Minutes from Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
7:00 p.m.
November 11, 2009
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 7:00 p.m.
Attendees
Tim Bushnell Father Thomas Moylan, LC
Laurie Bushnell Mark Rauguth
Andy Romley Robert Hernandez
John Simon Stan Celmer
Wayne Blazek Judy Varley
Jill Blazek Clyde Varley
Lee Canzano Vincent Canzano
Heidi Giroux Gloria Lopez
Opening Prayer
Father Thomas Moylan opened the meeting with a prayer.
Agenda Review
Tim Bushnell read the meeting agenda.
Approve Minutes
The October 2009 minutes were approved.
Finance Update
Mark Rauguth reported that the final fundraising effort for the new church chairs is this weekend. Approximately $5,300 has been collected for the chairs so far. At the last finance meeting, members discussed the parish administrator position and the impact of the additional salary. Mark is following up with the Diocese on the money from the rectory (approximately $80,000). The next Finance Council meeting will be on January 19, 2010.
Administration
John Simon began the parking lot project and has started to get bids. He has also been working with Denise on the parish website, and the site is now updated and current. John will continue to ensure that content is fresh and updated so that people will want to look at it. The closing of the driveway off of the Ellsworth Loop was discussed. It was mentioned that the Town of Queen Creek agreed to open that driveway a couple of years ago, and now they want to close it and keep the no left turn from the west driveway. John will pursue this issue with the Town.
Old Business
Progress on Parish Objectives
Parish Needs Survey: The team (Tim, Robert, John, Elizabeth Martin, Joan Van, Mary Fullerton, Ron Dailey) has been formed; they are meeting every Friday. They are fine tuning some questions for a survey that they want to send out to parishioners.
Parish Functions: Laurie and John have met and they want to put together a policy manual.
They hope to have a first draft by January.
Improve Communications: The committee has met; they brainstormed and came up with six key areas and ideas of how to improve communication within those six areas. The next meeting is in January.
Financial Stability: The committee is formed and they will be meeting in December.
Education System: Ron Dailey is not in attendance, but he is working on a plan.
Academy: The Academy mission statement and new goals have been formed. A Diocesan school board meeting will take place on January 6, 2010, and Father Bennett and Andy will attend. They will propose adding a first grade.
Liturgical Committee: Gloria Lopez is working on forming a committee. Gloria has a considerable amount of research to bring to the table once the committee is formed.
Parish Properties/Facilities: A committee is established; a meeting is planned for December.
Pilgrimage Update
Tim reported that the Pilgrimage Committee met, and they will continue with the same pilgrimage as they have for the past three years. The pilgrimage will be December 9–12. There will be food for the walkers. Security (MCSO) is very expensive; approximately $2,500. There will be a mini-festival this Sunday, November 15 to raise funds for the pilgrimage and the youth groups.
December 9 Parish Pastoral Council
Tim suggested that the Council attend the pilgrimage at Power Rd. and Hunt Highway instead of holding a regular council meeting. The next Council meeting will be January 13.
Altar Server Robes
Father Moylan reported that two altar servers went to try out a couple of samples.
New Business
Academy Funding
Andy Romley reported that the academy is completely tuition-based. One of their goals is to enhance the CTOD funding.
Analysis of Plate Collections
Ron Dailey was not in attendance, but Tim shared an analysis of 2008 and 2009 plate income that Ron created. Quick summary: income has increased 17% over one year. The winter months take in a larger collection of about $1,200 per week over the summer months. The best period for plate income was during Lent; the worst period is June and July. When there is a debt collection, there is no impact to the regular plate. When there is a Diocesan collection, the impact is negative to the regular plate collection. Average attendance is just over 2,600 people.
Suggestions on Getting to Know Parish Pastoral Council
Tim asked for suggestions to see if Council should increase visibility and asked for suggestions for doing so. Ideas mentioned: create a Parish Pastoral Council page; a short bio and photos of members on the website or in the bulletin; short summary of the last meeting; posters; have a table after Masses and meet the Council over coffee and donuts. Tim will get some initial information to John for the website and will bring a camera to the January meeting to take photos of Council members.
Open Discussion
A question was asked about maintenance issues, i.e., who to ask if there is an issue? The issue was presented to John to come up with a solution. One suggestion: a sign should be put up with a contact person to call if there is a facilities-related problem.
Closing Prayer
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Father Moylan led a closing prayer.
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OLG Council President Date
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OLG Pastor/Administrator Date