Assumption Church Parish Council Minutes

November 13, 2007

 

Council Members Present:  Suzette Fitzgerald, Craig Murphy, Jerry Lesmeister, Carol Burke, Jay Dietz, Paul Rentz, Tom Noel, Dennis Volker, Patti Burns.

 

Members Absent: Carla Riley

 

Staff Present: Father John Caskey, Father Dave Petron

 

Others in Attendance:  Bob Schneider, Chairman of the Assumption Board of Education.

 

The meeting was called to order by Jay Dietz.

 

1.         Opening Prayer:  All present recited The LordÕs Prayer led by Father John.

 

2.         Approval of Minutes:  Craig asked that a clarification be made on the BefriendersÕ report.  Change the word ÒopenÓ to ÒemptyÓ with reference to the Òcup processÓ.

Motion by Jerry, seconded by Dennis to approve the minutes with this clarification.  Motion carried.

 

3.         Approval of Agenda: Motion by Jerry, seconded by Craig to accept the agenda.  Motion carried.

 

4.         Old Business:

            (a)  Boiler project.   No update at this time

            (b)  Parish/School maintenance walk-through.  See JerryÕs report.  Cory fixed the basement window and some of the sidewalks.  TheyÕll be looking into leveling the sidewalks to help with snow removal.  Front church step railings need to be looked at.

 

5.         New Business:

            (a)  Questions, comments or additions to Committee Reports.  Thank you for getting reports in before meeting.

            (b)  Finance committee:  We are under budget for income and also under budget for expenses.  Regarding bulletin advertising: all have been contacted except one.  Most bills have been sent and some money has been collected.  A reminder to parish council committee representatives to have budget requests submitted to the Finance Committee by January 1st.

            - Bob mentioned he would be submitting a bid for additional chairs for the choir.  He was asked to submit the request to the Finance Committee.

 

6.         Calendar Action Items:

            a.  Faith Formation will be organizing kettles to be set up in front of the altar.  Proceeds will be shared by the two groups.

 

            b.  St. NickÕs Party - Set for December 2 after the 10:30 Mass. Activities are held for the children and St. Nick visits.  ÒThe Night Before ChristmasÓ is read.  Craig will call Lois Krump.

            c.  Delivery of plants to families of deceased parishioners.  Plants or cards are sent to families.  This is wonderfully received and members of the council usually deliver the plants. Suzette, Craig, Jerry, Paul, Tom and Patti will help deliver.  Patti will contact former council members who handled this in the past and find out where the plants were ordered, as well as size and price information.

            d.  A question was raised about visiting new members of the parish. In the past a particular Sunday was selected to welcome new members and have a gathering downstairs. Various ideas were discussed regarding the types of information that can be gathered for new members.

            e.  Bob Schneider presented a report for St. MaryÕs Home and School Association.  Items included looking at costs for fire alarms, emergency lighting, and locks. Salary scales are being updated.  Conferences for 5th and 6th grades were well attended.  November 13th was Young Readers Day, the Parade of Lights is November 15th with a potluck afterwards.  A pancake breakfast is coming up.  Volunteers are needed for various events.  Discussion centered on ways to get more parents involved.

 

7.         Discussion Topics:  Lisa Denzer has resigned from the board.  The vacancy will be dealt with after the first of the year.  Jay volunteered to be the liaison to the Parish Health Ministry committee.  Tom will be the liaison for the Social Concerns committee.

            -  Deb Rose and members of the ambulance service will present a training on how to use the defibrillator on November 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the church.  All council members are asked to attend.  An announcement will be placed in the bulletin as well.

            -  After discussion, Jay motioned and Tom seconded a proposal to table the ÒWhy Catholic ProgramÓ until next year.  Motion carried.

            -  Plans for the Thanksgiving Day Dinner are progressing.  Lots of volunteers are signed up to help.  We are still looking for a Host and Hostess couple.

 

8.         Next Meeting:  The next meeting is set for Thursday, December 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Parish house.

 

9.         Closing Prayer:  Father John led us in a closing prayer.

 

10.       Adjournment:  Paul moved to adjourn.  Jerry seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Patti Burns

Assumption Parish Council Member