St. Raymond Parish Council

February 23, 2009 –7:00 PM

 

1.     The meeting was called to order by Fr. Jack at 7:15 PM.   Father led us in a prayer.

2.     Members present:  Clarence Hazen, Mary Hehli, Larry Julson, Jane Mueller, Claire Parr, Jeff Sauter, Ron Smith, Elaine Welin, Karen Wirtenan and Fr. Hogan.   Absent:  Deacon Larry Agema, Greg LeGare, Sr. Marjorie Hill, Veronica Sigurdson

3.     Minutes from January 26, 2009 were distributed.  No changes were presented.     

 

BUSINESS:

1.     Introduction: 

Father Hogan announced that Gordy Maske, Tom Falbo, James Adams and Andy Deinhammer have indicated they are no longer on the parish council. 

2.     Education Committee:  

a.     Sister was not able to attend the meeting.  Elaine read the report that Sister submitted as follows:

b.    During Lent, students in K-10 will be saving and earning money for the parish mission in Santa Cruz., Bolivia.  There is a need for a catechetical center to be built.

c.      Assessment results from the diocesan testing of students in grades 4 and 8 have been received.  These results will be sent home with students next Sunday.  Categories tested concerned God, the Church and Mary, Scripture, Sacraments, the Christian Life, Prayer/Worship and Conscience Formation.  Although students generally need to improve in most categories, the lowest in general for the fourth grades were the categories on the Church and Mary and Scripture.  The eighth grade also had their lowest scores on Scripture.  The best scores for the fourth grade in general occurred in the category on Sacraments, while the best for the eighth grade occurred in the category on Prayer/Worship.  Informational sheets will also be sent home to parents regarding their child’s lowest score.  Parents will be asked to read these sheets and explain the information to their children to improve their faith-knowledge.

d.    Father Hogan is conducting interview for the Confirmation students.  The students will join those from Sacred Heart-St. Patrick’s Parish in Eau Claire for an evening of Rehearsal, Reflection and Reconciliation on Wednesday, March 11 from 7:00-9:30 PM at St. Patrick Church.  Then on Saturday, March 14, the students will celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation at St. Patrick Church at a 10:00 AM Mass with Bishop Listecki.

3.     Sacred Worship (Liturgy) Committee:   

a.     This committee has met and set up the schedule for Lent. 

b.    There will be Stations of the Cross on Sundays at 5:00 PM followed by Soup & Sandwich Supper.  Knights of Columbus will serve on March 1 and the Liturgy Committee will serve on March 8.  Volunteers will be asked to serve the rest of the Sundays.

c.      Father would like our parishioners to fill out their Lenten Resolutions and put them in a basket.  A form will be created and put in the pews for folks to fill out.  One half will be put in the basket and one half will be kept at home where they can see it during Lent.

d.    Father is adding a Tuesday evening Mass during Lent.  Mass time:  7:00 PM.

e.      Contemporary Choir Rehearsal has been moved to Wednesday at 7:00 PM.

f.      The Children’s Choir will begin practicing on Wednesday evenings at 5:00 PM.

g.     Lenten Communal Penance Service will be held at St. Raymond on Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00 PM.

h.    Jane said the Liturgical Task Schedule will be set up and sent out soon for March, April and May.  She stated she is losing 4 readers for the 10:30 Mass.

4.     Buildings and Grounds:  

a.     Greg was not at the meeting.

b.    It was mentioned that one of the poles in the parking lot were backed into by the parishioner that does our snow plowing.  An incident report will need to be filled out immediately.

c.      Clarence stated that some of the tiles have been replaced in the church. 

d.    It was mentioned that the floor mats by the far doors have been working well and it will be good to have them by all the doors in the parish hall.

5.     Social Concerns: 

a.     Larry reported that the Knights of Columbus had their first Fish Fry on February 27.  It was another great success.

b.    PCCW members will be taking order for hot cross buns.  Money from this will go to the Eleanor Johnson family after they lost everything to a fire.

c.      Cookies were donated and packaged and sent to the Seminarians.

d.    Religious articles will be for sale after each Mass at the upcoming Sundays.  These articles will be just in time for Confirmation and First Communion. 

e.      PCCW is still looking for officers:  President and Secretary.

6.     Pastor’s Report: 

a.     Father handed out a more detailed financial report.  The council members appreciated seeing more detail in the expenditures for each month.

b.    Father said he is no longer using his cane, but he is still being very careful.  The doctor is very pleased with Father’s progress.

7.     What’s the Buzz: 

a.     Pictorial Directories were received with very good comments. 

b.    People are enjoying the picture in the gathering space of the church and made up of tiny photos of parishioners.  This picture poster was provided by Lifetouch at no charge.

c.      Folks that did not have their picture taken by Lifetouch, but wish to have a directory, just need to sign up for a directory.  It was suggested that we charge for a directory, but it was determined not to at this time.

d.    Eleanor and Paul Jacobson will be moving into an apartment in Osseo in March.

8.     Other Business: 

a.     Bob & Janet Lesniewski submitted a letter to the parish council via email.  It was printed out and handed to each council member.  See attached letter to these minutes.

b.    It is urgent that we find a chair person for the Fall Festival Committee. 

c.      Father will set a date for the committee to meet soon.

d.    The committee chair usually can accomplish tasks through all the subcommittees and to get folks to the committee meetings and keep them on task.

e.      Elaine will check with Bob and Janet to see if they have a book of tasks and timelines to pass onto the new chair.

9.     Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.

10.                        Next Meeting:  March 30, 2009 at 7:00 PM in the library.

 

Minutes are respectfully submitted by Elaine Welin, Secretary