St. Catherine of Siena

PPC Minutes

June 15, 2010

St. Jude's Church

7:00 PM

OPENING PRAYER: Fr. Paul

Facilitator: Diane Kreager

Members Present: Ken Kaucic, Fr. Paul, Gene LaViolete, Diane Kreager, Karen Kelley, Brian Garland, Frank Malkewicz, Maggie Chipman, Lisa Malkewicz, Roz Amor, Ray

Members Absent: Fr. John, Judy Finkler, Kirby Falkenberg, Sharon

  1. Discernment Process: Brian

Brian stated there has only been one nomination so far. Saturday June 26th and Wed. June 30th are set aside as information nights for potential PPC members. There has been a bulletin ad for three weeks with information. There are cards in the pews for nominations, and pulpit announcements. Those nominated will receive letters about the process. A discernment night of July 10th at 5:30 has been set aside. Maggie suggests all PPC members nominate someone before the meeting closes. Brian states that the information night should have some current members. Frank, Lisa and Fr. John can do June 26th (at St. Jude) and Maggie, Gene and Fr. Paul can do June 30th (at SH). On July 10th all PPC members are encouraged to attend. Kirby can facilitate the night. Fr. Paul suggests Brian makes an announcement after communion to have people fill in the cards. PPC members could collect the cards.

  1. Parish Organizational Chart: Karen

Karen is trying to update this to include all activities. Just Faith will morph into a Christian service/justice and peace group. This will go on the website-along with contact people for each group. We should give this to new parishioners. Some groups are inactive at this time, but could re-activate.

  1. By Laws:

Kirby is absent from the meeting, but Lisa says Kirby, Ray and herself were supposed to be working on these. They will help us set term limits, member selection, meeting protocols, etc. More on this next month.

  1. Preparation for Bishop Rhoades Visit:

Fr. Paul reports that the 9:00 mass at SH is canceled, so all may attend Bishop's mass at 10:00 at St. Jude. The visit is July 18th. Tom Grzeczyk is doing a sculpture of St. Catherine. Should we dedicate the rosary walk? Is Lenny doing the polish dinner for the festival? Possible driving tour for bishop to see the proposed property. Brian is handling combining the two church choirs for the 10:00 special mass.

  1. Finance Report:Frank

There was an increase in giving since Joel Hoff's talk. Mary will have a report for us. Did the talk sustain and hold over to continued giving? Frank says no. Lisa asks how is the on-line giving going? She wonders if there should be another update of finances at the end of summer to PPC? We need to show what the shortfall is in the weekly bulletin. Ken wonders if we should have a thermometer showing participation in giving. Roz wants to see the financial s. Frank says they have to be condensed. We will be 90,000 in debt as school gave 60,000 in scholarships per Bishop Darcy. Roz states 20-30% is given from the parish to sustain school. Higher that that, we have a concern.

Lisa reports on the school numbers-Bishop Darcy mandated financial assistance. We have asked Bishop Rhoades for help. There are lots of financial aid applications. The school board is focusing on direct mail and open houses, LaSalle academy overflow, brochures at Parish Festival. Roz suggests advertizing our ISTEP scores, which are good. Right now our number of students is 156, with 200 the break even. We should reach out to the Hispanic market. Lisa and Steve D will meet with the superintendent and also St. Matt's principal in July. Should we reach out to PSR kids, giving scholarships to our parishioners first?

Frank will have a comprehensive financial report soon-check the PPC link.

  1. Fr. John's comments: (Maggie)

a. The diocese is still interested in buying the property, appraisal being done, Joel Hoff and Joe Ryan were overseeing this.

b. School study-end of June-Bishop Rhoades is looking at combining the 3 south side schools.

  1. Thursday Holy Hour before 1st Friday: Possible 7:00 adoration/benediction-PPC members were in favor.
  1. 5:30 Sunday mass-should we survey the parishioners? Brian and Diane think this will tax the priests and staff unnecessarily. Ken thinks this stretches our resources. Fr. Paul mentions summer visitors might like it (Potato Creek?) Brian notes we may lose the community that is so needed at this mass. Lisa and Roz think we should survey. Perhaps after SH closes it's doors. Lisa will pursue a survey of parishioners. Gene wants to know if there will be much notice when the church will officially close. Fr. Paul says as much as possible.
  1. Anything else?

Diane notes she enjoyed working with everyone for the last two years and will keep all the PPC members and their work in prayer. Ray and Sharon are wanting to step down, and Lisa may withdraw as she is entering a masters program this fall.

Next Meeting: 2nd Tuesday (July 13th) at Sacred Heart at 7:00. Meeting change due to Bishop's arrival on July 18th.

Brian notes June 27th blessing for Carole McCollester.

CLOSING PRAYER: Fr. Paul