Saint John Fisher Pastoral Council Meeting: February 4, 2009

Members present: John Barbieri, Christina Britt, Shirley Giltzow, Ann Armstrong, Kyle Feldsman, Pat Dahlberg, Flo McTaggart, Jay de Miranda, Kathy Keller, Mia Counts, Heather Cassano, Msgr. Sork, Dave Kurt

Members absent: Viktor Rzeteljski.

Guests: Paul Leo (Seekers) and Des Armstrong.

The meeting opened at 7:15 with First Fifteen reflection led by Heather Cassano.

Minutes from the February 4, 2009 meeting were discussed. Heather Cassano moved and Flo McTaggart seconded the motion and the minutes were approved unanimously.

Follow-Up Presentation on Christ Renews His Parish by Dennis Branconier

John Barbieri made a minor change to the agenda and introduced Dennis Branconier to address the PC once again on the matter of the Christ Renews His Parish (CHRP) retreat. Dennis strongly recommended that every member of the Pastoral Council attend the retreat. He mentioned that announcements were made at Masses and tables were set-up outside the church to promote the retreat. He also said that personal invitations had been mailed. He reminded us that Viktor Rzetelski is the Pastoral Council Liaison to CRHP.

Pastoral Council Vacancy

Dave Kurt had offered that parishioner Lisa Hills was interested in serving on the Pastoral Council and suggested she would be an excellent choice to fill the vacant unexpired term. Guest Dennis Branconier also endorsed the idea. After a brief discussion it was decided that John Barbieri would contact Lisa.

Introduction

John Barbieri introduced Nick Masero as the new youth and social justive outreach coordinator for St. John Fisher, and invited Nick to give a presentation at the April Pastoral Council meeting.

Pastor's Report

Msgr. Sork updated the Council on the progress of the Building Plan, stating that the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council was expected to approve the condition to the building project at its next meeting. He said the Building Committee would be meeting to chart the course forward.

Msgr. Sork reported on the funerals of Glover Sanders and Shirley de Miranda.

Msgr. then introduced the video presentation "Panel Discussion on emerging Leadership Models," produced by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, stating that three models exist for future Parish leadership within the Archdiocese.

Video Presentation (Part 1 of 3)

Cardinal Mahony opened the video by stating that in the Eucharist each mystery is the preeminent source of spiritual grace. He said that we must examine pastoral leadership in light of changing Church demographics.

Dennis Young moderated the video panel discussion explaining the plans. For example, under one option, two parishes would be placed under one administrator, called a Parish Life Director, so that resources would be shared. One priest would serve two parishes under this model.

A Parish Life Director is someone other than a priest. This would allow priests to devote more time to pastoral needs of the parishioners and free them from most administrative tasks. A Parish Life Director is professionally trained. This person is different from a Pastoral Associate who job is to assist the priest in pastoral matters.

During the discussion Msgr. Sork said that Parish Life Directors are assigned like priests by the Archbishop. It is happening now within the L.A. Archdiocese.

Parish Staff Report by Grant Hungerford, Director of Music

Grant gave his personal history and an overview of the music ministry at St. John Fisher. He has been at SJF for 18 years. He began doing music for weddings, then became the teen choir director and eventually music director. He has been a musician since childhood and primarily played the trumpet and the piano. His early music education included studying under the lead trumpet player for the L.A. Philharmonic and continued to study music in high school and college. He did some commercial music but was trained as a symphonic musician. He lived and worked in New York for a number of years but eventually returned to L.A. After he was married and got involved at SJF he became even more interest in the Catholic Church, its history and tradition with music. He believes his job is not about the technicalities, but about the Holy Spirit that unfolds every day and is manifested in Church Music. He is involved in the Liturgy Planning Team and the Youth Liturgy Planning Team. His discussed the choirs of SJF.

John asked how the PC can be of assistance to the music ministry, being mindful that all ministries are being asked to sacrifice during these difficult economic times.

Ann Armstrong asked how the Children's Choir is organized, how can the 9 a.m. Family Mass be more oriented toward the kids and how can we get more kids to sing.

A great deal of discussion ensured about Children's music, rehearsals needed, cantors, and volunteers.

Jay de Miranda said that SJF is Blessed by the superior music we enjoy, superior to much of what he has experienced through the world a different churches. John echoed Jay's words.

Grant said that the Music Ministry has professionals on staff such as pianists and cantors and that this is necessary for the fulfillment of the mission of the ministry. They are compensated to come to rehearsals and Masses. He noted that the volunteers choir members feel lost when the professionals are not present for rehearsals.

Grant also mentioned his effort to attract funds to the Music ministry aimed at offsetting recent budget cuts.

Pastoral Plan Fulfillment Committee

Ann reported that those responsible for the Action Items for fulfillment of the Pastoral Plan will report at next month's meeting. Msgr. Sork implored the PC to move quickly so that the PC can prepare the items for the coming year.

OTHER TOPICS

PC Vacancy

The PC unanimously welcomed and approved of the idea to ask Lisa Hills to serve on the Council. A formal vote will be taken at the March meeting.

Parish Mission

John Barbieri said that the PC has been asked to host an informational table at the March Parish Mission. This would involve staffing a table before and after one of the presentations. John will get more information and report at the March meeting. It was generally agreed to be a good idea to promote the PC and the Parish Mission, as well as some of the activities at the parish.

Finance Council

John reported that at a Pastoral Council workshop he attended that it was recommended that there be regular updates on parish finance given to the Pastoral Council. Msgr. Sork noted that he is the Chair of the Finance Council, and asked Dave Kurt to give a future update. It was suggested that some members of the Finance Council visit the PC in the future.

Deanery Meeting

John encouraged all PC member to attend the March 18th Deanery meeting at American Martyrs Church in Manhattan Beach. This is for parishes in the San Pedro Region and Archdiocese and parish finance issues will be discussed as well as other issues. Last year's meeting, it was noted, dealt with parish assistance to the Archdiocese settlement resulting from the clergy abuse cases. He noted that there are alternate dates and locations for those unable to attend on March 18th.

The meeting adjourned at 9:33 p.m. with a closing prayer.