Official Minutes
Date: Wednesday September 8, 2004
Time: 7:00pm
Place: Convent Upper Room

Attending:
Fr. Chuck Kieffer, Fr. Nick Floridi, Neil Urban, Amy Caffarello, Chris Coury, Michael Harris, K. Lewis, Jerry McKenna, Terez Sanguine, Mark Skoog, Bernadette Shaw-Nabity

7:10pm - President Neil Urban welcomed the Council to the first meeting of the year.

Pastor's Report: Fr. Chuck Kieffer

• Fr Chuck reported on the status of the remodeling projects. Kneelers are almost complete, as is pew refinishing. Baptistry work and construction of security gates is beginning; renovation of McMahon Center Kitchen has begun with asbestos abatement. Bulk mailing will be going out to registered parishioners describing the renovations and construction on campus. Site maps, design and placement sketches are included.
• God and Coffee dates are planned for 2004-2005
• Status of the Safe Environment Training (SET) mandated by the diocese for those in ministry affecting children and vulnerable adults. Cheryl Lienau is coordinating training opportunities for those involved in parish ministry; Peter Morkert coordinating training for school volunteers.
• GIRM transition is nearly complete. A liturgical catechesis reviewing the new norms for celebrating the Eucharist will take place at Masses on a weekend in October.
• School is in session. There was a large 8th grade graduating class; there are an estimated 518 (?) students enrolled this term; this includes an increase in new students.
• October 2004 will begin the Pope's Year of the Eucharist. More information on this next meeting
• 2005 will mark the 50th Anniversary of the founding of St. Theresa Parish. Cheryl Lienau is parish staff liaison for Jubilee year activities and will be working with a committee of parishioners. We anticipate that the major parish celebration will take place in Fall '05 and expect that Bishop Olmsted, Bishop Emeritus O'Brien, priests who have served the parish in past years as well as school and parish alumni will be involved. More specific information will be forthcoming.

• Neil asked members to reflect on two scripture readings that support the spirituality and mission of the council members. Opening prayer was read by all.
• “Infusing the Pastoral Counsel with the Spirit of Christ” Sr. Kathleen Turley RSM 2004 was distributed to the council and members were asked to review prior to next meeting.

Adult Education Ministry: Fr. Nick

• Fr. Nick reported he is contacting several speakers of note. November 08, 2004, Paul Dupree will speak on his journey to Catholicism from Mormonism.

• Members were complimentary of the form and format. Rob Kubasko manages this process.

• Mark Skoog reported the Knights of Columbus has embraced that ministry.

Role of the Pastoral Council in the Parish: Neil Urban

• Neil Urban distributed St Theresa Pastoral Council Guidelines and Mission Statement 1999 Council members were asked to review and discuss for next meeting
• Suggestion for voice mail address in the parish office was accepted and the email address noted on the WebSite were supported. Fr. Chuck will follow thru on set-up. Council secretary will be responsible for accessing information on a routine basis. Comment, questions, suggestion will be forwarded first to Fr. Chuck and Neil Urban, as president of the council, prior to any action or response.

• Discussion ensued on how to attract new members to the Council
• Suggestions included
  1. Continue with posting of minutes
  2. Photos of council members will be updated, but with a 'blurb' attached suggesting that the community approach council members with thoughts, concerns, suggestions for example.
  3. That some members approach individuals in the community for interest in joining and perhaps attend a meeting
  4. Discussion about open meeting - any community member may attend and address the council.
  5. The council supported visibility of members towards the goal of being responsive and supported to the community in matters of spirituality. Also, if questions and comments come to members that are not the purview of the council, they will be forwarded appropriately.
  6. Suggestion to approach a Life Teen member: Fr Chuck will approach Ryan Howe, Life Teen Coordinator
  7. Suggestion that the schedule for Parish Welcome be shared with the council members for sign up and attendance.
  8. Suggestion that the council look at possible insert for the membership packet.

• The focus this year is Exodus. The first session is October 04, 2004 at 7:00pm and the opening speaker will be Kevin Saunders.
• Amy thanked Fr. Nick for his participation and reflected the positive response about his talks from the attendees.

• Council supported posting the 'Calls' in the bulletin, on the bulletin board and on the WebSite. It was thought that this would support the council's stewardship of availability to the community and the openness of the Council process. The Council secretary will monitor number and frequency of calls after these postings.

• Discussion of the need for a new organ, safety issues, use and problems. The council supported the replacement of the organ, guided by the recommendations of the organists and the Director of Music.

• Members recalled discussions about 8 or 8:30am Mass and the very few members attending in the recent past and constraints on the reduced number of priests dealing with school Masses, funerals, etc. 6:30am Mass attendance is increasing and that there are a number of teens who come prior to school, and perhaps they would not be able to attend an 8am Mass - as would be the case for many on their way to work.

• Neil suggested that the Opening and Closing prayers focus on prayer and discernment and that they be distributed to members prior to the meeting.
• Members will send to k and be included in the meeting packet.

• Possible mini retreat for the council
• Vicariate/Deanery re-structuring
• Diocesan Pastoral Council in-service
• Evangelization
• Life Teen and Confirmation

8:55pm - Adjournment

Respectfully submitted: K Lewis