Saint John Fisher Pastoral Council Meeting: May 6, 2009

Members present: John Barbieri, Christina Britt, Ann Armstrong, Kyle Felsman, Pat Dahlberg, Flo McTaggart, Jay de Miranda, Kathy Keller, Heather Cassano, Msgr. Sork, Dave Kurt, Lisa Hills and Viktor Rzeteljski.

Members absent: Shirley Giltzow, Mia Counts

Guests: Katherine Coolidge (Pastoral Staff), J.L. Garcia, Jeanette Adamowicz, Wally Castelo, Michael Jules, Michael O'Brien, and Diane Hewitt.

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by John Barbieri and the First Fifteen reflection was led by Viktor Rzeteljski. Sharing followed.

Minutes from the April 7, 2009 meeting were discussed. Several corrections were made. Heather Cassano moved and Flo McTaggart seconded the motion and the minutes were approved unanimously, as amended.

Staff Report by Katherine Coolidge, Director of Evangelization

Katherine introduced herself and gave a brief job description. She directs ministries involved in adult faith formation, including ministry training, outreach to alienated Catholics and she also directs the RCIA program. Also, she oversees stewardship, a new assignment. She said stewardship is recognizing our gifts and returning to the Lord. Part of this is helping parishioners to discern gifts which she does in collaboration with other members of the Pastoral staff. Part of her job overlaps with Nick Masero as Coordinator of Youth and Social Outreach. She sees no conflict with this as they seek a common goal. There is much discussion, sharing and emailing between Katherine and Nick and other staff members. Msgr. Sork said that he deliberately sets up overlapping tasks so that people to not establish "kingdoms."The two ministries (Katherine's and Nick's) serve different age groups but the complement one another.

John Barbieri thanked Katherine for her service and then reads the Mission Statement of the Pastoral Council, linking it and the Pastoral Plan itself to evangelization. He then mentioned that later in the evening there would be elections to fill three upcoming vacancies on the Pastoral Council, and described the election process.

Msgr. Sork added that the election was more of a process, a discernment process. He said a question to be considered is "will the new Pastoral Council be a microcosm of the Parish?" He reiterated that it is a prayerful discernment process.

Pastor's Report

Msgr. Sork gave a Building Project Update and mentioned that although the City Council of Rancho Palos Verdes voted 3-0 to approve the Project, several neighbors of SJF challenged the decision by filing a lawsuit stating that an environmental impact report should have been required by the City of RPV. SJF has had to hire an attorney to deal with this situation.

Dave Kurt added that only the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the City of RPV were named in the legal action, and that he, Msgr. and the attorney have been in contact with attorneys for the Archdiocese and the City. He said a meeting was scheduled for May 19th and that the SJF attorney will do a very good job.

Msgr. Sork reported that the Archdiocese Building Committee gave the go-ahead to remodel the convent into the new rectory. He also said the Committee questioned some costs associated with the new church building and asked that this issue be revisited by the Parish building committee. He hope the remodel of the convent would commence before the end of this summer (2009). Dave Kurt added, with respect to the lawsuit, that SJF has really given a lot to address all the objections by the neighbors, and that there is nothing left to give.

Msgr. then reported on the search for a new Director of Religious Education, to replace Eileen Loughran who is retiring in June. He reminded the Council that Eileen has been at SJF since 1976 and has been DRE since 1979. He commenced a nationwide search for a replacement. A search committee was formed that consists of Mary Kessler, Dave Kurt, Chris Liu, Ann Marie Houdani and John Barbieri. The committee will interview applicants on May 17th and submit the names of the finalists to Msgr. for selection.

Msgr. also announced that a going away party and celebration of Eileen Loughran;s service to SJF would be held on June 20th, beginning with Holy Mass at 5 p.m. and continuing with a reception at Barrett Hall afterward. Margaret Johnson is heading the committee for the event and John Barbieri, Donna Scoular and Michelle Seaton are assisting.

Msgr. mentioned concern over the Swine Flu, and said the The Cup is probably the least possible way of contracting the bug. He said the ministers do not come into contact with the species. He said we were more likely to be affected by offering the sign of peace.

Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP)

John Barbieri asked Lisa Hills to report on the recent Women's Weekend for Christ Renews His Parish, and reminded Council members that the Council voted to endorse and promote the Retreat. Lisa said that 18 women attended and were transformed by the Retreat experience, all in different ways. She mentioned that the outgoing team is Page Three

working with the incoming team for a smooth transition for the planning of next year's Retreat. She said the outgoing team is in the process of discerning where they might be called to Parish ministry. She said the end result is the constant renewal of the Parish. John noted that the majority of applicants to fill vacancies on the Pastoral Council came from CRHP, evidence that the renewal process is alive. He said he was a doubter at first, but that his own experience during the men's retreat weekend convinced him of the merit of CRHP at SJF. Lisa emphasized that CRHP is a process.

Pastoral Plan

Ann Armstrong gave an overview of the fulfillment plan for the Pastoral Plan (action items). She said that Worship, Word, Service and Community had all effectively completed their tasks with some items being continued into the new year.

Msrg. Sork added that fulfillment of the action items and the Pastoral Plan is all about evangelization, and that the "Four Pillars" of the Pastoral Plan are rooted in the Church's mission as an evangelizing church.

John announced that the annual joint meeting of the Pastoral Council and the Pastoral staff will take place on May 30th, beginning with Holy Mass at 8 a.m. and the meeting in Fireside Room to follow, with breakfast served.

Campaign 21

John said that the Council needs to be prepared to answer questions about Campaign 21 and the Parish Building Project, and that he is working on a "Frequently Asked Questions" brochure to assist PC members and others. He anticipated that questions would increase once ground is broken for the convent remodel.

THE PASTORAL COUNCIL WENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 9:15 P.M.

John Barbieri introduced the candidates for election to the Pastoral Council to fill the three vacancies created by the departure of Pat Dahlberg, Shirley Giltzow, and Heather Cassano. The candidates present who gave self-introductions were Michael Jules, Michael O'Brien, Wally Castelo, Jeanette Adamowicz, and J.L Garcia. One applicant who could not attend was Janice Cannady.

Following self-introductions and a brief question and answer period, the candidates were excused and the Council was led in prayer by Msgr. Sork. The Council then deliberated and discussed the candidates. All agreed that all the candidates were outstanding.

A vote was taken and Wally Castelo, J.L. Garcia, and Michael O'Brien were elected to serve on the Council commencing in September 2009.

Msgr. Sork suggested that those not elected be encouraged to serve on the newly formed Stewardship Committee.

Following the Closing Prayer, the meeting adjourned at 10 p.m.