Pastoral Council Meeting Minutes
September 19, 2007
Members present : Andy Anderson , Tony Cadiente , Ali Dwyer, Pat Golditch, Vince Hurley,
Margaret Kristich, Fr. Paul Murphy, Paul Vitali, Tim Walsh
Members absent: Bob Erbe, Tom House, Gary Smith
Recording Secretary : Pat Thwing
Candle Lighting Prayer – Andy Anderson
Opening Scripture Reading –Vince Hurley
Opening Prayer – Ali Dwyer
Vince Hurley called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written
Fr. Paul—Parish Report: Fr. Paul told the Council that in 2002 the Pastors of the diocese had agreed to a planning process which would look at the future needs of parishes given the shortage of priests.
This planning process has begun under the direction of Sr. Susan Olsen.
A series of “Listening Sessions” was planned to enable Bishop Garcia to listen to the views of parishioners from a “cluster” of neighboring parishes. The Listening Session for our cluster was planned for tonight, September 19 th . The parishes included Holy Eucharist; Resurrection, Aptos;
St. Joseph 's, Capitola; Star of the Sea and Holy Cross, Santa Cruz . Representatives from each parish would be chosen by the Pastor.
The Pastors considered that more time is necessary to prepare for these Listening Sessions. Bishop Garcia has agreed to postpone the sessions until the New Year.
Fr. Paul considers that we at Holy Eucharist are in a strong position, especially since we have been implementing our five-year plan. He requested that the current members continue on the council to ensure that the plan continues to be implemented and to be able to speak about the plan at any future cluster meetings. We are also in a good financial position since our parish has no debt.
Margaret Kristich and Christopher Wemp have been appointed to the Parish Council, taking the place of Gayle Tosello and Gabe Suarez.
Parish Plan—Sunday, November 4
A power point presentation will be given by the Council. The October meeting will be a
planning meeting for the Spaghetti Dinner and presentation.
Susan Mahan—Faith Formation Report
The Faith Formation Committee has met and will be meeting every 6 weeks. The committee is developing a theme for Advent based on the readings. Fr. Barry Brunsman will facilitate a retreat on this theme on one Saturday during Advent. This will be followed by the Liturgy and a family Potluck.
The Liturgy Committee has also met and is working on an experience of cohesiveness among all aspects of the liturgy and with the church seasons.
As Safe Environment Coordinator, Susan is implementing a program which has been in the diocese for many years. The diocese now wants all parishes to be compliant. Susan organized the fingerprinting morning here at Holy Eucharist to make it convenient for all volunteers to be finger printed.
Patrick King and Mary Cross will facilitate a Bible Study , Gospel of Matthew, to be held
5 weeks in November and 5 weeks in January. The classes will be Thursday evening and Friday morning, so parishioners can attend at the time that is best for them.
Susan has met with Patrick Mooney and is developing a Youth Survey to be administered to the youth in our parish to discover their needs and wants in a Youth Group . She is also meeting with several resources in the neighboring parishes to see what “works for them”.
Faith Sharing: During Lent we will have intergenerational home clusters with sharing and breakout sessions for different age groups and then return to share with the larger group.
It is important to develop a sense of the carism of the parish-the special gift this parish has-
which Susan felt was hospitality in a broad sense. We are already doing this through our “coffee and donuts”, “hospitality” and RCIA.
Events:
Wine Tasting and Auction
About 200 tickets have been sold, 6 wineries have volunteered to participate and 3 caterers will be bringing appetizers. The kitchen staff will also be preparing hors d'oeuvres. Several live and silent auction items have been donated by the community and members of the parish.
Parish Play-Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1
The play this year will be “Oh, Oh, Here comes Christmas”. Joe Yedlicka is the director and there are 10 cast members from the parish. They may have a performance at a neighboring parish.
Parish Needs List
• ADA Bathroom
The bathroom is completed and has passed final inspection with the county
• Bell Tower
Peter Truman has begun the permit process with Santa Cruz County .
All plans and specifications have been turned in.
• Sign with Mass times
Thank you to Gary Smith and Bob Erbe for the great sign and for being so expedient.
AOB
• The Girl Scouts will be meeting here and have adopted the garden in the front of the church.
They have been weeding and planting and will also make stepping stones as one
of their projects.
• Pat Golditch was complemented for bringing the junior-seniors into the Wise Achers.
Pat also suggested a choral reading of the mission statement at the Pastoral Council Meetings.
Closing Prayer – Rev. Paul Murphy
The next meeting will be Wednesday, October 17 at 7:30pm
Candle Prayer: Pat Golditch
Opening Scripture: Tim Walsh
Opening Prayer: Tony Cadiente