St. Ann Parish Council Meeting

November 17, 2011 

In Attendance:           Father Tom, Doug Moore, Laura Nickol, Kelli Lackman,  Dan Cleary, Jeff Frank, Karen Brandt, Liz Jones, Bill New,   Terry Bracken, Dave Nagel, Teresa Morabito, Lois Anderson and  Tim Clifford

Absent Excused:  Linda Smith, Doug Amend

 Opening Prayer:   Bill New 

“ Restoring Order and Human Dignity” presentation was given to Parish Council by Archdiocese Social Action Office and Advocates for Justice regarding Church’s  teaching on migration and dignity for immigrant persons living in our community.  Each parish council member was asked to complete an evaluation form regarding the presentation -  Father Tom will have further information and updates in bulletin and/or newsletter.

 September 15^th minutes approved by email consensus. 

Commission Reports

            Christian Outreach (Terry Bracken)  Fr. Jorge’s recent visit was well received.  He visited OLG School - Principal, Sally Hicks, promised to re-institute the Pennies for Peru Collection.  Father had a tour of LaSalle High School including his “first football” game.  He was also given a tour of Cincinnati with dinner at various restaurants.  Over $700 was collected on Mission Sunday for Pennies For Peru.    Four of our parishioners had a recent visit to Lord of Hope at which time they were presented with a Peru Nativity set and wall hanging of Machu Pichu. Exact locations of where they will be displayed is to be determined by Art and Environment/Liturgy Commission.     Food collection will again be held at the Thanksgiving Mass.   Giving Tree to be set up on November 26^th in the Gathering Space.  St. Nick Party in Hazard Kentucky will be Saturday, December 3^rd.  Coat Drive is January 14/15^th. 

            Communications (Dave Nagel) - No meeting in October -  Parish Council will be featured on the monitor weekend of December 17^th/18^th -  It was also suggested that PPC members be greeters at all the masses that weekend.

            Finance (Steve Lang and Tim Clifford)  - Our conversion to QuikBooks is on hold due to upcoming Archdiocese designating a required system for all parishes. We will implement new Finance reporting to Parish Council - Due to time issues, we will only report current month to Finance Commission, however, use prior month for PPC Reports.  This is to enable a more accurate report - difficult to have month closed out by Parish Council meeting date.    Annual Report will be provided in upcoming Newsletter. 

               Facilites (Tim Clifford) - Recent flooding expense was approximately $3500 with parish cost of $2,000 (our insurance deductible per occurrence).  All School, Lunn Center and St. Francis Center will be switched to K-8 lighting over the Christmas break - Work is being done by Seco Electric who offered an attractive package – school’s utility payment will remain the same and savings from the lighting changes will apply toward paying down the charge for new light  with total pay out over a three year period and no initial cost to the parish.  This will be a significant cost reduction to the parish.

            Building and Grounds - Sidewalk to rectory will be replaced with concrete by Jeff Frank Builders at an approximate cost of $6,000.  Current walkway is dangerous with uneven bricks and water backup - The area will be landscaped for better water drainage.  Finance Commission and Parish Council approved the expenditure of $6,000.  

            Archdiocese Meeting (Father Tom and Tim Clifford)

            All prior five year end reports were completed and presented to Richard Kelly (CFO) as well as Steve Berger.  They have agreed that current parish debt total should be given a credit of $200,000 for recalculation of the general assessment.  Father Tom will meet with Archbishop Schnurr in an attempt to finalize interest charge calculation. 

            Laity (Bill New)   “Over 55 Group” Meets each second Tuesday of the month with 15-20 people - All parishioners over 55 years of age are welcome. “Legion of Mary” Visit Catholic residents of Lake Ridge Villa and Heartland to distribute Holy Communion and pray the rosary.  Current five active members who meet every Tuesday. On the fourth Sunday of each month, the officers attend a Senatus meeting at the Little Sisters of the Poor.  “Cursillo” - Honored this year with the ordination of Bishop Joseph, a Cursillista.  Focusing on purpose to persevere in Peity, Study and Action.  “Delightfully Delicious” - Ministry assists with meals for parishioners who have returned from hospital etc.   Consists of 47 volunteer parishioners - During the past year 20 meals prepared and delivered.  Five parishioners, along with their families, were served meals or given gift cards.

             Liturgy (Teresa Morabito)   No Meeting in October.

             Stewardship (Reported by Tim Clifford)  Long Range Planning Committee is being revisited - Suggestion was made that Parish Mission Statement should be reviewed since last statement was completed in 1986.  “Living Your Strengths” presentation by Leisa Anslinger is scheduled for Tuesday, February 7^th at 7:30 PM.  All Commission members are encouraged to attend - PPC Commission representatives are asked to notify their respective commission members accordingly.  “Rediscovering Catholicism” Book Discussion group has five regular attendees and has been positive.  Tim Clifford attended the National Stewardship Conference and has some excellent ideas as to parish initiatives.       

 Staff (Father Tom)   In the future we will be providing a “yearly” misalette in lieu of the current quarterly issues.  New Roman Missal response changes have now been made a part of the Hymnals.   Father will include an article in the bulletin regarding low cost of Worship Aids since this has been a question raised.   

All Commission Representatives are requested to confirm to Laura their alternate delegate in order to update our PPC Roster. 

FUNDRAISERS

            Bonanza Cash Raffle -  $100 ticket sales went well the weekend of November 12/13^th -  Encourage sales outside of parish and continue to be visible to the parish as well through weekend sales etc.

            Bunco - January 21^st - No report available.

            Chicken Dinner - March 25^th -   Laura reported things are moving along with planning for the fundraiser -  If they so desire, Commissions are being asked to either donate gift cards or money to purchase cards for our Gift Card Tree.    We need everyone’s participation to again make this fundraiser a success. 

OLD BUSINESS

            Building and Grounds -  In process of setting up a meeting.

            Reestablishment of Education Commission -  Has not yet happened with Father being out of the country most of October. 

Our Parish Council Christmas Party will be held Thursday, December 15^th, at the rectory.   Father Tom will take care of food arrangements. 

Next meeting will be February 16^th -  Reminder to Kelli Lackman that Nominating Committee will need to be put in place by that date.

 February Prayer Leader - Father Tom

 Laura Nickol
Secretary