Members present:

Father Jack Filippine, Mike McMahon, Craig Kowalski, Ed Holzshuh, Fran Geier, John Hadden, Jay Broderick, Kathy Rothschild, Kevin McMackin, Linda Lennon, Tom Bove, Tim Barry, Peg Mersch, Bob Lemmink, Milt Partridge

Minutes of January 22:

A motion to accept the minutes was made by Tim Barry and seconded by Kevin McMackin. The minutes of the January 22 meeting were accepted without comment.

Youth Ministry:

Jodie Bender came to the meeting to report on youth activities in the parish. There has been a re-organization of the youth group to incorporate sixth graders. Most parishes with full time youth directors do include sixth graders. There are two programs for them each month, including service projects, community building projects, discussion, socials and prayer. There has been at least 90 junior high students at the sessions and as many as 120 on occasion.

High school youth ministry students meet every week. Since Jodi is part time youth director at Little Flower parish the meetings are a combination of students from both parishes. The meetings number from 15 to 43. There is a structured program with the students leading the discussion topics, etc. and ending with a social time. They have social outings once each month. They participate in the leadership conference among other projects and in May will travel to Harlan to see what role they might play in the twinning project. They will also participate in the Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis. Vacation bible school and sacramental preparation are other areas Jodie provides in the program. She plans to do a mailing to get a better idea as to what the particular age groups are looking for and feels the youth group is well supported by the parish.

Catholic Telegraph Update:

John Hadden led a discussion on the Archdiocesan Catholic Telegraph mandate. While the parish's subscription rate has gone up from 144 in 1994 to 211 at present, still only 20% of parishioners are subscribers, far short of the 50% subscription rate the Archdiocese is requiring of each parish by July 1. He has written a letter for Father Jack to send to parishioners and will write articles for the parish bulletin to make parishioners aware of the mandate. It was suggested that there also be an oral follow-up to the written effort and that a committee be developed for this effort. Milt Partridge, Kevin McMackin, Craig Kowalski and Mike MaMahon volunteered for the committee.

Parish Activities:

Linda Lennon reported that fifty-nine persons volunteered to give blood for the recent parish blood drive. Hoxworth would like the parish to make the drive an annual event Linda has been approached regarding publishing a parish cookbook as a money-making project. Upon hearing that a sponsoring group will be needed, Jodie Bender volunteered the youth group. The goal would be to have it ready by autumn, 2001.

Discernment Sunday:

Father Jack reported that 98 names have been submitted for parish council; 61 for education committee and 22 for festival chairperson. These persons will be contacted and invited to an information session on April 4 enabling them to make a decision as to whether or not they wish to be candidates for election.

Open Discussion:

Kathy Rothschild gave parish organizational charts to parish council members.

Suggestion Box:

Linda reported that $10 had been left in the box; a suggestion that the 4:30 Mass start at 4:30 and not be delayed by music practice; the St. Xavier honor roll was not published in the bulletin; and, fix doors in front of church. The later two items have been corrected.

A sign up sheet for first Saturday adoration is needed to make sure someone is present at all times.

There were also comments from a school parent concerning multiple school fund raising projects. This will be given to Kevin Vance.