St. William Catholic Church
Minutes of February 10, 2010 Parish Council Meeting
Members Present:
Msgr. Kenneally, R. Caauwe, A McCann, T. Mikowski, M.P. Reynolds, Bill Horn, K. Durham, Joe O’Brien and C. Favole. Deacon G. Ruehling and C. Roberts at 7:02 with a prayer led by Msgr. John The minutes of the last meeting on December 9, 2009 were approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Facilities Planning:
The water damage in the hall was found to have been caused by an old pipe which is no longer connected to the rest of the system. The pipe has been capped off.
People have been commenting on the fact that the carpeting in the hall needs to be cleaned. It is recommended that the carpet be cleaned four (4) times a year. We have the carpet cleaned once a year. The classroom carpets have not been cleaned in the eight (8) years since the new hall was finished. It is agreed that carpet cleaning should be a budgeted item. Maintenance is under Dcn. Ruehling.
Church and hall expansion and maintenance are planned ahead and there are no changes to report.
Ann McC. requested that the title of Facilities Planning Committee be changed to Building and Grounds Long Range Planning and Facilities Committee. The change was approved.
Mary Pat R. asked about the new wedding booklet. Ann McC. replied that it is not ready yet, but Barbara Pelletier should have it finished before the next Parish Council Meeting.
Ann McCann and Robert Ussery viewed the church and found water damage on the outside wall near the large sacristy. The damage was caused by the sprinkler system and was causing the paint to peel inside. Wiltz Bernard capped off the sprinkler since the plants there are mature and no longer need extra watering.
Religious Education:
Terry Mikowski reported that K-5 is going very well. The Confirmandi will attend a retreat at Kings Bay on February 14th. RCIA Right of Election will be in Savannah on the 21st of February. Catherine Caauwe had a "Catholic IQ" challenge for Adult Formation for the parish on January 31st. It was very well accepted and she intends to have another. Operation Rice Bowl begins the first Sunday of Lent. Vacation Bible School will be a week-long event this year.
Report to be attached
St. Francis Xavier School:
Kathleen also explained the GRACE scholarship program. We were told of the tax advantages and how it is a "voucher system without vouchers."
Kathleen D. reported that St. Francis Xavier School continues to have budget challenges. The budget did not reflect a short-fall each month and proceeds from the Harvest Ball were used to cover the short-fall. Ron Rector will handle the budget for a stipend. This will free Erin Finn to concentrate on her duties as principal. .
Report to be attached.
Parish Outreach:
Bill Horn’s report is attached.
Kathleen D. mentioned that the outreach needs more drivers.
Finance:
Rick Caauwe’s report is attached.
Parish Life:
Minutes of the January 25 meeting are attached.
PASTOR’S COMMENTS:
Nancy Koontz is the Director of Finances. She spoke about the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.
Barbara King is the Director of Communications. She spoke about the Catholics Come Home ad campaign. The ads will be broadcast in Georgia and will reach into parts of Alabama and Florida. The ads will begin in Advent and will run during prime time, 6:00 to 9:00 pm. The ads will have a contact phone number. Catholics, and others, who call will be directed to the nearest parish. There will be training for priests and staff on how to answer questions. Rick Caauwe has agreed to spearhead this effort.
Liam O’Connor is the Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation. He explained how foundations work and will advise individuals on how to set up a foundation. St. William’s has a foundation. We began with $670,000. but it went down a bit last year. It has almost returned to the starting amount. The trustees for our foundation are the pastor, the parish council president and the finance committee president. The foundation is part of the long range planning for the parish.
The next Deanery meeting will be in March. They will meet in Kingsland and then go to St. Mary’s to bless the new church.
Msgr. John attended the Deanery meeting this month. Three officials from the Diocese were there.
OLD BUSINESS
Parish Council Elections:
Mary Pat R. and Carol R. have a list of 20 names. Mary Pat is calling them to see if they would be willing to run. She hopes to have at least 8 people. The elections will be announced in the parish bulletin in April for anyone who wants to volunteer to be listed.
Haitian Fund Raising:
be willing to help. May would be a good month and either a Sunday or Monday, when many restaurants are closed might be a good day for it. He thinks we could raise a nice amount of money with just 100 people.
Joe O’B. put forward the idea of a wine tasting. He said he has experience with them as fund raisers. It could be put on in the parish hall and we could ask for donations of food and wine. He thought maybe the Hospitality Committee would
Parish Twinning:
Bill Horn submitted a report on relief efforts which is attached. He also gave out copies of an article from the Brunswick News about the relief effort. A copy is attached.
Msgr. John will look at the parish budget and see about setting aside an amount which we would commit to sending each month.
Other:
Kathleen D. reminded us that the Rosary for Peace is said in the Chapel every Tuesday at 1:00 pm.
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, April 14, 2010.
Adjournment:
At 8:30 after a prayer led by Msgr. John.
Members Absent:
Deacon George is doing well and may return to work for a few hours next week.
Carol Roberts is still in Haiti.
The meeting opened
Approval of Minutes:
