Holy Cross Parish Council Minutes

October 21, 2009

 

Present:  Kris Chatfield, Kathy Hoffman, Donald Cirino, Jan Arias, Joan Ford, Carole Kissel, Pat Reiley Mercedes Arancibia, Donovan McGee, Larry Grummer-Strawn and Fr. Richard Tibbitts.  Not Present: Cass Catroppa, David Culver, Jim Miles.  Guests: MarKay Graybill, Christine Ogle, Ann Halron and Deacon Dick Suever.

 

The meeting was opened with a prayer.

 

·         Approval of Minutes – September minutes were sent and approved via email prior to the meeting.

 

·         Pastor’s Comments – Fr. Richard began by telling the Council that things are much improved with the Hispanic community.  People who had left the parish are returning, and those who were unhappy have left to join other parishes.  Mercedes echoed Father’s comments and stated that Fr. Javier is doing a wonderful job of uniting the community and healing past wounds.  Fr. Richard reminded everyone that there will be two liturgical workshops held in November for anyone in the parish who participates in a ministry involving the liturgy.  Both the English and Hispanic community will participate.  The workshops will be held on November 14th and 21st, with ministry participants choosing which weekend they will attend.  Father also announced that Jean Robicheaux had resigned her position as secretary and that we are actively looking for a replacement. 

 

·         Old Business –

 

·         Memorial Garden - Donovan updated everyone on the status of the Memorial Garden.  Currently, there is a moratorium on memorial gardens that was instituted by the Archdiocese in 2002.  Donovan has been working with Deacon Ray Eagen at the Archdiocese to obtain permission to move forward with our Memorial Garden.  The moratorium was put in place because the Archdiocese wanted to survey parishes about the issue of memorial gardens, but so far, nothing has been resolved.  Deacon Eagen suggested that Fr. Richard write a personal letter to the Archbishop requesting consideration for approval for the garden.  Prior to that happening, Donovan is arranging for Deacon Eagen to come to Holy Cross and meet with any parishioners who have expressed an interest in the garden.  This would allow everyone to ask questions and have a better understanding of the Archdiocese’s position.  Then the letter would be written and hopefully we would be given permission to proceed.

 

·         Bylaws – Kathy passed out copies of the current Bylaws.  She requested that everyone review them and send and suggested changes to Kris Chatfield to be compiled for the next meeting.  We need to change the Bylaws to reflect the change from Parish Council to Pastoral Council.  Kathy also suggested that we add something in the Bylaws to address absenteeism.  The suggestion was made that three unexcused absences from Council meetings would result in the person being replaced by the pastor on the Council.  All of this will be discussed at the November meeting.

 

·         Ministry Reports –

 

Education:  Carole spoke with Sr. Pilar who stated that we have 325 children enrolled in English PSR and 300 children enrolled in Spanish PSR.  Sr. Pilar is making an effort to work with families who are having financial difficulties and cannot pay for PSR classes.  She also indicated that parents are very pleased with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. We have 19 people enrolled in RCIA class this year.  There is a concern from the RCIA team about the size of the room where they meet.  On any given Sunday, they may have over 50 people in the room, between the teaching team, the RCIA students, their sponsors and their family members.  Donovan reported that Kris and Jim Chatfield are working with Fr. Richard to make some decisions regarding the Sponsor Couple Program, and whether or not we will continue to recommend this to engaged couples.  Kathy indicated that she and her husband are also trained in the program.   The Youth Ministry is still working on compiling a list of adult volunteers, as well as identifying middle and high school children in the parish.  Currently, we have 65 high schoolers that will be confirmed this year.  Barb Garvin has 2 social events planned in November and December for the middle school kids, to introduce them to the Edge program and to each other.  Donovan reported that we currently have 1 Men’s FAMILIA team and 2 Women’s FAMILIA teams meeting at the parish.  Jan Arias added that the theme for this year's "Faith Matters" adult education classes, meeting weekly on Sunday mornings, is "Thinking Catholic."  For the three weeks preceding Nov. 1st, the class has looked at Pope Benedict's recent encyclical "Charity in Truth," with insights provided by Dr. Louanne Bachner and Salvador Arias, businessman. 
This Sunday we are Celebrating All Saints Day and the topic will be "the Saints and who they are to us."  Bob Fecas, a Religion Teacher from Marist High School, will be leading us in this discussion, illuminating the celebration we have each year.  Fr. Richard is leading a class later in the season with a presentation about Advent.  All are welcome and refreshments are provided.  Classes meet in Rooms 7 & 8 after 9 am Mass.  Most weeks attendance is between 25 and 45 people.

 

Human Concerns:  Joan indicated that St. Martin de Porres continues to be very busy with new clients.  St. Vincent de Paul has a successful ministry fair, adding 5 new members to their list. Service Member Support ministry shipped 35 more packages this month to 24 troops stationed in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.  The HIV/AIDS Ministry continues to be very busy providing emergency assistance to those with HIV/AIDS, working through various other organizations such as The Living Room and Gift of Grace House.  Proceeds for the last bake sale were down a bit, so they would like to see that improve.  Carmen Graciaa has organized a Holy Cross team to participate in the annual AIDS Walk Atlanta.  They are also working with Fr. Richard to organize as Mass to commemorate World AIDS Day.  Cece Reimer will come to the next Pastoral Council meeting to present information about the Ecumenical Ministry.

 

Hispanic Ministries: A retreat is being held on November 4th from 7:00 – 10:30pm and is open to the entire Hispanic community, as well as people from other parishes.  Tickets are being sold for $10 each or $15 per couple.  Fr. Javier has arranged to Fr. Angel Espinosa to come and speak.  Two talks will be given – one about a person’s individual relationship with God and a 2nd talk about having God as the center of your marriage.  Mercedes indicated that each ministry leader has been tasked to bring anyone working with their ministry to the retreat.  A novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe will begin on December 3rd at 8:00pm.  The novena will end on December 12th with an all day workshop focusing on Our Lady of Guadalupe.  The workshop will end at 7:00pm with Mass, followed by refreshments in the parish hall.  There will be a procession before Mass begins.  Mercedes also indicated that the Hispanic community has been participating in First Friday services, with a vigil of reflection and adoration, celebrating the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  This takes place each First Friday, beginning at 7:00pm and ending at midnight.  Confession is offered prior to Mass.

 

Parish Life: Kris indicated that Winnie Scherer emailed her and indicated that she would like to resign as the head of the Greeter ministry.  Fr. Richard asked that she be contacted to see if she had a replacement in mind.  Kris also reported that she and Gabriela Probst had volunteered to co-chair the new Welcome Committee and will be meeting with Kathy to discuss ideas.  Lesley McGee has volunteered to work with Fr. Ed to coordinate a schedule to provide meals to our priests once a month.  We have a number of social events coming up, including the Fall Festival , a Mardi Gras party and a Parish Carnival.

 

 

Worship and Spiritual Growth: Larry indicated that Gail Goodman requested more clarity on how the Eucharistic Ministers are organized during Mass.  There have been several times where the choir is not getting the Eucharist.  Larry also reported that most ministry leaders he contacted are focused on getting ministry members to attend one of the November retreats mentioned above. Larry also raised the issue of the Loaves and Fishes ministry being removed from the list of approved parish ministries, which resulted in some concerned emails from several ministry leaders.  Fr. Richard will bring information to the next meeting as to why this particular ministry was removed from the booklet.  It was agreed that we could still continue to minister to those in need in the parish through the provision of meals, but that for the time being the ministry would not be an “official” ministry of the parish.

 

Stewardship – Kathy Hoffman indicated that Parish Treasure Sunday would be November 1st.  Families will be provided with pledge envelopes and each family will bring them up during the offertory at each Mass.  There will also be a Treasure talk given at each Mass that weekend. 

 

Social Activities – Kathy announced that there would be an Oktoberfest on Friday, October 23rd, with food provided by the Knights of Columbus for a nominal fee, crafts for children and a pumpkin carving contest.  Children are encouraged to come in costume.  Larry suggested that in order to unite the Hispanic and English communities more effectively, that all events be bi-lingual, perhaps with a bi-lingual emcee, etc.  As of now, even though all events are open to both communities, singular events are still regarded as “Spanish” and “English”, because the language barrier still presents a problem on both sides.  Kathy indicated that Jennifer Winterscheidt had volunteered to lead the newly formed Social Committee, and that she would like 2 – 3 people from the Hispanic Community to sit on the committee.  Don and Mercedes will work on getting her some names.  November 8th will be Fr. Richards installation Mass with the Archbishop.  The Mass will be at 5:30 Sunday evening, with a reception to follow.  In addition, there are plans underway for a Mardi Gras celebration on February 13th and a Parish Carnival on April 17th.

 

·         Other Business – Fr. Richard indicated that the Thanksgiving Mass had been changed from Thursday morning to Wednesday evening at 7:00pm.  The Mass will be bi-lingual.  Father would also like to meet with Kris Chatfield and Gabriela Probst about the new Welcome Committee.  Pat presented an idea from another parish to raise additional funds for the church through a scrip program.  There were mixed responses from the Council.  Fr. Richard will take this under advisement.  Pat raised a final concern about shaking hands during the sign of the peace and drinking from the cup during this flu season.  Fr. Richard stated that information had already been in the bulletin about flu precautions, but that he would see about placing the flyer in again.  No one is obligated to shake hands or receive the Blood if they are concerned about germs.

 

 

·         Next Meeting – Our next meeting is scheduled for November 10th, 2009. 

 

 

Meeting was adjourned with a prayer.

 

Respectfully Submitted, Kris Chatfield