FINAL

St. Thomas More Pastoral Council Meeting

March 10, 2016

The Pastoral Council meeting began at 6:45 p.m.

Members in attendance: Ron Connor, Beth Deninger, Joan Garrity, Alex Gudenkauf, Keith Less, Kaitlyn Murhammer, Father Stephen Page, Karla Smith, Chad Triplett, Norma Ward and Bill Wise.

Members Excused: Greg Duethman, Lou Ann Montgomery, Patrick Tierney and Traci Wagner

Members Absent: Anne Kelley, Jim Nepola and Janan Rustan

  1. Opening Prayer/Sunday’s gospel reading: Father Stephen Page.
  1. Minutes from February 11, 2016 meeting: Approved as written.
  1. Items of Business:
  1. Constitution final approval: Norma Ward

Norma Ward reviewed the draft presented to the group on 2/22/16 with the changes noted. Discussion of the Constitution resulted in the following changes:

  • Page 3. Article VII Meetings, C. Added the word “meeting so the 3rd sentence now reads: If a special meeting of the Council is called, parishioners are informed as soon and to the extent possible.
  • Page 4. Article XI Amendments, Added C. Pastoral Council approved a two year review cycle. Next review is scheduled for March 2018.
  1. Bylaws final approval: Norma Ward

Norma Ward reviewed the draft presented to the group on 2/22/16 with the changes noted. Discussion of the Bylaws resulted in the following changes:

  • Page 4, Article VI Standing Commissions, Section 1: under Scope, #9. Removed the word “Ministry’s. The resulting sentence read 9. Determine budget priorities in the areas of the Commission’s.
  • Page 5, D. Evangelization and Stewardship. After discussion the members decided to omit all areas of focus under this group since some of the activities are currently being performed by other groups and the group is inactive.
  • Page 5, F. Worship and Spirituality. Capitalize “Children” in the context of last sentence as in Liturgy of the Word for Children.
  • Page 5, ARTICLE VII Amendments to the Bylaws: Members discussed various timelines for review and agreed that a 2 year review for the Bylaws was appropriate. Added to the Amendments to the Bylaws:

Adopted by the consensus of the Pastoral Council, Date: March 10, 2016.

Next Review Date: March 2018

Presented to the Parish on May 14 and 15, 2016.

  1. Requests from the Finance Council: Karla Smith

The finance council is preparing for the 2016-2017 budget. As we did last year, please reach out to the commissions and ministries seeking input on their respective budgets. If they would like relevant financial information to assist them develop their proposed budgets, they can contact Katie Schneider. The budget sub-committee has not set a due date but the end of April should give both the budget sub-committee and the Commissions enough time. Submitted by Mark Theony (via email).

  1. Rich Curran/ Chart of Intentional Ministry activity: Karla Smith

Pastoral liaisons provided the group with inputs from the following Commissions:

  • Church and Family Life
  • Social Justice
  • Worship and Spirituality
  • Religious Education and Faith formation—Norma Ward and Joan Garrity will work on the chart of intentions in the coming week.

Norma Ward volunteered to put the information into an excel workbook with a worksheet tab for each Commission. The members accepted the proposal for discussion at the Council’s April meeting.

  1. Holy Thursday Mass ( March 24, 2016] Washing of Feet: Norma Ward

A sign-up sheetwas circulated at the meetingfor the Washing of Feet ceremony. Three teams have volunteered and Norma Ward will send the directions and assignment to each team member.

  1. 2016 Pastoral Council and Regina Board of Education Elections: Norma Ward
  • Election Committee 2016 is Lou Ann Montgomery, Norma Ward and Beth Deninger.
  • Election dates are set for the weekend of May 14/15, 2016. Norma Ward reviewed the timeline and announcements with the members.
  • It was decided to add the candidate’s bio-sketch information to the St. Thomas More website and the Facebook page, in addition to having the poster in the Narthex. An additional yes or no permission statement will be added to the nomination form to informthe nominees that their picture and information will be on the St. Thomas More website and Facebook page.
  • Election Timeline document will be distributed to the members with the meeting minutes.

January 2016 /
  • Determine election dates: 5/14-15/16- DONE

February 2016 /
  • Review timeline
  • Form election committee (suggest 3 present Council Members. Margaret Kaltefleiter has assisted in past with collecting bios and photos and prepared poster)
  • Discuss succession planning for officers
FINISHED
March 2016 /
  • Post call for nominations in bulletin and on website, through commissions, etc.
Positions up for election:
4 council member (Patrick Tierney, Chad Triplett, Traci Wagner, Bill Wise)
1 Regina Board of Education representative (Jim Nepola)
Positions up for appointment:
2 students (Alex Gudenkauf, Katelyn Murhammer)
FINISHED
April 2016 /
  • Nominations and photos due 4/13
  • Candidate bio postings in narthex weekend of 4/30-5/1 and 5/7-8

May 2016 /
  • Candidate bio postings in narthex weekend of 5/7-8
  • Election weekend of 5/14-15- need 3 people to count votes after Masses

June 2016 /
  • Transition meeting including orientation of newly elected members and officer election (Current president cannot fill another term)

  1. Knights of Columbus: Father Page requested the Knights to consider organizing a St. Thomas More Welcome Dinner with assistance from the other Commissions.
  1. Other: Keith Less reported that all construction contracts have been signed for the Lower Level and that the Lay Trustees, Bishop and the Vicar General of the Diocese have approved.
  1. Reports
  • Regina Board of Education – Anne Kelly, Janan Rustan, Jim Nepola—see attachment 1.
  • Religious Education – Joan Garrity—see attachment 2.
  • Finance Council – Patrick Tierney--no report available.
  • Church Life/Family Life – Traci Wagner, Beth Deninger, Greg Duethman—see attachment 3
  • Worship and Spirituality—Norma Ward—see attachment 4.
  • Social Justice—Karla Smith—see attachment 5
  • Evangelization and Stewardship – Bill Wise, Joan Garrity, Chad Triplett, Ron Conner—commission on hiatus
  • Youth Ministry – Michelle Montgomery—no report available
  • Alex Gudenkauf reported on the upcoming concert by Jesse Manibusan. See for more information:
  1. Next meeting – Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 6:45 p.m.
  • Volunteer for prayers at next meeting – Norma Ward
  1. Closing Prayer – Father Stephen Page

These minutes are pending approval at the next pastoral council meeting.

Submitted by Norma Ward for Beth Deninger, Secretary of Pastoral Council.

Attachment 1

Regina March Update

  • Current PK-12 enrollment - 922 students
  • Regina Gala very successful, still awaiting final totals.
  • Regina BOE approved 2016-2017 Operating Budget. Total income and expenses $7,233,468.
  • BOE Approved 2016-2017 school year calendar. 1st day Aug 24th, last day June 1st. HS graduation May 28th.
  • Approved 2016-2017 administrator and teacher contracts.
  • BOE approved having a guest speaker come speak to students about Digital Citizenship on March 28, 2016. Will provide 3-4 talks to different student and parent groups. Open to all parish families.
  • Upcoming Events:
  • March 29 Band Recital
  • March 31 9th grade retreat
  • April 1 6th grade Wax Museum presentations
  • April 1 Vocal Pop Concert
  • April 3-9 Senior trip
  • April 5 Orchestra Concert (grades 4-12)
  • April 9 ACT
  • April 9 & 10 Davenport Diocese Youth Rally
  • April 14 8th grade retreat
  • April 20 Memorial Mass (K-12)
  • April 23 Prom

Respectfully submitted.

Anne Kelly & Janan Rustan

March 9, 2016

Attachment 2

Attachment 3

Highlights from Church and Family Life

  • Sunday afternoon tea—April 10th Lower Level
  • Easter Vigil reception/RCIA—March 26th
  • Easter Egg Hunt—hosted by Knights of Columbus after 11 am mass on March 27.
  • Commission is sending emails to youths from Youth Group who expressed interest in assisting with various Church Life and Family Life events.
  • Looking into options for where to hold funeral meals during the Lower Level remodel. (Perhaps First Christian Church on North Dubuque Street.) Father Page and Keith Less volunteered that the meals may be able to continue in our Lower Level. More information is needed.
  • Next meeting is Wednesday, March 16, 2016.

Attachment 4

Worship and Spirituality

Attachment 4 continued

Attachment 5

Social Justice

Attachment 5 continued

1