FAITH FORMATION-SERVICE-LITURGY-STEWARDSHIP-EVANGELIZATION
ST. STEPHEN PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
MARCH 4, 2015
“We, the parish of St. Stephen, will carry out the mission of Jesus Christ, as a welcoming, worshipping, Catholic Community by sharing, growing and living the Gospel.”
In Attendance: Father Larry Kolson, Bob Melewski, Steven Ramp, Drew Bonthron, Jeannette Falbo, Sister Angela DeFontes, Duffy Laws, Joshua Phillips, Kellie Reynolds, Mary Bateman, Jim Kalinosky, Debbie O’Brien, Bill O’Brien, Janet Bitzelberger, Carol Powers
Member Unable to Attend: Father Paul Breczkinski, Rob Hott, Mary Patrick, Dcn. Tim Maloney, Renee Eppig, Laura Holland, Tim McNamara, Chris Deaver
Opening Prayer: The meeting began at 7:05 pm. Jeannette Falbo provided a prayer for all to say regarding a fruitful Lent. She also read a story entitled “Holy Vulnerability” as it relates to spiritual growth.
Council Business:
Pastor’s Comments: - Father Larry Kolson
Father Larry thanked all involved the preparation of the 2015 Lenten program. He remarked that a lot of work and creativity went into the preparation.
Father Larry updated the Council on Father Paul’s family. He said that his brother is doing better, but his presence was required to help his parents. His mother is better and will be discharged soon from the hospital. He added that Father Paul is hoping to be here this weekend for his Masses. Father Larry said that Father O’Brien has been very helpful over the weeks that Father Paul has been away. Father Larry asked that the Council to keep Father Paul and his family in their prayers.
Father Larry said that because of the weather, Mass attendance has been down. He said that there will be a notice in the Bulletin requesting that parishioners try to keep up their offerings. Electronic giving is being encouraged.
Correction to February 4, 2015 Minutes: Father Larry made a correction to the February 4th PPC Minutes as follows. The Minutes should read:
“Liturgy: Father Paul said that there will be a number Lenten penance services including “The Light is on for You” service. On several occasions, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for parishioners to pray. Kellie added that the following reconciliation opportunities are available:
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Wednesday March 4, 2015, 7 pm and Wednesday March 18, 2015 at 4 and 7 pm. Reconciliation Services with confessions will be available after services. Friday, March 27, 2015 from 3-7 pm. The “Light is on for You” will be available in every Catholic Church.”
Staff Reports:
Faith Formation – St. Angela DeFontes
Sr. Angela said that they are working on the Festival of Faith. Sr. Angela said that she, Kellie Reynolds, Mary Morgan, and Duffy Laws attended a seminar yesterday in Middleton Delaware on engaging parents in the catechetical process. She said that they returned with some excellent ideas.
Sr. Angela said that there will probably not be a bible school this summer because air conditioning will be installed in the School. She said that they trying to determine what activity other than bible school could be offered.
RCIA: Sr. Angela said that there are 9 people and their families attending the Easter Virgil,
April 4, 2015 at 7:30 pm Mass. She said that there are 2 Baptisms and there is a child that will be baptized. In addition there is a 6th grader and a 4th grader who have been going through RCIC who will be in attendance.
New Festival of Faith Card: Drew Bonthron distributed the Festival of Faith marketing card designed by Chris Deaver that also listed the Forgiveness Journey series. He requested that we add the Forgiveness Book discussion on April 1st which does not appear on the marketing card. He encouraged that Signup Genius be used to register for the Book Discussion.
Duffy Laws added that the Festival of Faith is moving along nicely and there are many things planned to make the event very enjoyable. She said that volunteers are needed to insure the success of the Festival of Faith. Volunteers are encouraged to use the Signup Genius to register and view the events that are in need of help. Kellie gave a few examples of where volunteers would be needed: the Adoration Chapel to make certain there is someone present at all times, or volunteering to help with the Humane Society Organization, and many more volunteer opportunities.
Youth and Service Ministry – Kellie Reynolds
Kellie requested that we all pray for Robin Urbanski who works with Kellie in the evenings and who has been experiencing a series of health issues. She said that Robin is anxious to return to work and greatly needed.
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Kellie said that next week is National Sisters Week and she encouraged the Council to acknowledge our Sisters.
Confirmation Retreats: Kellie said that there are 72 candidates. She said that there has been one very successful retreat to date. Unfortunately, Father Paul could not be there because he had to help his family. She said that in the past Father Paul has done a wonderful mini introduction to Eucharistic Adoration for the teens. She said that Father Larry, Father O’Brien and Father Simmons from Holy Spirit Church heard confessions. She said that two more retreats will take place and asked that the Council keep the candidates in their prayers. She said that there are a team of over 30 volunteers who help to run the Confirmation activities. She added that the volunteers are vital to making the sessions successful. She thanked all the volunteers from the Evangelization Ministry including Drew Bonthron, Renee Eppig and Duffy Laws as well as the priests who administered the sacraments and Adoration during confirmation retreats.
Opportunity for Gifting the Bible: Through Facebook, Kellie said that she is able to see when our young adult parishioners are moving into new homes so she, with approval, will be visiting two young adults in their new residences, and bringing them a gift of the Bible from St. Stephen Parish. She asked if any Council member would be interested in visiting these parishioners with her to contact her.
Kellie thanked Chalie Bitzelberger who helped to load lunches and deliver the lunches to the Franciscan Center. She thanked all volunteers who diligently help to keep the ministries going.
Kellie said to mark calendars for July 10, 2015 for the Aberdeen Iron Bird’s game. Tickets will include a meal and fireworks. She said all the details will be advertised in the Bulletin. She said the Parish will commit to 20 tickets by May 10, 2015. She requested that the Council talk about this fun evening with their family and friends.
Kellie said that the Scouts will be doing a Spotlight on “Scouting for Food/Harvest for the Hungry”. The Scouts will be distributing lists of needed non-perishable foods after Masses. They are requesting these items be returned on March 14 and 15, 2015.
She said that on the following weekend (March 21 and 22), we are asking parishioners to donate items for the Festival of Faith which will be donated to the Asylee Women which is an organization that helps women entering our country seeking asylum.
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Finance: Bob Melewski
Bob reiterated that the lost revenue from Sunday collections has been of concern, especially in view of snow removal and the other expenses.
He said that the School Hall has the new air conditioning system. He said the Church has asked permission to air condition the School building. The request was sent out in November, 2014 and the approval was recently received. He said that there is also a project-out to replace the Church mechanical bell system with an electronic bell system. The new bell system will allow the Church to have more versatility for funerals and weddings, etc. The money for the project will come from the Capital Campaign. He said that work will also be done on the lighting going down toward the youth building. He said that they are hoping to do as much LED lighting as possible. Contractors have been consulted to look into changing the entire campus to LED lighting.
Bob said that the Capital Campaign is proceeding but there are some contributors who are in arrears and have not honored their pledges. These parishioners will be contacted to see if they are able to honor their commitment and will be asked to let us know if they are unable to contribute.
Bob said that Rob Hott is still searching for a Contemporary Music Director. Father Larry added that the individual from John Carroll School, who is presently leading the group, will remain until the end of May.
Carnival: Bob said that the Carnival will take place one week earlier than normal - June 11, 12 and 13, 2015. That weekend, the 6 pm Saturday Mass will be cancelled.
New Council Business:
Ad Hoc Nomination Committee for Parish Council – Steven Ramp
Steve said that last month it was suggested that Council members submit names of persons they feel would make good candidates for the Parish Pastoral Council. Steve said that Drew Bonthron and Janet Bitzelburger have agreed to be nominated. Steve will contact the persons recommended by the Council to see if they are interested in being placed on the ballot.
Steve said that the elections will take place the first weekend in May, 2015.
Drew reminded the Council that the next Parish Council meeting will take place on April 8, 2015 not April 1, 2015.
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Speaker Series: Bob Melewski thanked Drew and Jeannette and all the volunteers who helped to set up the Dr. Swartz’s Forgiveness talk. Dr. Swartz was unable to deliver her talk because of a family emergency. Jeannette thanked Duffy for “saving the day” and was able to set up an online video on “vulnerability” which was very inspiring. Jeannette also thanked Kellie for quickly notifying (via Signup Genius) those who were likely on their way.
Evangelization
Christ Life – Drew Bonthron
Drew briefed the Parish Pastoral Council on this exciting program which is part of the New Evangelization – Christ Life.
Drew showed the Archbishop Lori video briefly explaining Christ Life. Archbishop Lori brought the program to the Archdiocese offices in last August and Kellie Reynolds attended the Conference.
Drew said that there are three 7 week sessions in the Christ Life experience (Discovering Christ-DC, Following Christ-FC and Sharing Christ-SC). Typically sessions last 2 ½ hours including a meal which is served for each session; several hymns are sung and there is a 25 to 35 minutes video presented for each session. Following the video there is a 35 minute facilitated, small group discussion and then closing prayer.
He said that the following neighboring parishes are running sessions:
· St. Mary’s Pikesville (has had the program several times and has 80 people still involved).
· St. John’s Hydes (Chris Deaver set up the initial program of Discovering Christ and is now doing Following Christ- the second 7 week session).
· St. Joseph’s Fullerton (Deacon Tim Maloney, Judy Skiorski is participating – AM and PM sessions).
· Holy Spirit in Joppatowne doing Discovering Christ on Monday (Duffy Laws, Jeannette Falbo and Drew Bonthron attending).
Drew said that a national Christ Life Conference will be held on March 18, 19 and 20, 2015. He said that Father Larry, Frank Laws, Sr. Angela DeFontes, Duffy Laws, Drew Bonthron, Jeannette Falbo and Judy Sikorski will be attending the Conference at St. Philip Neri in Linthicum, MD.
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Drew said that it takes approximately 6 months of planning so we are hoping to begin in September, 2015.
He said that volunteers will be needed. He said that there are between 7 and 10 leadership positions needed to run the program: overall administrator, intercessory prayer leader, publicity chairperson, service team leader, small group coordinator, worship leader, coordinator for dinners.
Drew said that the first organization meeting will be held on Friday, March 13, 2015 at 5 pm in the Learning Cottage. He invited any Council member to attend and become involved. Kellie added that it is hoped that if Council members are unable to attend or be a part of the Christ Life experience that they promote Christ Life and invite parishioners, their family and friends to attend. Drew requested that the Council pray for the success of the Program.
Father Larry said that when he was on retreat last year he read some of the document called “The Joy of the Gospel” by Pope Francis. He said that it is an amazingly moving and powerful document. He said that it talks about our personal relationship/commitment to Christ in practical and concrete ways. He said that he thought then that he would like to see this kind of program offered in our parish community – he said that Christ Life is exactly what he envisioned for our Parish.
Open Forum and Announcements
Drew handed out the flier for the Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Maryland Conference – The New Evangelization as a Way of Life” to be held on March 14, 2015 at Calvert Hall High School. Drew said that if anyone is interested in attending to contact him for carpooling if needed.
Other Lenten Events: Bishop Dennis Madden – March 11, 2015, 6:30 pm
Father Chuck Canterna – March 25, 2015, 6:30 pm
March 29, 2015 Festival of Faith – Palm Sunday, 10:45 am (Hall Mass)
Forgiveness Book Discussion – April 1, 2015, 7 pm
Closing Prayer: Drew led the Council and closed the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.
The meeting concluded at 8:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannette Falbo
Secretary