Members Present:

Fran Vanarsdall-Schwartz, Teresa Besl, Paul Hess, Dave Nichols, John Hadden, Cindy Engelhardt, Star Vondrell, Amy Hagedorn, Kathy Rothschild, Fr. Paul Gebhardt, Vivian Wagner

I. Fr. Paul opened with prayer

II. Minutes

Minutes from the previous meeting were approved with corrections to spelling and wording on motion by Teresa Besl, second by Amy Hagedorn.

III. Constitution/By-Laws

John checked with the Education Commission regarding membership requirements in Article 5, Section 2 requiring members to be Catholic. This requirement is the same for both Education Commission and PPC. Paul Hess suggested the substitution of the word "they" in place of He/She in Article V, Sec. 2. Pastor will be capitalized when used in place of a person's name in several locations. After further discussion of typographical changes to the layout, Paul Hess moved to approve the Constitution and By-laws as updated. Vivian Wagner seconded the motion. The motion was approved. Copies will be printed and made available at the rectory, at the back of church and on the Parish website.

IV. Deanery Meeting Report

Fr. Paul summarized the situation of the priest shortage as discussed at the recent Futures Meeting of the Deanery. School populations were also discussed in regards to how declining enrollments will be handled in the future. A demographic study is being done within the deanery to determine where the school populations reside. Copies of the study will be provided to all schools within the deanery. Booklets have been provided to each PPC member summarizing all of the areas covered at the meeting.

V. Stewardship Update

Kathy reported on the recent Stewardship campaign. Cards are being returned on a similar pace to previous years. The average pledge increase is 4%. Those cards not picked up at Mass have been mailed. There was discussion of the concern for the high number of school families who did not pick up their cards at Mass. Phone calls will be made in November to those whose cards have not been returned. Letters will be sent home to school families reminding them of their Stewardship obligation.

VI. What are you hearing?

The question was raised, "what are you hearing?" to get a feel for the pulse of the parish. Members shared what their experiences have been individually and it was the consensus of those present that the pulse of the parish will be more accurately taken when the survey is done after the first of the year.

VII. Liaison Update

Kathy has sent updated lists to all members. Dave posed the following question to be used when making contact with your group: "What can we do to help your group be more vibrant and connected to St. Vivian's? What's important to your group? What's going well? What needs improvement? Each PPC member has been assigned contacts to make prior to the November meeting.

VIII. Suggestion Box

There were no suggestions the box this month.

IX. Kathy's report

Matthew Kelly is scheduled for a one night appearance Jan. 20, 2005 and is "penciled in" for the November 2005 Parish Mission.

Kathy shared a letter from Deacon Larry regarding a survey for the Future's Study for Deacons. Questions centered around financial support of the education of parish candidates for the Permanent Deaconate program. The PPC members present agreed that financial support would be approved with a service commitment to the parish from the candidate.

X. Further business

John asked for volunteers to fill in open slots for agenda meetings and for opening prayer assignments for the regular meetings. His compiled list will be sent out to all members.

Meetings was adjourned at 8:55 and closed with the Our Father.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Ellen Smith

Recording Secretary