St. Francis de Sales Pastoral Council Meeting Minutes November 24, 2015

Attendees: William Bankert, Sylvia Brokos, Viviana Cajigas, Susan Gallagher, Iris Hernandez, Julie Lindner, Erin Perkins, Deacon Jim Sullivan, Father Jack Ward & Carolyn Webster

Absent: Kathy Glover, John Fisher, Rob Hardy, Alice Long, Mary Ann Palmer, Sally Raphel & Ray Traube

Order: Susan Gallagher brought the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Opening Prayer: The Embracing Our Mission – Shaping our Future prayer was said by all.

Approval of Minutes: The October minutes were amended to show that Julie Linder was present and the minutes were passed as amended.

Parish Update

Fr. Jack stated that finances were showing improvement.

There were some complaints that the parish spent too much money to print the annual report.  Fr. Jack wanted everyone to know that the report was prepared by FATA at no charge.

Fr. Jack spoke about the Knights of Columbus and the placing of the flags on the altar.  He stated that he owed an apology to the children’s choir because the ceremony infringed on the choir’s prepared song.

We will celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe at the 11:00 AM Mass on December 13th.

Fr. Jack also reported that the Liturgy Committee will be reaching out for input and/or new members to the African-American and Filipino communities.

Deacon Jim reported that the parish finished in the black.  He also stated that beginning immediately the parish will follow Harford County schools’ closing policies for inclement weather for all activities except the weekend Masses.

 

Jubilee Planning Committee

Because the committee’s usual meeting day falls on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the December meeting is rescheduled to Monday, December 7th.

The Committee will begin selling the SFDS Christmas balls at the Donut Social the first Sunday in December.

 

Ministry Reports

 

Connections: Mary Ann Palmer reported:

The fall retreat went well.

 

 

Faith Formation: Julie Lindner reported:

The children are participating in the Knights’ poster contest.

The Shadow Players will be performing “The Gift” on January 4th, 5th and 6th.

There was a home study meeting.

 

Latino Community: Iris Hernandez reported:

Danny Veles and Anita Rodriguez met with 2 parents of children preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

There will be a Three Kings party for Epiphany.

 

Liturgy: Sylvia Brokos reported:

Fr. Jack had covered the highlights from the most recent meeting.

 

Parish Life: No report.

 

Service: Carolyn Webster reported:

Let’s Do Lunch needs lunch preparers.

Our Daily Bread had 85 casseroles delivered.

Outreach served 285 clients, provided 273 bags of food and assisted 58 families with financial support.

The annual Christmas party is scheduled for December 12th from 8:30—10:30.

Food Pantry is in good shape because we received cases of food from John Carroll H.S. and because our youth group distributed the Bags of Plenty for Thanksgiving.

Outreach will be closed from December 12th through January 7th.

 

Stewardship: No report but see Fr. Jack and Deacon Jim’s comments in Parish Update.

 

Youth: Viviana Cajigas reported:

On October 28th, several of the youth attended a talk on the dangers of heroin and think the same talk should be given at the parish.

October 30 was the annual Trunk or Treat and it went well.

The Dingo on November 6th was successful and raised about $2558.00.

The youth handed out the Bags of Plenty after all of the Masses on 11/8, 11/15 and 11/22.

Both the Latino and Anglo youth groups attended Adoration on November 13th and it was very powerful.  There also was a send-off Mass for those attending NCYC.

Middle school youth assisted with crafts for Turkey pickup day.

On December 4th, the youth will perform service by assembling bingo packets for the Christmas bingo and will also assist with the Breakfast With Santa scheduled for December 9th.

 

Good of the Council:

Thank you to Prince of Peace for their hospitality at the November dinner.

Fr. Jack will be away for the next scheduled Council meeting.  The Council will meet on 1/19

 

Council’s Corner:

Thank you to Prince of Peace for their hospitality at the November dinner.

Thank you for the repair and repainting of the outdoor Nativity.

Thank you to Laura Mattheiss for once again doing the 40 boxes for Lent project.

 

Closing prayer:

The closing prayer was prepared by Julie Linder and said by all.  At the conclusion, the meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sylvia Brokos