St. Joseph Parish Council Meeting
Attending: Fr. David McGuinness, Jim Altmiller, Louise Benjamin, June Compton, Susan Gearhart, Pete Konenkamp, Dana Moody, Rosemary Risse, Todd Story, Margarita Tejeda
Not in attendance: Marty Ledenham, Chet Malanoski, Carolyn McFall
Minutes of January 16, 2005, meeting approved.
Father McGuinness opened the meeting with a prayer. Guests attending the Council meeting presented their concerns over St. Joseph’s school tuition, and after discussion, the Council unanimously decided that the Archdiocesan Guidelines, Catholic Tuition and Tuition Assistance, must be followed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
FINANCE: No formal report, but it was noted that the monthly “green” contribution envelopes for March enable parishioners to direct their contribution to either religious education or the building fund.
MAINTENCENCE: Todd reported trees have been trimmed and the parish grounds have been cleaned up. The reconstruction of the wall behind the church is still proceeding slowly.
STEWARDSHIP: No report
COMMUNICATIONS: Pete reported the need for a parish registration form to be printed, either in the bulletin or as a card to be placed in the pews. The Council asked the communications committee to explore the card form. Pete also noted that the committee is looking into developing a parish refrigerator magnet that would include Mass times, phone numbers and WebSite information.
LITURGY: No report
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SEARCH COMMITTEE: Pete announced that the search committee has narrowed its candidate list. The committee will be meeting over the next few weeks, with the decision on the principal being made in March. Father read a letter from the Dominican Sisters that stated the sisters have already made their staffing decisions for next year, but that they will keep us in mind for the future.
SITE COMMITTEE: No report but Chet sent a brief report to council members after the meeting, which outlined several potential sites should the parish decide to relocate
OLD BUSINESS:
NURSERY: Todd reported that the nursery committee will meet February 15.
SAFETY/SECURITY ISSUES: Pete reported that the intercom system is working and that the camera by the front door will be adjusted. CPR training for ushers and others wishing to learn is being investigated.
HOUSING SEARCH: Nothing new to report. The search continues.
STEPHEN’S MINISTRY: Nothing new to report
SECOND SUNDAY SOCIALS: Dana reported that this weekend’s socials hosted by the Knights of Columbus went well.
SISTERS’ APPRECIATION PROJECT: Dana stated that an event is being planned for May.
RCIA RECEPTION: The date for the reception will be changed from Holy Thursday and after Holy Saturday services was suggested. This proposal is being investigated.
NEW BUSINESS:
NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Nominations for Parish Council will be gathered during March. Dana will chair the committee. Other members are Jim, Sue, and Louise.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: The St. Patrick’s Day party will be held in the Parish Hall on Saturday, March 19th. Door prize donors are needed. Veronica will be returning from maternity leave shortly. The parish is in need of a full-time youth director. The EWTN pilgrimage is February 16 and 17. Todd will look into developing an appropriate ecumenical gesture from the parish to the First Baptist church on celebrating its 175th anniversary.
The Council closed the meeting with a prayer.
The next meeting will be moved up one week to Sunday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m. because the usual second Sunday meeting day falls during spring break.