ST. PAUL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
February 6, 2006 –
6:30 p.m.
Present: Gerry
Burant, Kerri Anderson, Mary Cajski, Sheryl Kaminski, Jeff Madunich, Chris
Fogarty, Vince Sciano, Pat Sciano, Paul Anderson, Karen Bushman, Tom Fogarty,
Kay Mather, Erv Andrykowski, Frank Plachinski, Jim Hooper, Joel Tomski, and
Sue Madunich
Not Present: Daryl Olszewski, Linda Krowsky, and Ann Pawlak
Guest Speakers: Fr. Brian Mason, Associate Vicar for Clergy, and Mr. Mark Peters, Archdiocesan Consultant and Advisory Board member
The meeting began with opening prayers.
Fr. Mason explained that his job is to facilitate priest placement and to help parishes in transition. He spoke regarding current statistics and the status of parishes in the Archdiocese at this time: As of 2006, there are 24 priests between the ages of 68 and 76. Eight priests will be retiring. One quarter of parishes are now sharing priests. Between 2007 and 2017 there will be 130 priests retiring, and approximately 60 priests being ordained, which means 1/3 of all parishes will be without a priest. Possible future options to be considered may be sharing a Pastor/Associate Pastor with another parish, utilizing priests from foreign countries, and working with Parish Directors. The Palatine fathers have offered the services of a number of their priests to serve the Archdiocese.
Fr. Mason explained the procedure of how priests are placed within parishes: A list of parish openings is mailed to priests interested in becoming a pastor in late January. A workshop is then held and Parish Profiles are distributed to the priests. They then apply for an assignment after they have spoken with an Archdiocesan consultant and reviewed information regarding the various parishes. Archbishop Dolan makes the final decision on placing a priest within a parish.
Mr. Peters then divided everyone into three groups. Fr. Mason handed out a Parish Leadership Consultation sheet in which each group was assigned three questions to work on in a 30-minute timeframe. At the end of 30 minutes, each group was asked to give their answers. Fr. Mason recorded all of the answers on his computer. He will then compile this information, which will be passed on to the Priest Placement Board and Archbishop Dolan for review.
Fr. Mason suggested forming a parish transition team of about five or six people to work with the new pastor to help him become familiar with the parish. The transition team can be made up of Parish Council members, parish staff, and parishioners. New pastors have told him this was very helpful to them when beginning work in a new parish.
Fr. Mason assured us that the Archbishop is not considering closing any parishes or letting any parish be without a priest or Parish Director at this time.
Fr. Mason sent Gerry a copy of a Parish Profile. Copies of this profile will be sent to all Council members for review. On Monday, February 20th, the Parish Council will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the profile. All persons who attended the Parish Council meeting will be invited to attend this meeting also. Fr. Mason needs the Profile completed and returned to him by the end of February or beginning of March.
NEW BUSINESS
SBC has requested an easement for placement of a utility
cabinet on the parish grounds. This
cabinet would be located along the north fence on the playground directly
behind one of the private garages abutting the fence. The plot of land would measure approximately
10’ x 20’ with the utility cabinet itself measuring approximately
2’ x 4’ x 5’ high. Daryl asked the
Council to discuss this, which was done, and the proposal was approved. Gerry will contact Daryl to let him know the
Council’s decision.
On Sunday, March 5, 2006, the Parish Council is meeting with the other Parish Councils from our cluster at St Veronica’s, Johnson Hall from 5:00-7:00 p.m. to discuss problems and concerns that might be common to all of our parishes.
OLD BUSINESS
Paul Anderson has decided not to seek a second term as one of our representatives on the STAA School Board. The Parish Council needs to elect a new representative. It was decided to place ballots in church the weekend of March 25 and 26. Vince will check with Linda to see if she has a copy of the form that was used last time.
The meeting ended at 9:00 p.m. with Karen Bushman leading the closing prayer.
Daryl will have the opening prayer at the March 6th meeting.
Respectfully submitted by:
Pat Sciano