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St. Stephen Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)

December4, 2013 Meeting Minutes

In Attendance: Greg Williams, Regina Dietz, Duffy Laws, Janet Bitzelberger,Debbie O’Brien, Bill O’Brien, Bob Melewski, Fr. Paul Breczinski, Rob Hott, Renee Eppig, Tim McNamara, Steve Ramp, Joshua Phillips, Carol Powers, Mary Bateman, Sr. Angela DeFontes, Drew Bonthron

Members/ Staff Unable to Attend:Chris Deaver, Fr. Larry Kolson, Dcn. Tim Maloney, Mary Patrick, Kellie Reynolds

Opening: The meeting began at 7:02pm. Greg announced that Barbara Terebetsky has resigned from the PPC for health reasons and asked we remember her in prayer. Duffyled the Council in the opening prayer, followed by Greg leading the Council’s recitation of the Parish Mission Statement.

Sr. Angela said she has been thinking of a means to include an educational aspect within the PPC meeting and recommended using excerpts from the recent apostolic exhortation (EvangeliiGaudium)as the basis for our opening prayer. Regina will work with Sister Angela for the January prayer.

Council Vision:

Follow-up reports from prior PPC meetings:

  • Evangelization Committee:
  • Bill reporting for the Evangelization Committee (EvC) said he and Debbie were thinking of ways to give back the blessings they have received. They were donating 800 magnets and 500 bags that can be given to parishioners with a “We love our parish!” theme.
  • Bags will be given to those attending the Christmas Bazaar and magnets to each family following all the Masses the weekend of December 14 and 15.
  • Drew said 200 license plate frames will be on hand to sell at the bazaar and also use for evangelization.
  • Liturgy Committee:
  • Fr. Paul said the Liturgy Committee will report next month on those ideas from October’s PPC meeting.
  • Uses of Technology by St. Stephen’s:
  • Drew summarized his meetings with Bob Melewski, Janet about St. Margaret’s and Chris about St. John’s to talk about technology.
  • St. Stephen is ‘challenged’ since the limited space creates more of a need for shared facilities. The other parishes have a schedule ‘owner’ each for the school and the church without much/ any overlap of rooms.
  • Google or other applications for scheduling might be phased out as the parish evaluates use of an Archdiocesan endorsed program (Parish SOFT) that has modules for calendaring, facility scheduling, and ministry schedules on line to name just a few.
  • Still trying to get email list of the parishioners. We may get better email information since this is being requested along with other parishioner data during the capital campaign.
  • Will try to get a meeting with the Technology Subcommittee in early January.

Council Business:

Pastor’s Comments:

  • No report from Fr. Larry who is attending the Capital Campaign meeting. Fr. Paul noted the campaign total is about $ 920,000.

Staff Reports:

Rob Hott:

  • Next concert on Sunday, December 8 at 5PM in the Church will be Christina Massimei withExNihilo. {Update: Given inclement weather concert was rescheduled for Sunday, December 29 at 5 PM.}
  • Christina is participating in a competition in New York on December 7 that would provide for the winner a position with the Metropolitan Opera.

Fr. Paul:

  • Fr. Paul said one of the altar servers (Kathy Poole) has asked for other volunteer opportunities and has become the sacristan for 6 PM Mass and also signed up as a lector.

Bob Melweksi:

  • Announced the repair to the church from the earthquake will run from the end of January into February (3 to 4 weeks). Daily Masses will be shifted to the convent to allow for scaffolding to remain up most of the week. Sunday Mass will continue in the Church during this period. Insurance is covering a portion of the cost.
  • Bid package received for Pre-K Building. Location for building is near the flagpole where the playground is. Playground will relocate closer to convent side of the lot. Groundbreaking is expected in April.
  • Working on payroll changes required by the Archdiocese for 2014.

Sr. Angela:

  • Committee organizing the Faith Festival meeting Friday evenings with a number of dedicated volunteers. Event will be on February 23, 2014 with the theme of Echoing God’s Word and will outline how we can proclaim and share our faith with others.

Closing:

Open Forum & Announcements

  • Duffy still need replies from all PPC members (Staff and Ex-officio members included) with their ‘personal story’ and photograph for the upcoming series that will highlight how each of us is Echoing God’s Word in the bulletin. Inserts in bulletin will begin early next year as Chris finishes the Parish History. Deadline is December 31, 2013.
  • Greg reminded everyone that the next PPC meeting will be on Wednesday, January 8, 2014.

Closing Prayer: Greg led the Council in the closing prayer.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:55 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Drew Bonthron

Secretary

12-24-2013