St. Luke Catholic Church at 1240 Nachreiner Avenue, Plain, WI 53577 US - Joint Pastoral Council Minutes

St. John’s and St. Luke’s Catholic Churches

Joint Pastoral Council Meeting

St. John’s Parish Center

September 17, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.

Present:                  Diane Baryenbruch, Steve Emerson, Jeff Ganser, Barb Louis, Nancy Maxwell, Gary Nachreiner, Eric Ruhland, Ann Ryan, Deb Tafs, Uwe Wiechering.       Excused:  Gwen Kraemer, Mike Spude

Also Present:        Kathy Dwyer, Cindy Haag, Diane Kraemer, Jane Peckham, Angie Pulvermacher, Fr. Mike Resop,  Sr. Lynne Marie Simonich

1.    Diane Baryenbruch opened the joint meeting of St. John’s and St. Luke’s Pastoral Councils at 8:10 p.m. on Thursday,                 September 17, 2009 in St. John’s Parish Center.  Fr. Mike led the councils in a reflection of a prayer by Bishop Ken Untener. 

2.    By consensus, the minutes of the August 20, 2009 meeting were approved as presented.  

3.         Old Business

·         Annual Catholic Appeal Update.  There was no additional information.

·         Sr. Lynne Marie’s 40^th Anniversary Celebration.  The celebration of Sr. Lynne Marie’s 40 years as a Franciscan Sister is scheduled for Sunday, October 11 at both Sunday Masses followed by fellowship.

4.    Commission Joint Issues                          

·         Liturgy:  The commission reviewed the marriage guidelines and approved several changes.  They reviewed Bishop       Morlino’s guidelines regarding communion during the cold/flu season and discussed precautions to use during Mass.  The Advent planning meeting is scheduled for October 1.  

·         Education: 

o                      Adult Education:   Two couples attended the Baptism Prep class on September 14.  The next class is scheduled for November 2 at St. John’s.  The first session of RCIA will be held Sunday, September 27, after the 10:00 Mass at       St. Luke’s.  Six people are interested in the process.  Sr. Lynne Marie sent a note home to parents of school children to ascertain interest in a “Mom’s Group” which would meet on Thursday mornings after the 8:30 a.m. children’s Masses at both St. John’s and St. Luke’s.  St. John’s will host a Soup and Soul Food evening on Tuesday, October 20, starting with the 5:15 PM Mass, followed by soup and a presentation by Lyn Zahorik entitled “Laugh 3 Times and Call Me in the Morning.”

o                      Schools:  Masses and Word Services are running smoothly at both schools.  Both schools will participated in a  Holy Hour of Adoration each month to promote Catholic identity.  The students were given the option of watching a video of President Obama’s address to school children, which was followed by a discussion of the gospel values of working hard and serving others.  The Area 1 principals will meet at St. Luke’s on September 18.  Both schools will attend a concert presented by Jim Cosgrove, a.k.a. Stinky Feet on September 21.  There will be a late start on September 25 for River Valley’s homecoming.  The students will visit the exhibits at the public school.  ITBS testing is scheduled for October 5 – 16.  Grandparents’ Day is scheduled for Friday, October 9 at St. John and Friday, October 16 at St. Luke.

o                      Religious Education:  Approximately 115 people attended the family night with musician/songwriter Aaron Thompson on September 9.  St. John’s first class was held September 16 and St. Luke’s first class will be September 23.  Youth Ministry for grades 6, 7, & 8 will be held September 19, starting with the 4:30 Mass at St. Luke to be followed by a scavenger hunt.  Catechetical Sunday is scheduled for September 20.  “Saints Fair” projects will be on display Saturday and Sunday, October 31/November 1 at both parishes.  Religious Education and sacramental fees for non-parishioners were raised by $10.00.

·         Finance:  The joint Finance Council discussed the budgeting process and charts of accounts for the two parishes and are finding many areas of similarity.  The contribution schedules for both parishes are being reviewed with an effort to find a common system.  At this time, St. John’s schedule is based on a percent of income, while St. Luke’s schedule is based on a flat-dollar amount.  The Diocesan recommended pledge system is also being studied.  A task force was formed and parishes that are using that system will be contacted to find the positives and negatives.  How and how often to distribute contribution envelopes is also being explored.  The council reviewed the marriage guidelines and approved the suggested monetary changes. 

·         Buildings & Grounds:         There were no joint issues to discuss.

·         Parish Life/Stewardship:     There were no joint issues to discuss.

5.    New Business: 

·         Distribution of Bulletin Flyers:  In order to keep everyone informed, no matter which Mass they attend, to promote the idea of community, and to fully utilize the single joint bulletin, it was agreed to place all flyers from both parishes in all bulletins. 

·         Meal Program at Catholic Multi-Cultural Center:  Queen of Peace Parish in Madison sent a thank you note for the monetary donations made to the Catholic Multi-Cultural Center and has asked for help from other parishes to serve a meal each day at the center.  This would entail a commitment of one day a month for 6 – 10 volunteers.  More information is needed.  This will be on the October agenda.

·         Fair Trade Coffee:  Fair-trade coffee comes directly from farmers in 3^rd world countries, thus ensuring the farmers receive a higher price for their product.   Fr. Mike has ordered some and it will be tried at the school and at fellowship.  There will be information available if individuals would want to order also.

6.    Open Agenda: 

·         Discussion Follow-up:  Fr. Mike distributed a summary of the discussion the pastoral council held on the article 10 Signs of a Vibrant Parish, and asked everyone to review and pray about it in anticipation of further discussion.

7.    Next Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for October 15, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s church hall.  The commissions

will meet earlier in the evening.  Liturgy Commission will not meet due to the Advent Planning Meeting on October 1.  

8.    Adjournment.  Gary Nachreiner moved to adjourn the meeting.  Deb Tafs seconded.  The motion carried at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Jane Peckham                       
 The pastoral councils have not yet approved these minutes.

St. Luke Pastoral Council Meeting

Present:  Jeff Ganser, Ann Ryan, Eric Ruhland, Deb Tafs   Excused:  Gwen Kraemer, Mike Spude

Others Present:  Fr. Mike, Sr. Lynne Marie, Kathy Dwyer, Diane Kraemer, Cindy Haag, Angie Pulvermacher

Ann Ryan, Vice-president opened the meeting.  Motion to approve minutes from August 20, 2009 by Jeff Ganser, second by Deb Tafs.  Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:  No old business to discuss.

COMMISSION REPORTS:

Education:  Discussed fall activities, swimming, Family Night, and fall field trips.  The first meeting was held for the reading program that the K-3 teachers will be participating in.  Home & School will hold a Spaghetti Dinner on October 24 with a 50/50 raffle.  Reviewed self-study teams and lunch accounts.  A donation in memory of Bertha Rieder was received from the family.  This money will go to the purchase of a SMART board system for the school.  Commission continued the discussion of making a promo video about the school for new families.  The fall sale will begin this next week.  The Homecoming float theme will be based on the TV show “Green Acres”.

Liturgy:  A microphone for the piano has been purchased.

Parish Life & Stewardship:  A committee will be formed to help with the fellowship for Sr. Lynne Marie’s 40^th Anniversary celebration.

Buildings & Grounds:  Tuck-pointing on the rectory was done by Greg Burke, will contact someone to do the finish caulking.  The roof on Sr. Helen’s garage will be shingled over the weekend with labor being donated by parishioners.  Jason Schluter will take care of getting the shingles and Shannon Shelton-Ganser will provide a lunch for the workers. Discussion was held about the old beer pavilion.  Members felt that even though the building has historical significance since it was on the church grounds during the cyclone, that the cost of the repairing it may be too great.  Finance Council also wondered about the liability issues with trying to restore the building.  Members will continue to discuss options.   

Cemetery:  Matt Ehrenberg from Stafford Funeral Home is leaving to return to his home area, and Josh Clary from Richland Center will be working with Tom Stafford now.

Finance:  Reviewed the corporate donation account for new members.  The August finances are $1,400 ahead of  last year at this time.  The Offertory collection is up from last year also.  Discussed the garage shingling project and the beer pavilion.  A reminder will be put in the bulletin periodically about the special collection envelopes and when they are due.

NEW BUSINESS:  Nothing to report.

OPEN AGENDA:  Nothing to report.

Next meeting will be on September 17, 2009 at St. John’s.  Motion to adjourn by Eric Ruhland, second by Jeff Ganser.

Respectfully submitted, Kathy Dwyer, Parish Secretary               The Pastoral Council has not yet approved these minutes.         .

St. John’s Pastoral Council Meeting – September 17, 2009

Present:              Diane Baryenbruch, Steve Emerson, Barb Louis, Nancy Maxwell, Gary Nachreiner, Uwe Wiechering  

Also present:    Karen Marklein, Jane Peckham, Angie Pulvermacher, Fr. Mike Resop, Sr. Lynne Marie Simonich

        1.    Diane opened the meeting at 9:10 p.m.  By consensus the minutes of the August 20, 2009 meeting were approved as             presented.

2.    Old Business

·   Funeral Dinners.  A review of the circles to possibly include men will be on the October agenda.

3.        Commission Reports

·         Liturgy Commission:  There was nothing further to report.

·         Education Commission:  The commission discussed the H1N1 virus.  There are no afternoon pre-school classes this year.  Other possibilities are being explored for next year.

·         Finance Commission:

                Nancy distributed the Report to Pastoral Council.  Support and Capital Improvement envelopes were under budget by                 $8,512.50 as of August 31, 2009.  She reviewed variances from the budget in excess of $500.00. The Home & School     Association paid $25,000 or half of its 2009-2010 assessment to the general operating account.  The rest will be paid later in the year.  Nancy distributed an analysis of the potential income if St. John’s were to adopt St. Luke’s flat-dollar              contribution schedule.  In some areas there was little anticipated difference; in others there was a large negative                difference.  The finance council will continue to study the whole area of church support.

·         Buildings & Grounds Commission:  The roof of the cemetery building was re-shingled with everything donated.  The aggregate in the front entryway of the church was re-sealed, and there was re-caulking around the church.  The floor-cleaning machine was fixed.

·         Parish Life/Stewardship Commission:  Hospitality is set for this weekend, and Steve asked if hospitality volunteers should order cheese and sausage trays or make them themselves.  The consensus was to leave it to the individuals involved.  Work has begun on Sr. Lynne Marie’s 40^th Anniversary reception.

4.     New Business. 

·         Annual Time/Talent Update.  Jane distributed an up-to-date Time/Talent list for 2009-10.

        5.    Open Agenda.

·         Window Washing.   Fr. Mike would like the parish center windows washed before the fall dinner.

·         More Involvement.  There was a lengthy discussion on how to get more people involved in parish activities.  Suggestions included individual contact, better communication and information, and a more welcoming milieu.

6.    The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2009 at St. Luke’s church hall at approximately 9:15 p.m. 

7.    By consensus the meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Jane Peckham.                               The Pastoral Council has not yet approved these minutes.         .