ST. PAUL PARISH COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES

December 3, 2007 – 6:30 p.m.

 

Present:  Father Romanus, Paul Anderson, Sherry Kaminski, Linda Krowsky, Vince Sciano, Gerry Burant, Katrin Kempowski, Sue Dolkiewicz, and Pat Sciano

 

Not Present:  Dick Kucharski and Anne Uecker

 

Guest:  Karen Bushman

 

The meeting began with Father Romanus leading the opening prayer.

 

Joel Tomski took updated photos of the Parish Council.

 

The minutes from the November meeting reviewed, amended, and approved.

 

Karen Bushman was asked to attend this meeting to discuss the Religious Education program.  Several comments have come from parishioners stating their difficulty in attending Mass at St. Paul's due to the timeframe of the religious education classes. 

 

Karen was asked by the officers of the Council to give an overview of the program.  She stated she began running the program in 1999.  There are 24 classes scheduled during the year with class time totaling 30 hours.  There are 160 students registered in the program with 37 of the children coming from St. Paul's.  The breakdown of St. Paul's children consists of:  one child in kindergarten, six in first grade, nine in second grade, six in third grade, six in fourth grade, three in fifth grade, and four in sixth grade.  Two years ago the number of
St. Paul students was 40, so the number has remained relatively the same.  There are two catechists or teachers from St. Paul's, and one substitute teacher.  Classes now run from 9:00 to 10:15.  St. Veronica's mass time is 10:30.  Parents of St. Paul students can come between 10:00 and 10:05 to pick up their children if they wish to attend Mass at St. Paul's; however, this is cutting 15 minutes off of the students' class time. 

 

Several options were discussed including:  Starting class ten minutes earlier (from
8:50 to 10:05) to allow time for families to attend Mass at St. Paul's; changing the time to 11:40 after Masses at both parishes are finished (this would probably conflict with sports activities); alternating sites on a twice per month basis (possibly using our school building for classes); changing the day classes are held (possibly a weeknight); or scheduling class time from 9:00 to 10:00; however, this would shorten the class time significantly over the year and it would be difficult adding classes to make up the 30 hour difference. 

 

Karen stated that there is a lot to consider if the site were to change including the need for catechists and volunteers.  She said she would take our concerns to her staff and see what, if any, changes can be made.  Paul is going to talk to Jim Hooper, chair of the Christian Formation Committee, to ask for his input; he also asked Parish Council members to voice their ideas regarding this issue.                  

 

Father Romanus reiterated the importance of collaboration between the two parishes. 

 

Living Our Faith

 

The Council viewed a DVD from the Archdiocese with Archbishop Dolan explaining the Living Our Faith initiative.  Our parish received materials to be handed out to committees and parishioners.  There is a large banner that will be displayed outside of church at the Norwich entrance's west wall.  Vince is going to let Matt Lewandowski know so he can attach fasteners for hanging. 

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Paul reworked the Time and Talent form and this will be distributed to the parish the week after Christmas.  There will be a reminder to bring them back two weeks after Christmas and the week following that they will be collected. 

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Paul got estimates for the name plaques for Plasik Hall and Glowinski Meeting Room.  The cost is approximately $1500.00 for both and he is going to check with Bob Pleva to see if he knows of anyone that we could purchase them through for a little bit less. 

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The door hangers are complete and they were given out to members of the Parish Council for distribution.  This will be done on the coming weekend. 

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Sherry did not think there would be a Christmas pageant this year, but Sue felt Sue Madunich might be able to take it over. 

 

UPDATES FROM FATHER ROMANUS

 

There are still a few pews loose and a couple of kneelers that were not replaced, Badger Carpeting will be coming back to make all repairs.

 

The Thanksgiving Mass went very well and was a wonderful celebration of the altar dedication with Bishop Sklba. 

 

The School Board meets on Tuesday, December 04, 2007, with the issue of tuition being discussed and decided upon.  The budget also needs to be reviewed. 

 

Last Wednesday's Church History talk went very well and was fairly well attended.

 

Ordination of Bishop-elect Callahan will be taking place on Friday, December 21, 2007, at 2:00 p.m.  Archbishop Dolan has requested one member from each Parish Council attend the Mass and Paul will be attending with Father Romanus. 

 

The meeting ended at 9:00 p.m.  There will not be a meeting in January; the next meeting will be February 4, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. with Sue giving the opening prayer.

 

Respectfully submitted by:  Pat Sciano, Parish Council Secretary