Parish Council Minutes:
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Pastoral Council Meeting
January 18th Minutes
Present: Mike Keith, Mike Howe, Linda Trowbridge, Brenda Echterling, Ana Mendoza, Fr. Andy,
Salvador Nieves, Anne Patka, Nancy Flores and guest, Warren Patka.
Meeting started with a prayer.
Minutes from the December 20th 2011 Council Meeting were read. Mike Howe made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted and Linda seconded. Motion carried.
There was no Agenda for this meeting.
Old Business:
Fr. Andy reported that Fr. Fred (from St. Anthony’s) will have someone come over to look at the roof.
We are still looking for a Janitor or Maintenance person. Salvador has been raking and fixed the ground after an accident.
The social hall screen has been repaired.
The decision to purchase 2 Sharp LED TVs for the sanctuary is on hold.
New Business:
There will be Stations of the Cross every Friday in Lent. The Hispanic Community will be doing Stations in the gym while the Stations in English will be held in church. Both assemblies will come together for Benediction afterwards.
The bathroom urinal repairs have been done.
Reports were given from the following committees:
Faith Formation: There was an excellent Retreat for the Confirmation candidates at Angola. Students are required to attend 80 % of the time. Work is also sent home. There are 3 new volunteers; 2 helping Jorge and another Bilingual lady.
Youth: Melissa Didon and Troy More are challenging the teens to attend Youth Group and will be working with them.
Social Concerns: No report available.
Evangelization: During Lent on Sunday evenings, there will be a DVD series on “Catholicism” by Fr. Barron.
It was suggested that the folders in the pews for visitors be also available at Easter time and in the summer.
Another census will be taken in February after the “Catholics Come Home Campaign.”
Knights of Columbus: No report.
.
Sodality: There was no meeting. There will be wine tasting at February’s meeting. There were 4 cases of candles sold. The Bake Sale proceeds were $120. The Sodality also purchased a Kitchen Aid mixer for the kitchen.
Hispanic Community: There will be a special celebration in honor of St. Joseph on March 17th. There will be a 6:30 pm Spanish Mass with a potluck afterwards. There will be no Spanish Mass on Sunday.
There will be a Taco and Quesadias sale on Friday, January 27th starting at 10:00am. Call in orders will be available.
Worship/Liturgy: No report.
Stewardship: No report
Building & Grounds: No report
Other business/announcements:
The Young Adult Group (18-35) is planning on another trip to Chicago during the summer. It is open to
Everybody.
Linda made a motion to adjourn, Mike Howe seconded. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Patka
Secretary
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Pastoral Council Meeting
September 21st 2011 Minutes
Present: Mike Keith, Linda Trowbridge, Fr. Andy, John Romer, Jorge Nieves, Nancy Flores,
Anne Patka, Brenda Echterling,Georgetta Gunthorp and Warren Patka.
Meeting started with a prayer.
Minutes from the May 18th 2011 Council Meeting had previously been sent by email and summarized. John made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted and Linda seconded. Motion carried.
There was no Agenda for this meeting.
Old Business:
1. The parish coffee and donuts resumed during the summer months went well. It was an opportunity to
get people out of the church to socialize.
2. The Parish Carnival was a lot of work and it did not raise enough money. There was a lack of participation from parishioners and outsiders; maybe it was because of the extreme heat, too many food tents or because it was at the end of 4-H Fair. Further evaluation is needed. The leftover donated pop will be used
at Corn School.
3. Fr. Andy reported the electrical problem with the Sanctuary lights have been resolved.
New Business:
(No agenda-see Other business/announcements)
Reports were given from the following committees:
Faith Formation: Registration for classes has been slow. Currently there are 105 enrolled students and anticipate up to 50 more attending. There are 19 teachers and assistants but more are needed.
Youth: Jorge is trying on getting this program back on its feet. There are 39 students but only 2 students showed up for class. The program will be working on Christian Ethical Dilemmas. There might be a chicken
fundraiser dinner in the future.
Social Concerns: There have been no requests for assistance of any kind. Georgetta recently gave a bag of groceries to a widow. There are no committee members as yet and no plants for an actual Food Pantry.
Evangelization: The committee has met twice during the summer. Committee watched Eucharistic DVD and is talking about establishing more Eucharistic Adoration in the parish. They are also excited about new Diocesan initiative about “Catholics Come Home”; more information will be available later. Fr. Andy would
also like committee to help with new Mass translations going into effect this Advent.
Knights of Columbus: There will be the annual Turkey Bingo on November 18th. Knights will be starting earlier to get applications for Senior scholarships; previously, there has been poor response. The Don Helmkamp family also made donation to this scholarship fund. Warren will be working with Fr. Andy on some talks to be offered to the men of the parish starting in Advent.
Sodality: The Sodality recently elected officers, they are: President- Nancy Flores, Vice-President-Georgetta Gunthorp, Secretary-Marilyn Morton and Irene Romer as Treasurer. The Sodality has provided refreshments for the Blood Drive, Funeral meals and Baskets for the Carnival.
Hispanic Community: Preparations are being made for Corn School booth. The community has pledged $4,000.00 from this fundraiser to be made towards roof repairs. Plans are also underway for the 40 days of rosary before the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, starting on October 28th.
Worship/Liturgy: Dave has resigned from playing at Saturday Masses. It was suggested that we advertise for this position.
Stewardship: No report
Building & Grounds: There is need of repairs on the roof, the social hall has several water leaks. Fr. Andy is waiting for estimates and would like to get it done before winter. $12,000.00 has been budgeted for this. Later, church roof repairs will be looked at as well. It was also reported that the water does not heat in the kitchen.
Other business/announcements:
Fr. Andy reported that Don Pomperoy now works as the parish bookkeeper about once a month. He also did the budget for the year. Anna Munoz and Marilyn Morton also help at the church office.
There are new locks on the building.
There is a suggestion to look into purchasing a projector and screen for the sanctuary. It could be used in presentations or for congregational singing.
John made a motion to adjourn, Georgetta seconded. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Patka
Secretary
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Pastoral Council Meeting
January 19, 2011 Minutes
Present: Mike Keith, Mike Howe, Linda Trowbridge, Fr. Andy, John Romer, Christine Thompson,
Anne Patka, Ana Mendoza, Kathleen Baker, Salvador Nieves, Heather Richardson and Rachel Stroop
Meeting started with a prayer.
Minutes from the December 15th, 2010 Council Meeting had previously been sent by email to members. Mike Keith made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted and Linda seconded. Motion carried.
Old Business:
1. John Romer reported survey is ready and will be attached to income statement. Any surveys not picked up will be mailed. Deadline for returning surveys is April 1st.
2. Update on name change for Social Concerns committee is tabled.
3. Rachel Stroop presented an overall report on St. Joseph Preschool, which included brief history, ccurrent Board Members, details on children served, curriculum, fundraising events and expenses. Rachel also told council members of the positive feedback from local Kindergarten teachers on pupils who had attended our preschool. Questions and discussion followed on various topics. Mike Keith made a motion to ask the Preschool Board to further define religious scope/aspect in their mission statement. Mike Howe seconded. Motion carried. It was also suggested that an additional question be put the survey. It would ask “If tuition assistance would be available to our Parish members, would you be interested in sending your preschool child to St. Joseph Preschool ?”
4. John Fisher was not present; financial updates tabled.
5. Ron’s Lock & Keys have changed rectory door locks and the gym door is fixed. Ralph Kehr is also looking at a water heater. Other plumbing problems have been tabled.
New Business:
- Bishop Rhoades will be coming to our parish on May 28th. A reception will be planned after the 5PM Mass. The Bishop will also come on Monday, December 12th for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Reports were given from the following committees:
Faith Formation: No report.
Youth: The pancake breakfast fundraiser raised $300. There will be a meeting on January 26th to talk about future activities. The group will also be receiving a $100 from the Youth for Christ Bowlathon.
Social Concerns: No report
Evangelization: The committee is continuing to look at evening prayers during Lent.
Knights of Columbus: There will be a Fish Fry in Lent on Friday, April 8th from 4:30pm-7:00pm. The next Blood Drive will be on April 12th from 11:00am-5:00pm. Anyone interested in applying for scholarship should contact Mike Patka.
Sodality: There will be a 7:00 pm meeting on February 3rd
Hispanic Community: No report.
Worship/Liturgy: No report.
Stewardship: No report.
Building & Grounds: No report.
Other business/announcements:
Fr. Andy reported he’s meeting with Diocesan representatives on Thursday.
Ralph Kehr is also looking at a water heater. Other plumbing problems have been tabled.
Christine suggested that various heads of committees who use the kitchen meet to discuss several issues, including ownership of specific supplies, breakage, inventory, labeling, etc.
January/February Calendar was reviewed.
Next Parish Council will be on February 16th, 2011 at 7:00 PM.
Mike Howe made a motion to adjourn, John Romer seconded. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Patka
Secretary
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St. Joseph Catholic Church
Pastoral Council Meeting
February 16, 2011 Minutes
Present: Mike Keith, Mike Howe, Linda Trowbridge, Fr. Andy, John Romer, Christine Thompson,
Anne Patka, Ana Mendoza, Salvador Nieves, Cheryl Mensick, Dave Radle, Brenda Echterling and Warren Patka
Meeting started with a prayer.
Minutes from the January19th, 2011 Council Meeting had previously been sent by email to members. Correction
was made to include Heather Richardson as present to the minutes. Dave made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted and corrected and Linda seconded. Motion carried.
Debra Pontecorvo from the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service gave a short presentation on the Family Nutrition Program that is available to groups in LaGrange County. The program consists of 6 sessions and there is no charge. Anyone interested in having their group learn about it should call the Purdue Office for more information.
Old Business:
1. Fr. Andy shared some of the answers that were provided from the surveys already submitted. The Hispanic
survey has not been put out yet. Discussion followed about Surveys not picked and what do we do (or how do we proceed) if we do not a good response.
2. Update on name change for Social Concerns committee is tabled.
3. The Finance Committee is not part of the Parish Council. Previously, Jack Prendergast would report to
Council. Theresa Shiffli is currently doing the bookkeeping at the parish office. Efforts are being made to comply with diocesan computer programs in different areas of parish record keeping
New Business:
1. Representatives from the Hispanic Community, Sodality, Knights of Columbus and Youth Group met to evaluate and determine what are some of the things used and needed in the kitchen. Tentatively, a Carnival has been scheduled for June 18th as a fundraiser to purchase needed kitchen items. More information later.
2. Ash Wednesday- There will be Mass and distribution of ashes at 7:00 AM, Prayer Service and distribution of ashes at 3:30 PM and at 6:00 PM there will be a bilingual Mass with distribution of ashes.
Reports were given from the following committees:
Faith Formation: Students are getting ready for Communion. Brenda also reported possible changes in current books being used for Faith Formation Classes.
Youth: The group will be sponsoring a dinner as a fundraiser on April 1st. There will also be a raffle.
Social Concerns: No report
Evangelization: The committee will host evening prayers during Lent on Wednesdays. Fr. Andy will work out a schedule for Stations of the Cross.
Knights of Columbus: There will be a Fish Fry in Lent on Friday, April 8th from 5:00-7:00PM. The next Blood Drive will be on April 12th. The Color Guard will be at Holy Thursday Mass, First Communion and for Bishop Rhoade’s visit on May 28th.
Sodality: Next meeting will be on March 3rd.
Hispanic Community: There will be no “Living Stations” this year. It was reported that a profit of $800.00 was made in the recent taco fundraiser.
Worship/Liturgy: The new translations in the Mass will not begin until the first Sunday of Advent. Fr. Andy may offer workshop to learn about recent changes.
Stewardship: Cheryl wanted to know if there is anything the Council members wanted her to do with this position.
Building & Grounds: No report.
Preschool: Rachel Stroop wants to start attending Council meetings.
Other business/announcements:
February/March calendar was reviewed
There will be no Parish Council Meeting on March 16th.
Mike Howe made a motion to adjourn, Anna seconded. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Patka
Secretary
