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March 5, 2007
Meeting began at 6:31
p.m. in the Parish Office building.
Members present: Tony Kraus,
John Little, Pete Johnson, Debbie Luedke, Ron Greene, John Wells, Tom
Hayden, Laura Baker, Mike Hagan, Connie Caceres, Juan Fernandez, David
Danhauer.
Staff members present: Fr.
Carl, Rick Rhodes, Ken Caselden, Mark Baehl, Martha Little, Chris
Gutierrez
Members absent: Carol Alvey
Guests: Suzanne Rose
1. Opening prayer
led by Laura Baker
2. Minutes from
February 5 meeting were approved.
3. Suzanne Rose gave
a presentation on the Good Samaritan Home that will house a refugee
family. The building of the home is in the final stages. There was an
article today in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer about the home.
At this time, a specific family has not been chosen; however, Suzanne is
working with the International Center (based in Bowling Green) to bring in
a family. Once the house is completed, the process will speed up in
finding a family. Because of our past experience in housing a refugee
family and our previous success, the International Center is looking at
bringing us a “hard to place family.” This speaks well of what the parish
has done in the past. The International Center will provide $900 for each
family member to get started. Suzanne passed out a handout with a detailed
expense list. There will be a greater expectation this time that the
family will pay some of the expenses. The International Center’s goal is
for the family to be self-sufficient within 120 days.
4. Connie Caceres
reviewed the article titled – First Steps for Reluctant Evangelization.
5. Committee
Reports:
A. Family Life –
David Danhauer
- The committee is
placing an emphasis on how to improve communication with other
committees and the parish as a whole. They are also focusing on
goal-setting.
- Brad and Robin
Osborne are now co-chairs of the committee.
- The Executive
Committee will address ways to better improve communication/
B. Education –
Debbie Luedke
- There was a
discussion on Marriage Encounter. At this time, the diocese is
recommending that couples go through the program held in the Diocese of
Louisville. Martha said the Diocese of Owensboro offers a Marriage
Enrichment program (one day retreat). Fr. Carl said he also has an
enrichment program that he is able to offer. This will be discussed at a
future Education Committee meeting.
C. Sacred Liturgy
- Ron Greene
·
People seem to be enjoying
the Stations of the Cross offered at noon on Wednesdays and 6:15 on
Fridays of Lent.
D. Art and
Environment – Ron Greene
- The Lenten
environment is in place. There has been a positive feedback on the cross
on the front lawn of the rectory. There was discussion that this be
permanent; however, the general consensus is that this is a special
time. If the cross were always there, it would take away from the Lenten
message.
E. Activities
Committee – John Wells
- Currently waiting
on the completion of the parish hall and better weather before planning
new events.
F. Stewardship –
Mike Hagan
- Working on a
Mission Statement.
- Currently in the
process of calling all those who did not return a pledge card.
- Would like help in
calling campaign.
G. Spiritual Life
– Connie Caceres and Juan Fernandez
- The parish mission
seemed to be very successful.
H. Finance – Rick
Rhodes
- The committee has
been looking at how to fund the Good Samaritan Home.
- We still are about
$225,000 short on paying for the Parish Hall. The committee is talking
about how to pay for this.
- We are
approximately $17,000 above the budget through February 2007.
I. Social Justice
– Pete Johnson
- The St. Benedict
Shelter will close March 17 as scheduled. They still need volunteers
(especially for the 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. shift).
J. Hispanic
Ministry – Chris Gutierrez
- There will be a
program on Comprehensive Immigration Reform that will be held on Sunday,
March 18 in the Fr. Tucker Center. This will be led by Patti Murphy,
Director of Hispanic Ministry for the diocese.
- The first Sts.
Joseph & Paul Hispanic Committee meeting was held last week.
- Chris and others
continue a home visitation program.
6. Old Business
- The Parish Hall
dedication and celebration will be held on Sunday, June 10 at 3 p.m.
Bishop McRaith will join us. There will be a potluck (with parish
furnishing meat), a dance presentation from the Hispanic community, a
procession of the cross from the church to the hall, and other
activities. Former pastors and those who helped build the hall will be
invited. A Parish Council representative will extend a welcome during
the weekend prior to the dedication. More details to come.
- The newsletter is
almost complete. It will be four pages instead of two. Hopefully will
publish within next three weeks. This will be a quarterly publication.
- The newsletter
staff is also the new Communications Committee for the parish. Laura
Baker will be the council’s liaison for this committee.
- The Parish Council
will lead Stations of the Cross on March 16. Tony will contact members.
7. New Business
A. The area pastors
asked that an ad hoc committee be formed to find ways to fund Hispanics
attending the Catholic School system. Fr. Carl is a part of this
committee. Discussion continues on the matter. They are looking for grant
writers. The names of Elaine Grant’s daughter and Carol Alvey were
proposed. Other names would be welcome.
B. Open Parish
Council meeting – probably will be set for early fall. This will entail
the same format as a regular council meeting. It will help us set goals
and to see if we are keeping the parish mission statement alive. More
details to come.
C. The Spiritual Life
Committee offered to lead our Parish Council retreat. We will work on a
day and time.
8. Tony Kraus will
lead opening prayer at the March meeting.
9. David Danhauer
will lead our continuing education discussion. Topic TBD.
10. Fr. Carl closed
with prayer. Meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
11. The next Council
meeting will be held on Monday, May 7 in the Parish Office. There
will not be an April meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
John Little – Council Secretary
sdrose@bellsouth.net
5-14-2007
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