Holy Cross Church

Parish Council Meeting Minutes

August 12, 2008

 

Present:  Father Patrick Kingery, Dale Bennett, Cass Cattropa, Dave Culver, Theresa O’Donnell, Carol Kissel, Adrian Law, Kathy Geroski, Larry Grummer-Strawn, Sam Beale, Kathy Hoffman.

 

Absent: Jim Moleta

 

Meeting came to order at 7:00pm and opened with a prayer, the Our Father.

 

New members were welcomed and a brief explanation of duties was offered by Fr. Kingery.  New members are Dave Culver, Carol Kissel, Kathy Hoffman and Larry Grummer-Strawn. 

 

Election of officers for the Council took place.  The Chair of the Council should have one year of service on the Council as a prerequisite for consideration.  Other officers have no requirements other than willingness to serve.  Kathy Geroski was re-elected as Chair.  Adrian Law was nominated and elected as Vice-Chair.  Kathy Hoffman was elected Secretary.

 

May meeting minutes were amended to report that the Finance Council has allotted a total of $12,000 for charitable contributions to causes that are not budgeted with a line item.  Individual ministries/causes may not receive more than $2500 in a fiscal year.  Larry mentioned that ministries of Holy Cross should receive preference over outside ministries.  Kathy Geroski will update and redistribute the minutes.

 

May minutes were approved, with the exception of the previously mentioned amendment.  Posting on the website must take place with the assistance of Jim Miles, the webmaster.  Approved minutes need to be submitted to Jim.

 

Old Business:  None

 

New Business: 

 

  1. Checked meeting dates for the year and a list of contact information for the Council.  The April 1 meeting was changed from April 1 to April 14.  Kathy Geroski will revise the contact list to include changes made at this meeting and re-distribute.
  2. The main purpose of the Parish Council is to act as a liaison between Fr. Patrick and the ministries of Holy Cross.  Each month, a designated member of the Parish Council should make contact with the assigned ministry leader list and request information to be conferred at the next PC meeting to Fr. Kingery for consideration.  Assignments are as follows:
    1. Worship and Spiritual Growth:  Larry and Dale
    2. Education:  Theresa and Carol
    3. Parish Life:  Sam and Jim
    4. Hispanic Ministry:  (not assigned yet)
    5. Human Concerns:  Dave
    6. Stewardship:  Adrian and Kathy H.

 

  1. Some discussion of past ministry fairs took place.  Fr. Kingery said that the entire month of October would be dedicated to Stewardship Renewal at Holy Cross.  There have been issues with effectiveness and follow up, however no report was available for participation in the fairs of the last two years.  Father said that any plan would be considered at this point.  Kathy Hoffman asked if there is a Stewardship Committee in place, and it was stated that, at present, Adrian Law is the only person assigned as such.
  2. There has been an invitation extended to members of the Hispanic Community to sit on the Parish Council by the pastor, but as of this meeting, the position is still open.
  3.  Bob Spidel gave a presentation on “Treats for the Troops” as a potential great opportunity for a parish wide project.  Bob currently meets with several veterans each month and prepares goods for shipping to US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.  He would like to see this extended as a parish project, and he is willing to lead the effort.  He asked that a query could take place over several weeks to inquire as to family members stationed abroad from within our own parish family first.  If not enough soldiers are found from within the Holy Cross Parish, then he will find others.  Bob distributed an outline of the scope of the CARE program and a list of potential content items for the CARE packages.  Included in this list should be cards from our students in the school of religion and prayers from the Holy Cross community.  This concept was approved as a new ministry by the Parish Council, and will begin immediately by preparing a purpose statement for Cass and the parish directory.  Bob would like to stage the first collection for September.
  4. Cass reminded all that bulletin inserts must be scheduled through Jean Robichaux in the office.
  5. Emails/concerns that Kathy Geroski received as Chair were shared with Father.
    1. Reinstitution of confessions before masses
    2. SVdP will receive a $2500 gift from the outreach line item  discussed earlier.  SVdP also has a second collection, and has received financial gifts from St. Martin de Porres.  SVdP is hard pressed to meet all the needs presented by those they try to serve, especially with recent rises in food costs and other strains.  This is true of most all the SVdP councils.  It was clarified that SVdP is not strictly a ministry of Holy Cross, or of any parish due to the Conference rules.  It is, however, supported by Holy Cross parish financially and with time and talent of our parishioners.  Kathy Geroski will make contact with SVdP to share news of the award.
    3. Inquiry was made but not completely answered as to the financial awards made in the previous fiscal year. 
  6. Theresa said Adult Education will start on September 14.  There will especially be a need for food donations, ushers and hosts for a special appearance by Tom Key on November 14.  Tickets will be required for this event, but there is no charge for the tickets.  Tom’s presentation will round out a series on the Book of Revelation.

 

The meeting was closed with a prayer, the Hail Mary.

 

Respectfully submitted by Kathy Hoffman