that was approved at the November meeting was presented to and accepted by the Archbishop. A summary of this report will be included in the bulletins of both parishes on the same weekend. Joint Lenten prayer services have been scheduled to be held on Tuesday nights. We discussed discussions with “like ministries” between parishes and Mike Ward will begin this process by meeting with their festival chairpersons. Our PPC would like to continue joint discussions going between councils, perhaps bi-annually.

B. Parish Survey Updates

1. Communications (Jane and Mary Ellen)

Discussion included the need for a Master Calendar that could be available both in print and online. Also, there is a need for a “point person” to coordinate all avenues of communications.  There is also a need to activate coordination and communication with our liaison groups.

2. Clarity of roles of Councils (Mike and Deb)

Mike and Deb presented the draft of a letter that they would like to send to not only those identified as “target” groups but to all of the organizations listed as our liaison groups asking for a definition of their roles within the parish. There is a need to collect this information in a timely manner from the major organizations prior to Discernment Sunday.

3. Music/Liturgy/Mass (Fr. Paul, Jan)

Fr. Paul reported that it is time for discussion to begin for the parish to reduce the number of Sunday masses. Concerns that were presented in the survey regarding liturgy, music, etc. will be addressed through catechesis (education) of “why we do what we do”.

4. First Communion (Fr. Paul)

Jean Margello and the 2nd grade teachers will meet with Jodie Bender to discuss First Communion procedures for 2008.  Plans for this year are already scheduled.  

C. Survey Communications

Jane, Mary Ellen and Deb will meet on Monday, February 19th to write Thank You notes to all of the people who included their names on their surveys.

D. Commission Reports

1) Temporal Affairs:

Fran reported that they are beginning discussions for the next year’s budget. Fr. Paul said that they are in early discussion of a policy that defines “parishioner rate” of tuition to apply after 1 year of membership in the parish.

2) Worship Commission: Absent

3) Education:

Mary Ellen summarized the 1/18/07 meeting. Their minutes are posted on the parish website for review. Fran will represent the PPC at the 3/15/07 meeting in Mary Ellen’s absence.

E. Twinning

Fr. Paul distributed copies of “Called to Global Solidarity: International Challenges for U.S. Parishes” to begin an education process for the PPC members regarding the Twinning process. Members were asked to read the Introduction and Signs of the Times sections for discussion at the next meeting. 

IV. NEW BUSINESS

A. Doughnut Sunday

We will co-host the 3/11/07 Doughnut Sunday with the members of the Education commission. This coincides with Discernment Sunday. The following members will work at the Sunday Masses:

8:15 Mike Ward, 10:00 Jane Browe, 11:30 Mary Ellen Smith

B. PPC Membership

Fr. Paul spoke to Steve Bien regarding his ability to continue his service on the PPC.  Steve is unable to continue due to time constraints related to his job.

Jane Browe has agreed to step up to the position of President following the death of Dave Lennert. According to our By Laws, Dave Nichols will speak to the next highest vote recipient to see if he would be willing to fulfill the term of Dave Lennert. 

V. SUGGESTION BOX

There was a request for a monthly financial report.

VI. ADJOURNMENT

With a reminder of the “homework reading assignment” the meeting was adjourned following a closing prayer. Next meeting is 2/26/07.