PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES

MEETING OF 11/15/06

Roll call: Katie Burke, Mary Ann Theby, Mike Behnke, Kathy Rinehart, Murray Mayo, Jane Hogan, Fr. Mark, Lisa Frey, Sandy Patrick, Terry Battaglia, Dave Mazanec, Bob Schultek
Absent: Jacki Calavitta, Louise Cox, David Pastor

Opening Prayer: By Bob Shultek

Minutes Approved: Minutes of the last meeting held October 18th, were approved and seconded. A small correction will be noted – Suzanne Horvath starts in January 2007 not 2006.

Kathy informed council that Mike Peterson has resigned. With his new work schedule is unable to make the meetings

 

Discussion Items:

Bob advised that the discussion topic for the meeting was exploring communication methods that might be most effective in promoting a larger role for the laity in Church decision-making. He began tonight’s discussion by talking about communication in general and its various parts, sender, receiver and the message. He believes that the “how the message is delivered” should also be added to make the 4th part of the communication process, and he reviewed how the method of communication can often affect how a specific communication is received; if a message is received by the receiver as intended by the sender, then it is an effective for communication.

Bob suggested that there are two levels of communication activity – one at the local, diocesan level and another at the national level. On a local level, Bob mentioned that the DPC represents the most organized communication channel, but it doesn’t work as envisioned. He addresses the fact that our Diocesan Rep has only been to Resurrection two times, and that was by our request. Nationally speaking, there are groups trying to have dialogues with their Bishops; some folks are getting a modest, slow response from their Bishops while others are getting no where.

Laity has somehow always been called to meet with the Bishops. MaryAnn wanted to know how do we as Catholics support what we should be concerned with in our churches? Bob talked about the recent DPC meeting in which Bishop Lennon participated. He said that the Bishop spoke positively about his experiences meeting people in the diocese (Cleveland is overwhelming in their Faith), and how he has focused on listening and learning; he then answered questions from the audience as honestly as he could. The finances of numerous parishes are a major concern. MaryAnn stated that financial issues are due to issues that don’t have anything to do with the church (i.e., birth control, washing dishes, etc). Bob responded that Bishop Lennon feels that the financal concerns are due to a shifting of demographics in the communities.

Fr. Mark indicated that standard practice of communicating within the church has always been a Q&A format. Referenced the Call to Action that was started in 1976 with 30 members that is now 13 and how do move dialogue into a different mode? Bob would like to see dialogue come back to a more local level. Fr. Mark indicated that District Reps are heard at District meetings. Bob suggested that the District reps should be reaching to meet with every Parish Council in their district, but that this does not occur. The reps should be seeking to identify common goals or issues among their represented communities, and seeking to share best practices from the represented communities.

Lisa referred to Human experience as the way our education is. Bob said that the sense of Faithful is different in each part of the world. Fr. Mark indicated that we must work for reform but continue to go to church. Katie indicated that conflict is often necessary to get to a solution.

Kathy talked about how laity doesn’t know that there are rights in Cannon Law. Where does our Parish fall in some of the issues and where do they want to see us go? Bob said that we as a church have some strong ideas about to make a church work and would be happy to share it if given the chance. Murray indicated that we need to raise awareness to what Cannon Law really is. By doing this, it will tell us where the Parish is headed. Lisa indicated that Pope Benedict has called for a meeting with the Cardinals to discuss reinstating married priests back into the church.

 

Action items:

1) Education opportunity – rights and Cannon Law (Bob); what’s essential to us as Catholics (Jane).
2) Affirm living the mission and calling Bishops to action. (Lisa)
3) Ministry to the poor: lift those with no voice here and abroad. (Fr. Mark)
4) Sponsor someone from Epiphany to go to the Call to Action conference next year; topic will be racism. (Katie)
5) Is there a way to get dialogue going with DPC (Bob); start a district meeting with a mass to increase participation. (Jane)

Fr. Mark referenced a recent memo from the Bishop indicating that the December 1st date will not work for VPL II and that we should look for responses in February 2007.

 

Business Items:

1) Lots of people from St. Jude were attended the reception here after their closing mass and were very grateful.
a. Many responses for parish were received.
b. Resurrections welcome reception will wait until after the New Year.
c. Of a potential 120 families, Resurrection has signed up 50 families.
d. Suzanne Horvath will do a bulletin board on the history of St. Jude.
2) There will be no December meeting. However, our January 17th meeting will begin at 6:30 with a dinner. Council is asked to provide appetizers and dessert and the Parish team will provide dinner.
3) Dave Mazanec indicated that the By-Laws group will meet after the New Year.

 

Reporting Items:

Some events making headlines include:

• Live Nativity December 16th
• November 19th will be an Interfaith Thanksgiving event.
• Kathy and Bob will be attending the upcoming DPC meeting.
• Big Picture will be kicking off on November 29th.
• November 20th – packing of the Thanksgiving baskets will take place
• December 3rd will the Right of Welcome for RCIA members
• December 14th – there is an Advent Communal service being held at St. Rita’s

Respectfully submitted,

Sandy Patrick
January 4, 2007