Members Present:

Father Jack Filippine, Kevin McMackin, Milt Partridge, Fran Geier, Craig Kowalski, Peg Mersch, Tim Barry, Ed Holzschuh, Bonnie Mack, Jenny Reker-Murphy, Joe Staneck, Tom Bove, Don Schaeper, Kathy Rothschild.

Others present:

Dan and Teresa Besl, Dave Lennert

Opening:

Peg Mersch led the members in prayer and reflection.

Minutes:

The minutes of September 24, 2001 were introduced by Kevin McMackin and approved without amendment.

Update on Parish Twinning:

Dan and Teresa Besl presented an overview of a recent visit to Holy Trinity Parish in Harlan, KY. Holy Trinity is one of 3 Catholic parishes in a county that where less than 1% of the population is Catholic. The Parish is led by Brother Mark Ligett. The parish is one that supports a church and school where 78 children receive education through the efforts of 4 religious sisters among others. The parish and its members frequently play a distinct social service role in a very economically challenged county that offers few social programs. The annual budget for expense far exceeds the income of the parish.

Discussion focused on the possible manner in which St. Vivian Parish could play a twinning role with Holy Trinity. Assistance of a temporal or spiritual nature discussed included direct financial assistance, school supplies, prayer, food, holiday gifts or the direct involvement of personnel to directly assist Holy Trinity. Such activities would have to occur either in augmentation to current and prospective local parish obligations or dilute such.

Brother Ligett plans to visit St. Vivian Parish on Sunday, January 27, 2002. The concept of a discussion group that would include various parish leaders and persons interested in participating in exploring ideas was proposed. Tim Barry offered to seek parishioners who might have interest in participation.

AMOS Project:

Dave Lennert announced that initial steps had been taken to enroll St. Vivian into the AMOS project including the signing of the AMOS covenant. Dave and Sue Lennert will be co-chairing the congregation core team and will receive orientation and training in the coordination of the program at the parish level. Assembly of the core team, consisting of 10 members is an initial objective and several parishioners have shown interest to date. Other steps include assembly and training of specific task forces. Robyn Bancroft of the AMOS and others of the Amos project organization will provide assistance. A tentative timetable throughout 2002 for various stages in the process was outlined by Dave.

Business Office:

Kathy Rothschild presented a Stewardship 01-02 update. Of the $754,000 goal, pledges of $640,000 have been received to date. Assuming $25,000 in non-pledged collection support, 88.2% of the goal has been reached. The office awaits further pledges including commitment from parish school families who have yet to declare their intentions.

Kathy also circulated a mock up of the new, parish bulletin cover. This is in progress and should be put into use shortly with an updated list of parish leaders. Kathy also mentioned the delay in the parish directory due to the failure of the directory photography company to keep its publishing commitments.

House Keeping Items:

A schedule for providers of the opening prayer and members to attend the Pastoral Parish Council agenda meetings (normally held the second Monday of the month) was circulated for volunteers. A final schedule will be distributed. For the sake of the new members, it was mentioned that opening prayer traditionally consisted of a reading from the previous Sunday liturgy with added reflection.

Pastoral Parish Council Liaisons:

Kathy Rothschild distributed the past year's flow chart indicating member liaison relationships with various parish groups. The list was updated with current members and a new chart will be distributed. Each member should serve as a pathway for communication between the Pastoral Parish Council and the parish organization to assess needs and concerns of each group and to direct information from Pastoral Parish Council to these organizations. It is expected that where the liaison roles have changed this year, a contact call to the leader of the organization would be made to establish the appropriate communication channel.

Goals:

Volunteerism - Jenny Reker-Murphy and Tim Barry have discussed the goal of increasing volunteerism throughout the parish. Jenny summarized some prospective ideas including a survey in the weekly bulletin ascertaining interests and reasons why people do or do not volunteer, making opportunities more obvious though pulpit announcements, reminder calls via a phone tree, having skits before or after masses, possibly using enthusiastic parish youth. Tim suggested as an outcome measure that three new volunteer opportunities be determined and publicized by the end of the parish fiscal year. Tim can be reached by email: timothy.barry@agedwards.com.

Communication - will be the focus of next months meeting

Suggestion Box:

There were no written suggestions this month. Mention was made of verbal concern over the communion procession order in the main part of the church. Pastoral Parish Council will pursue this should the issue be brought forth as a written suggestion.

Open discussion / walk-ons: none

Closing Prayer:

The meeting was concluded with a closing prayer.

Next Meeting: Monday December 3, 2001. The meeting is later than usual to avoid conflict with the Parish Mission.