The St. John Fisher Pastoral Council held a monthly meeting on December 5, 2007. Council President Mike Noble called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm.
Present: Msgr. Sork, Dave Kurt, Robert Keefer (visitor from Seekers), Mike Noble, Pat Dahlberg, Viktor Rzeteljski, Christina Britt, Ann Armstrong, Maxim Ofina, Michael Jules, Anne Marie Hudani, and John Barbieri.
Absent: Ian Counts, Sean O'Leary, Shirley Giltzow, Billie Morgan, and Heather Cassano..
John Barbieri led the Council in the First Fifteen reflection.
The Minutes of the November 7, 2007 meeting were approved as presented.
PASTOR'S REPORT
Update on capital campaign
Dave Kurt explained we have 756 pledges, for $15,900,000. The Capital Committee is meeting frequently. Letters are being mailed to people who have requested a contact. Letters are also going out to parishioners that the council believes need a contact. There will be 6 to 8 callers. The semi-annual and annual pledges are coming in. We should be at $4 1/2 or $5 million by the end of the year. We are at $3 1/2 million. Thirty-nine people have asked for time to think about their pledges. The SJF School parents are going to call people who have not pledged.
The $15 million goal was based on a feasibility study. We didn't know what the project would cost. We had to hire an architect to get the design and estimated costs
Phase I is for the church, the renovation of the convent to a rectory, and conversion of the present church to a youth activities center.
Phase II is for the new administration building, new school library and the preschool.
$23 million will satisfy everyone's dream.
Update on building project
A civil engineer is changing the grading plans.
There is a proposal for a traffic study. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has no one on staff to handle the CUP process, so the work has been outsourced. The person doing the study believes that traffic would be impacted by having sports indoors during rain, and increased use of the art room. There may be a slight delay, but this could be worked out in the next month.
The architect and project manager, Luigi, are involved in negotiations. The City Planner said she is not worried about our plan for parking. There will be traffic counters at the three intersections of Crenshaw at Crest, at Crestridge, and at Silver Spur. These intersections have below "B" concentration ratings. They will be checking to see if these intersections still have "B" concentrations.
Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe
Pat Dahlberg displayed the poster and flyers being used for the Mass on 12/16/07.
Simbang Gabi
Bishop Oscar Solis will be here at the request of the Philippine community for this celebration on 12/16/07. The mass will be in conjunction with the youth mass with a reception following. We have 300-400 Philippi no families, or more than 10% of our congregation. They will share their traditions with the whole parish. There will be food for 300, music with the youth choir, and a free will donation will go to Bishop Solis.
Penance Service
Monday, December 17, 2007 at 7:30. There will be 13 to 14 Priests for confession.
Youth Ministry
We have not had a Youth Minister since July. The Search Committee will soon be formed with Celeste Cummings as the Chairperson. There will be two youths to help process two perspectives:
- into Life-Teen.
- Not into Life-Teen.
The 5:00 Mass has increased youth involvement.
- 54 youth are welcome ministers (greeters/ushers)
- 11 are lectors
- 15 are leaders – prayers of the faithful
- 5-6 Eucharistic ministers
- 5 young ladies trained in Liturgical dance
- 8 weekend retreats planned for January and April 2008
- Outing planned for Mountain High Ski Resort
- Youth day in February 2008
Epiphany Party, January 5, 2008
Put on by Pastoral Staff for all employees, all school employees, Pastoral Council, and Finance Council
Parish Staff Report
School Update
- Ann Marie gave the report as follows:
- 55 new students
- 27 kindergartners
- 179 families
- 249 students
- Receiving calls from new families and meeting with them now
- Changed from Introduction to Latin to Introduction to Spanish for middle school
- The Kindergarten teacher is leaving in January. Interviewing new teachers now
Room 109 is now for consultation, resources and special education
- More children every year need special help.
Celeste and Anne Marie redesigned the school web site. It is up-to-date and interesting. Can access the school web site through SJF web site.
Mrs. Butler, 5th grade teacher at SJF received an award as the "Educators of the Year," for the PV Peninsula area.
Introduced grade link, 24 hours a day, so parents and students can check their progress.
Standard test results: 8th grade in 90% percentile.
All grades above 70th percentile.
Math grades have improved with much hard work
School Council
School Board is moving forward with contacting 2500 alumni. Board feels it is important to invite all alumni to January 25, 2008 open house.
The strategic action plan is for: salaries, a tech person, and extra money for resource center.
All alumni will be invited to school open house so people can see how school has progressed.
There is a need for a marketing budget similar to other private schools in the area.
February 9, 2008 fund raiser. The Mayor of Rolling Hills Estates, President of Marymount College and Director of Development for Chadwick School will be invited.
The School Board has the following branches: development, finance, alumni relations, marketing, and facilities.
There are eight members who serve 2 year terms.
Elections will be held at the end of this year. The terms are staggered for no more than two years each.
Pastoral Plan Fulfillment Committee Report
Viktor gave a report on the "Christ renews his parish retreat." Ted French, Michael Coolidge, Viktor, John Sealick are all helping out. Men's retreat on April 19 and 20, women's on April 26 and 27. The format is interactive with all Catholic sacraments. Will start Saturday morning and end on Sunday evening. A location is being sought. The retreats will be held twice a year, two for men and two for women. They will continue for as long as there is interest. They will stress involving new parishioners.
Other Topics
Website update - Meeting with and Rick Daniels, Mike Noble is striving to make the website more robust. Mike will take the responsibility of updating.
First 15
Is everyone comfortable with the First 15? All are encouraged to read the scripture before the meeting. The person responsible for First 15 should form a question for discussion and be prepared to start the discussion. Msgr. Sork asked the council to think of provocative questions.
Other Topics
Mike Noble was highlighted in the December Impact. Mike will make a schedule for members to be in future issues. He will receive e-mails from the staff of a bio and picture. The deadline for Impact for January is December 12.
Mike also suggested a Christmas gift of Foyle's War on DVD. There are four seasons available everywhere. An amazing series.
Special meeting with Parish Council and Staff on January 14
Council members should come prepared to speak on how you contribute to the Pastoral Council and what you do in real life.
Msgr. Sork led the council in a closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teddy Sparrman