Minutes from Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
7:00 p.m.
January 13, 2010
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
20615 East Ocotillo Road
P.O. Box 856
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Tim Bushnell at 7:04 p.m.
Attendees
Tim Bushnell Father Thomas Moylan, LC
Laurie Bushnell Mark Rauguth
Andy Romley Robert Hernandez
John Simon Ricardo Alvarez
Wayne Blazek Judy Varley
Jill Blazek Clyde Varley
Lee Canzano Heidi Giroux
Dcn. David Barraza
Opening Prayer
Father Thomas Moylan opened the meeting with a prayer.
Agenda Review
Tim Bushnell read the meeting agenda.
Approve Minutes
The November 2009 minutes were approved.
Finance Update
Mark Rauguth reported that the Finance Committee is still trying to collect the funds from the sale of the rectory, and they are hoping in the next week or so to have them. Wayne Blazek reported that $8,000 was collected for the new church chairs, and some contributions are still coming in. There is a balance of approximately $4,000 to pay off the chairs. The next Finance Committee meeting is next Tuesday, January 19.
Administration
John Simon reported that he received four bids on the striping and sealing of the west side parking lot. The bids were discussed, and the consensus was to move forward with one proposal, but will wait to proceed because funds are needed from the rectory sale to pay for the project. John met with Troy White of the Town of Queen Creek in December to discuss the driveway situation. The Town asked that John submit a proposal, which he did on January 5, but he has not heard back from anyone yet. Signs are now posted in the washrooms to contact Whitton Plumbing when emergency maintenance is needed. The parish was not receiving any bulletin advertising revenue from the current bulletin publisher, so John contacted another company. Liturgical Publications in New Berlin, Wisconsin, will become the new bulletin publisher sometime in the next month.
Old Business
Progress on Parish Objectives
Improve Parish Structure: The group has been meeting, and their first objective is to develop a survey. Father Moylan approves of the survey draft, and the group is awaiting comments from Father Bennett. The survey will be available on the website and in hard copy format.
Parish Functions (Standard Operating Procedures): Laurie Bushnell and John Simon have met, and they are creating a policy manual. They hope to have the draft finished around the end of January.
Improve Communications: The group met and came up with six key areas, and brainstormed ideas of how to improve communication within those six areas. The next meeting is January 23.
Financial Stability: The committee met in December and identified objectives. They have created assignments for committee members.
Education System: Ron Dailey is not in attendance; no update available.
Academy: The plan is complete and has been submitted to the Diocese.
Liturgical Committee: John Simon and Gloria Lopez will be meeting in the near future.
Parish Properties/Facilities: The committee meeting is set for the end of January.
Tim asks that each group bring their assignments before the Parish Pastoral Council as they are completed.
Altar Server Albs
Father Moylan reported new albs have been ordered. They are red with white on top.
Follow-Up Discussion on Getting to Know Parish Pastoral Council
Tim reported that a web page has been developed for the Parish Pastoral Council meeting agendas and minutes. Parish Pastoral Council member photos will be taken tonight. Father Moylan also suggested that the Council member names and photos be placed in the bulletin.
New Business
Catechesis of Good Shepherd Space
Lee Canzano reported that the Catechesis of Good Shepherd program rooms were downsized mid-year, and they are struggling with the size of the current space to conduct the classes. There is constant moving of equipment in order for the classes to take place, and the ability to share space with the Academy doesn’t work because of the differences in the types of programs. Her desire is to continue the program next year, but would like Council input. She doesn’t want to start next year’s classes the same way that they are now. Lee suggests that the parish purchase a house in the Will Rogers Equestrian subdivision to conduct the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd classes. Council
members asked for some statistics about the program. Lee mentioned that the program starts with
3-year-olds and goes through 2nd grade. The average class size is 10 to 13 students, and the program brings in about $200 a week. The ideal class time is 2 hours a week, six classes with six teachers, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. Tim’s suggestion is to lay everything out on a short-term plan, investigate it through the Parish Property/Facilities Committee, and come forward with a recommendation to Father Moylan.
Discussion on Ministry Presentations at Parish Pastoral Council
Tim mentioned that in January 2009, part of the Ministry discussion was to have different ministries attend Parish Pastoral Council meetings and make short presentations about what they do and what the group’s needs are. He asked that Council revisit the discussion at this time. Heidi Giroux mentioned that one of the Communication Committee’s brainstorming ideas is to have a key contact from each ministry, and is currently one of the topics that the committee is working on. Additional actions will wait for the recommendations of the Communications Committee.
Discussion on 2nd Collections
Tim reported that he has heard from some parishioners that there are too many second collections and asked for feedback. One suggestion was that a “Charity Sunday” be held four times a year, and envelopes could be placed in the pews so that parishioners could designate where they would want their funds to go. Policies to address the loose donations would need to be created. The RE building debt collection would still remain separate. There is more work needed on this topic, but the thought is to continue with second collections. Tim suggests a committee be formed to do additional research and come up with a recommendation about how to address the issue. Robert Hernandez will chair this committee, and Lee Canzano and Laurie Bushnell will assist.
Open Discussion
Tim read an email from a parishioner with suggestions for Parish Pastoral Council to consider:
1. Is it possible to have traffic flow one way in and out of the church parking lot?
2. Can there be designated, marked pews for handicapped/disabled persons?
3. Can there be a bigger and better church bulletin board to advertise church events?
4. Can the songs be projected on an overhead during Mass to save on printing costs?
or
5. Can there be a sign with the song numbers for all parishioners to see?
Tim will thank the person for their suggestions and will build these topics in to the upcoming agendas.
Closing Prayer
The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Father Moylan led a closing prayer. Photos of the Parish Pastoral Council members will be taken for website after the conclusion of the meeting.
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OLG Council President Date
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