President of Parish Council: Kirk Broom (phone) 832-567-7654
ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC CHURCH
MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011
The meeting was called to order at 7:20 p.m. by Kirk Broom, and Fr. Vincent opened with a prayer. Those present: Fr. Vincent, Kirk Broom, Susan Hage, Victoria Loggins, Donna Perry, Elisa Freeman, Laurie Vitek, Debra White, and Beverly Farkus. Donna Galbiati and Joe Freeman were present as interested parishioners.
Recognition: Kirk recognized the Knights of Columbus for their work to help develop the lower property, and Tom O’Bryant for his hard work with the Parish finances. Laurie recognized Paul Sherman for his assistance making sure the tables are set up for the SOR program.
The minutes for the Parish Council meeting on October 27, 2011, were approved.
Stewardship: Elisa said they have not had meetings in the past few months but do have one scheduled for early December.
Business Office Update: Debra reported that they are still working on getting an electronic lock for the back door of the Parish Hall.
School of Religion: Laurie reported that things are not good with SOR on Wednesday nights. She said she wanted to just lay it out for the Parish Council so they are up-to-date. There are many new students; the building does not look promising; the teachers are just plugging along but the working conditions are awful with the groups. The teachers are frustrated. Seven 14 yr olds were brought to Laurie’s office the previous evening because they were refusing to speak to the teacher, would not answer any questions at all. Laurie had a discussion with them and explained that if they did not wish to participate or be in SOR (confirmation class) they were certainly not welcome. They were told to think about it hopefully come back to class on November 30 in a cooperative manner. Laurie is spending most of her time trouble shooting. She doesn’t see things improving. She needs to make a plan for the future – are there any ideas?
Kirk said what he sees are instructional issues and wonders if it would help for his wife to speak to the catechists to give them some ways to better reach these students. He will check with his wife.
Elisa suggested revisiting the idea of holding SOR classes more than 1 night a week.
Deacon suggested the discussion be tabled for another time. He also said the “collar” works and feels it is important and helpful for the priests to visit the classes. Fr. Vincent said he would visit that class from time to time.
Donna suggested a mandatory parent meeting in early January. Laurie saw two (2) immediate issues: 1) very bad working conditions leading to burnout; and 2) a big problem with parent apathy.
Susan suggested bringing more parents into the classroom. Require parents to visit each child’s classroom twice a year. They can help with discipline and with attendance.
Kirk wanted Laurie, and all members, to know that we are moving forward with the building – getting very close. They are waiting for an appointment to sit down with the Archbishop to discuss our current debt as well as contributions to our school. Kirk feels it needs to be a multi-purpose building with adoration and a chapel, an Attic, a library and religious articles section. And it needs to have the ability to expand late on.
Elisa asked how we can build this building when we can’t even support our church.
Deacon feels we need to assess the amount of information going from the Building Committee to the parish members.
Liturgy: Deacon mentioned to Fr. Vincent that it was necessary to have a Liturgy Committee meeting in January to prepare for the Easter holy season.
Ministries:
Alzheimers: Donna said the Alzheimers Ministry is growing and doing well. She now has 5 families attending regularly. She has a speaker coming to the December 13th meeting and everyone is invited to attend. The speaker is Kevin Tharpe, an elder care attorney, who will speak about protecting one’s assets, nursing home matters, and answer questions. This is important for everyone but especially for those expecting to care for their parents as they become unable to care for themselves.
Adoration: Donna said she has a goal: to have adoration open from Wednesday at 8:00 pm continuously through Saturday at 10:00 am every week. This would accommodate the Hispanic and others who are working during the day. They are going to get the wrought iron gates closed at the top so that people in adoration in the little chapel cannot get into the sanctuary.
Respect Life: Susan said they may change their Wednesday meeting night. She has a student who will be starting a Respect Life group at Truett McConnell College.
Women’s Guild: They will be holding a Bake Sale and Craft sale after the masses on Nov. 19-20. The next meeting will be held in the trailers on Saturday, December 10th.
Knights of Columbus: Joe Freeman said the Knights will be helping Chuck Johnstone receive and check the Thanksgiving Boxes on the 18th and 19th of December; they will be helping with the Special Olympics on Friday, December 2nd; and on December 11 they will be holding a Pancake Breakfast after the masses. They also collected 2 boxes of warm coats to donate to the needy of White County. And they purchased the paint for repainting the statue and the fountain.
Miscellaneous: Donna Perry showed carved wooden banks that she was able to get donated from the builder – she has secured over 300 of them. She will hand them out to each parish family for them put in loose change and at the end of the year they are to be returned. This is an effort to raise money for the Building Fund. Other churches have raised over $40,000 using these banks. She also suggested other fund-raisers such as having an open air concert like they have at Chastain Park in Atlanta and awarding prizes for the decorated tables; having the Yonah Brass Band play at the Church; having a family oriented comedian come for New Year’s Eve.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm and Fr. closed with a prayer. There will be no parish council meeting in December because of the holidays.
Respectfully submitted,
BEVERLY E. FARKUS
/bf
cc: All Parish Council members and Web Site
THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2012.
