The St. John Fisher Pastoral Council held their April meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 7:15 p.m. Council President Mike Noble called the meeting to order at 7:15.
Present: Mike Noble, Pat Dahlberg, Ann Armstrong, Ian Counts, Shirley Giltzow, and John Barbieri. Absent were Viktor Rzeteljski, Christina Britt, Michael Jules, Sean O'Leary, Billie Morgan and Heather Cassano. Also in attendance were Msgr.
Sork, Dave Kurt, Fr. Gruszka, and Bob Keefer, a visitor representing the Seekers.
Shirley Glitzow led the Council in the First Fifteen reflection.
The Minutes of the March 2008 meeting were not available. They will be presented at the next meeting.
A quorum was achieved when the sixth member arrived at 7:35. The First 15 was about to end, and then the meeting proper commenced.
PARISH STAFF REPORT
Fr. Gruszka reflected on his years at Saint John Fisher. His appreciation for the diverse community and the things he learned here were the high points. He also explained his wish for a bilingual Spanish/English parish. The challenges he faced in a dynamic and intelligent parish, he knows, will serve him well in his next assignment.
PASTOR'S REPORT
Holy Week Liturgies
Fifteen priests were present for the Penance Service.
The parish was well prepared for Easter Week with much advance planning. No adult Baptisms were preformed. They will now be spread throughout the year.
Building Update
Dave Kurt explained the architect's frustration with the fire department and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes postponement of approval. Dave will update the Council when final approval has been given.
There will be no grading until September. We are moving slowly to refurbish the former convent into the future rectory. Work will start in the fall or late summer. Dave will inform the Council of the date when City Hall will have its hearing on our master plan and overall environmental impact.
Capital Campaign
Pledges are coming in slowly and payments fulfilling pledges are steady Ian Counts discussed the youth benefit concert for the Capital Campaign which will take place in the church on April 11, 2008. The first youth support of the Capital Campaign grows out of a suggestion by Ian that he made to the Pastoral Council several months ago.
Pastoral Plan Fulfillment Committee Report
WORSHIP - Action Steps Update
- Pat reported the progress we have made. There is a Penance service every three months. There is a Liturgical Environment Committee that has been meeting monthly. Bob Moran and others are asking parishioners to provide input when planning weekly liturgies.
- Action plan for next year is to get a member of the Council to attend the Worship Meeting. Katherine Coolidge requests a representative from the Council to be part of the Adult Education Board. Ann Armstrong volunteered to be the representative.
WORD - Action Steps Update
- A discussion ensued of all the groups currently studying Scripture, of which there are many. The book, "The Mass is Never Ended," will be sold after masses and in the church office. The Parish is encouraged to purchase and use the book for inspiration to rediscover our Mission to transform the world.
- The First 15 has been integrated into most meeting agendas.
The next task is to develop a plan for next year. All members are preparing something for the May and June meetings.
Other Topics
Nominating Committee Update
Four Council members need to be replaced: 2 adult, 1 youth and 1 youth alternate. The committee has been meeting and has a plan starting with testimonials from the ambo after masses on April 11 & 12. Potential members will be recruited, and should have their nominating materials into the office by May 1 to attend the meeting of May 7.
Review DVD - Cardinal Mahony's presentation to the Deaneries on recovering from the sexual abuse scandal, and a financial plan to move forward.
The DVD was viewed for only 15 minutes because of small attendance, and time constraints.
The meeting was formally closed at 9:35, to reopen in executive session..